Jump Start # 3946
Numbers 16:3 “And they assembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in their midst; so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord.’”
Our verse today illustrates the turmoil that many leaders experience. Someone disagrees with you as a leader and they want you out and someone else, usually themselves, in as a new leader. When the spies came back and delivered the bad news about the promise land, the call went out, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt” (Num 14:4).
Now a couple of pages later, action is being taken. Korah had gotten 250 others to join him in confronting Moses. They are ready for a coup, a mutiny. Out with Moses and in with Korah.
What Korah failed to realize is that the Lord had chosen Moses and the Lord was leading the nation. This wasn’t Moses’ idea, it was the Lord’s. Who went to the mountain top to meet the Lord? Moses. Who went to Pharoah and demanded the release of Israel? Moses. Who brought down the tablets of stone? Moses. Who worked the plagues in Egypt? Moses. There had been no election that put Moses at the top. Korah missed all of this. And, it didn’t end well for these rebels. The earth opened and swallowed up their families and all their possessions. The text says that “they went down alive to Sheol” (16:33), which brings up all kinds of interesting thoughts and questions which I doubt we know the answers to.
But, this puts before us an interesting thought. What to do when one disagrees with the leaders? That happens. It happens today. Politically it happens. It happens at work. But, here, I want to focus in on the church. What happens when I disagree with the elders in the congregation? That happens. It sometimes is the cause of people leaving. Some have started another congregation because of their disagreement with elders.
Some thoughts:
First, unlike Moses, shepherds are not directly chosen by the Lord. The congregation appoints men to the leadership role. Some are appointed to that position simply because they are “good guys.” The problem is being a “good guy” is neither one of the qualifications listed Biblically nor is it a great leadership trait. God’s presence was apparent with His glory in the tent. Pillars of clouds and smoke and God directly talking to Moses is unique to that time period. There is a lot of judgment, some good and some not so good in the appointing of shepherds.
So, we must realize that leaders in the church today are not perfect. Like you, they are on a journey. They sin. They make mistakes. Sometimes they drop the ball. Sometimes things fall through the cracks. Most are trying their best. Most truly love the congregation and would do all that they could to see people become closer and stronger in the Lord. We must keep this in mind.
When I disagree with leaders, I might think my way would be better. It might be. I must realize that they put a lot of thought and prayer into their decisions before they launch them out to the congregation. They are thinking about the young, the elderly, the weak and the strong. My perspective may not include all of that.
When I disagree with leaders is it something that is Biblically wrong or just an idea or judgement to help the congregation? Biblically, we all stand upon the passages of God’s word. In most cases, it’s pretty black and white as to what a church ought to do. The other stuff, weekend meetings, special classes, singings, I may not be thrilled about those things, but they are not Biblically wrong. Feeding the church is in the wheelhouse of what shepherds are supposed to do. As a member, I may not want to go to those things. I may not think that I need those things. The shepherds may differ with me on that. It may be that I do need those things. Part of the relationship within the makeup of a congregation is that the sheep are to follow the shepherds. We are to submit to the elders. Protesting, refusing to go along, bad mouthing, trash talking isn’t helpful.
We recently had a special singing workshop here. We brought in Tim Stevens. Love Tim. He’s so good. The thing is, I can’t sing well. I don’t understand music. Most of what he talked about I was clueless about. I could have stayed home. I didn’t. I went with the idea that maybe after all of these years I will finally learn something. I did. I went to encourage others. I went because the shepherds wanted us to have this.
There is far too much, “I’m not going because I don’t want to,” spirit these days. As a disciple you were supposed to deny yourself before you followed Jesus. Denying self means I’ll do things because it’s the right thing to do.
Second, when you disagree with the leaders, don’t lead a rebellion. That’s what Korah did. He came with 250 others to protest to Moses. How did the 250 others know how each other felt? There had been some talking going on. There was a plan, which implies they had secret meetings before this. God hates those that sow discord is what we find in Proverbs. So, don’t drum up the masses. Don’t hold private meetings. Don’t make grand plans to storm the palace and take things over. NO. If something isn’t right, with Bible in your hand, you go and meet with the shepherds. Talk it out calmly. Listen to what they say. Search the Scriptures. If you feel that the church is being led away from God’s word, then you leave. If it is a matter of dislike, learn to live with it and be helpful.
Third, pray, pray, pray. Pray for your leaders before and after you meet with them. Pray that your heart, your attitude and your eyes see clearly what God’s word teaches. Sometimes our hearts get ahead of our minds and we make rash decisions based upon emotions rather than Biblical principles. Don’t be too good or too big to apologize to the leaders. Don’t be so stubborn that you cannot forgive them.
Church history clearly shows that congregations have taken a turn away from God’s word and started practices that are not found in the Bible. Leaders must be able to defend their actions based upon God’s word. Those that can not or will not, will be responsible for those who leave because they want to stand with the Lord.
Disagreeing with Leaders—that could be a powerful study. Some have not done well with how they disagreed, just ask Korah.
Roger