Many years ago, I heard a man preach from Numbers 11.

Numbers 11 tells the story of how Moses got angry and overwhelmed because of the burden of leading the stubborn Israelites. He tells God he would rather die than have to bear this burden alone. In response, God tells Moses to find seventy leaders to help share the load.

“I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them,” God says, “and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone” (Numbers 11:17).

After reading the passage, the preacher took an interpretive turn that troubled me then—and still does.

He viewed God’s action—distributing the Spirit among 70 other leaders—as God’s way of punishing Moses for complaining. “See what will happen,” he warned, “when you complain, pastor? God will make you share authority with others.” Those were almost his exact words.

In the mind of that preacher, a pastor should hoard his authority, not share it.

But authority-hoarding is not the point of that story in Numbers 11, and it is also a unwise pastoral practice.

Refreshingly different is the practice encouraged by Jonathan Leeman in his book Authority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing:

“When the leader ‘on top’ is characterized by generously giving authority to his lay elders and others in the church, he shapes the church’s culture in wonderful ways. It helps to keep the gospel uppermost, focusing the church members’ eyes on gospel purposes rather than on the leader” (p. 106).

Consider this excerpt:*

“In an environment where authority is jealously guarded, relationships are characterized by politics and strategy. Guards remain up, vulnerabilities are not exposed, and transparency diminishes. But when people feel empowered, they are more likely to be transparent and honest.

[Sharing pastoral authority] . . . 

• keeps a church from being tribalistic. A man who continually gives away authority teaches those around him that he is most interested in the success of the gospel, regardless of who’s leading (see Phil. 1:12ff.)
• encourages church members to share resources. When I see the leader is not out for himself, I too become inclined to give to others.
• destroys natural social hierarchies. Members interact as equals. Why? Because the gospel is kept at the center. We’re all sinners saved by grace.
• cultivates trust. When I see the leader is not out for himself, it’s easier to trust his motives, even when he is asking me to make a sacrifice.
• cultivates teachability and the willingness to receive criticism. Again, if I trust the man, I become more willing to listen to his criticisms of me. I trust they are rooted in love rather than one-upmanship.
• promotes a willingness to forgive. When a leader is quick to forgive the faults of others, he will be more willing to entrust others with authority.. That in turn will help others to do the same.
• encourages the church to be training-minded. A church that sees a pastor continually work to train and empower others will have a hard time not catching the vision and sharing it. They will see all the fruit.
• helps a church to be outward focused.”

I hope and pray that my church and other churches would experience the flourishing that can be enjoyed under this kind of leadership!

*Edited to include bullet points.

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A.I. was not used in the writing or editing of this post.