Do you have the ability to recognize the voice of wisdom? Are you able to receive the word of God from an unexpected source? Your answers will determine your leadership character.

Then the word of the Lord came to me saying: “before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

The Lord spoke these words to Jeremiah which confirmed that he was called by God to be a prophet or leader of His people. Most leaders of the church will tell you that they have received a similar call from God to be a pastor or minister.

Upon receipt of this commission from God, it is important that the leaders set apart themselves to study His word, and devote quality time to pray so that they can be sensitive to the voice of God.

Their duty is to receive and be obedient to God so that they can teach and lead the believers efficiently.

It is a huge responsibility which should not be taken lightly because it does not only involve teaching or preaching, but they are also responsible for the overall wellbeing of the members of the church.

Psalms 23 demonstrate the work that is involved in caring for the sheep. The same measure that you give to your congregation is the same measure that God will return to you.

Sometimes leaders tend to be controlling and want to do everything themselves instead of delegating duties. Their mannerism suggests that God speaks only to them.

Moses was one of the greatest leaders in the Bible. He communicated with God face to face as a man speaks to his friend. The Lord further stated that He did not talk to Moses in proverbs or by dreams but as a man speak to his friend.

Even though Moses was a mortal human, the supreme God considered him to be a friend. How could Moses achieve this level of intimacy with God? It has to do with his characteristics.

The Lord disclosed to Moses His plans for the children of Israel and Moses never made a decision without first consulting with God.

But I find it quite intriguing that God deliberately did not counsel Moses in the way he should judge the people even though Moses was doing it incorrectly. Every day the people would line up outside Moses’s tent to bring him their problems and dispute, and he would judge the people from morning until evening.

Obviously, this method of judgment was tiresome and stressful. But Moses stood in front of the people to judge them day after day in addition to his other duties. Perhaps he thought that he was the only one capable of doing this or he was overly concerned about the well-being of the Israelites.

One day Moses father-in-law, Jethro, took his wife and children to visit him. When he arrived at the camp, he met Moses, and they had a reunion eating and drinking together. Moses related to his father-in-law all the marvelous things that God had done for them.

Obviously, they both had a close relationship. The next day when Moses sat down to judge the people from morning to evening, Jethro watched the proceeding in amazement. He became concerned and immediately took Moses aside to counsel him.

Jethro said to Moses, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”

Moses calmly told him that the people came to him to seek God’s will, to settle disputes and to inform them of God’s decrees and judgment.

The Israelites were a stubborn set of people, and they were terrified of the presence of God, so Moses had to stand in the gap for them.

In spite of Moses duties, Jethro recognized that his method was not good for his health and advised him on a better way of judgment. (Exodus 18)

The response of Moses reinforced the qualities that a great leader should possess.

1. Humility and obedience. Moses showed humility when he listened to the voice of his father-in-law. Moses did not think that his close relationship with God makes him more superior to others. The Lord even referred to Moses as the humblest man in the land and as a result considered him as a close friend and watched his back against backbiters.
2. Discernment – Moses recognized the wisdom of the advice of his father-in-law and did not question his spirituality but immediately obeyed.
3. Moses did not kill the advice from his father in law and buried it in his tent but immediately implement it. I have often heard members of the church complained that if the ideas were not coming directly from the leadership, then they were ignored irrespective of how relevant the idea was. Personally, I have experienced this situation in the workplace and church. Leaders of the church must recognize that God can use even a child to advise them. They have to test the spirit of individuals to see if they are of God. Leaders must choose capable and sensible persons among the congregation to share the burden of responsibilities so that work of the Lord will flow smoothly and organized (Exodus 18:22)
4. Flexibility – Sometimes leaders are set in their ways and will stick to traditions even when they have become obsolete and ineffective in this technological world. Moses was flexible and was able to embrace and implement change to better himself and his people.
5. Respectful – when` Moses met his father-in-law he bowed down and kissed him. His actions were the form of greeting in that society, and it demonstrates Leaders should respect and honor those who are in authority above them and those whom they served.

After Moses related all the great things that God did for the Israelites Jethro became convinced that the God that Moses served was greater than all other gods. Jethro was converted and offered sacrifices to God. (Exodus 18:9-10 – quote)

A great leader should be effective role models. They should lead with the wisdom and knowledge of God.

What is your leadership style? How effective are you as a leader? Share with us your experience.