Deuteronomy 34:1-9

As uncomfortable as change may be, it’s a fact of life. To live is to change. Change is inevitable in all living systems. People and organizations which refuse to change and adjust to a rapidly changing world soon become extinct. Now I not suggesting that all change is good. Some change can be debilitating and even destructive. But change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This is particularly true when it comes to a change of leadership. In our scripture reading, the Israelites were experiencing a profound change of leadership. Moses had been their leader for forty years plus. And now just as the Israelites were preparing to enter the land that God promised them,  The change for the Israelites couldn’t have been more dramatic. It was a change from Moses to Joshua. That must have been quite a transition for the Israelites to make. But it was probably no more traumatic than the transition many churches have to make after a long pastorate. I’m sure there were Israelites who thought they were doomed because they no longer had Moses to lead them. But God cannot and will not be limited to using one person. If you don’t think so, read the book of Joshua. In some ways, Joshua was an even greater leader than Moses, because he led the Israelites into many victorious battles when they were hopelessly outnumbered. The scriptures clearly and consistently teach that God can use anyone to accomplish God’s purposes. They simply have to be open and willing to be used by God. The same can be said about any change of leadership, including a change of pastors. I want to share with you three practices that will help smooth the transition between pastors and allow your new pastor, David Duncan to be a strong and effective leader here. Let’s begin with the first practice.

First, let the pastor be the pastor. Notice that in verse 9 we read, “So the Israelites listened to [Joshua] and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.” The Israelites didn’t demand that Joshua be exactly like Moses. Joshua had a different leadership style than Moses but God was able to work just as effectively through Joshua despite the differences. I’m often amused at how congregations expect a new pastor to function exactly like the old pastor. How many of you remember the story of David and Goliath? When David first approached Saul and told him that he was going to fight Goliath in combat, Saul urged young David to put on his armor. He even dressed David up in a coat of armor with a bronze helmet. But David found the armor wouldn’t fit. David told Saul, “I can’t go in these, because I’m not used to them.” (I Sam. 17:39b) So David took off the armor and picked out five smooth stones from a stream and brought his sling. And the rest as they say is history. The point is, David had to fight Goliath his own way. He couldn’t do it Saul’s way. The same is true for your new pastor, David. You need to let the pastor be the pastor. Don’t expect him to be me or to be something he’s not. He’s got to fight the spiritual battles his way, with his own unique skills and talents. Don’t force him to be something he’s not. Joshua couldn’t be Moses. David couldn’t be Saul. And Elisha couldn’t be Elijah. God uses each of us in unique ways because our skills are unique. We’re not all the same. Each of us has unique strengths. Celebrate David’s skills and allow him to use them for the glory of Christ and Christ will use him powerfully and you’ll share an effective ministry together. And that brings us to the second practice.

Second, assist your pastor in ministry. While David does possess unique skills for ministry, don’t expect him to do everything. He’s only human and he’s going to need your help. He can’t do it alone. You may recall the time Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, once gave him a timely piece of advice. Jethro had noticed that Moses was acting as judge for all the Israelites that came to him with disputes. Jethro told Moses, “What you’re doing isn’t good. You’re going to wear yourself and the people out. The work’s too heavy for you; you can’t handle it alone.” (Ex. 18:17-18) Jethro told Moses to find God fearing leaders who were capable and honest and to have them judge the minor disputes. Then he told Moses to hear only the most difficult cases. “That will make your load lighter, because they’ll share it with you…[and] you’ll be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” (Ex. 18:22-23). In the same way, David can’t carry out the ministries of this church alone. He’s going to need your help. If you make suggestions for his ministry, be prepared to help him carry them out. To do otherwise, will be setting him up for failure. Remember the pastor’s like the coach of a team. No team in their right mind expects their coach to get out on the court and play. David can train and equip you but you have to get out on the court. You’re the players. You live in the real world. And it’s you who have to get out on the court and play. No team or church can be successful if it rejects the leadership and directions of its leader. Which brings us to the last practice.

Last, but by no means least, pray for your pastor. David’s going to need all the prayers he can get. I know. I’ve been there. Being a pastor is no easy task. No one can pastor a church in their own strength. If they try they’re doomed to fail. Only the strength of Christ can empower and enable the pastor to face whatever challenges may come his way. Paul knew this and that’s why he once wrote to the Thessalonian Christians, “Brothers, pray for us.” (1. Thess. 5:25) Pray each day for David that God will strengthen him for the challenges here and that Christ will grant him the spiritual wisdom to provide the leadership that NMC needs.

If you want to see a smooth change of leadership, let your pastor be the pastor, help him in his ministry and pray for him constantly.