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Refreshment in Refuge

    by Gina Burgess

10 Steps of biblical leadership
Date Posted: December 31, 2023

(Taken from the first 6 chapters of Nehemiah.)

This week will take some work on your part. I have only outlined the facts, but you will need to fill in your own blanks.

I noticed the way Nehemiah led his people, and his administrative tactics when reading Nehemiah. The first six chapters (and beyond) give excellent guidelines for Biblical leadership.

1. Get all your facts from trusted sources (Nehemiah 1).
2. First pray about the situation, and ask God’s guidance for direction. (Ibid)
3. Talk to the person who had the most authority to help with resources etc. (Ibid)
4. When your resource person asks “What do you want of me?” First pray for God to put the words in your mouth (Nehemiah 2:4).

a. Have a specific goal, and a well-thought out plan (Nehemiah 2:5)
b. Set a time frame for completion (Nehemiah 2:6).
c. After asking for funding, ask for documented authority to complete the project. (Nehemiah 2:7).
d. Make sure all the resources are gathered, and double check shipping arrangements, etc. (Nehemiah 2:9)

5. Take time to examine the situation in person by yourself. Eliminate any other person’s opinion until you have formed your own with all the facts. (Nehemiah 2:12-16). Make sure you are not influenced by wagging tongues, or smoke-blowing.
6. Gather the team and lay out the plan of action, be specific and stay on target. (Nehemiah 2:17-18).
7. Disregard distractions, and see them for what they are. Consider the real source of the distractions (Nehemiah 2:19-20).
8. Oversee the work, making sure each task is manageable for the person(s) working it; as well as the right person for the right task (Nehemiah 3).
9. Guard against distractions; and do not be diverted from the task at hand. Ask God to protect the work being done, and then set forth a strategy to protect the work being done (Nehemiah 4).
10. Do not disregard unrest in the ranks. Listen to the problems and resolve them with fair-mindedness and from biblical principles (Nehemiah 5).

Following these guidelines should help any project run smoothly and to finish early. The walls of Jerusalem were built in 52 days: An amazing feat in so short a time.

Walt Wiley of Winning With Encouragement, Inc. stated, “Watching how people treat, relate to and react to people around them is a great way to determine the kind of person they are, especially if they are leaders of people” (The Look of the Leader, 1997, p. 5)

God gives each of us a motivational spiritual gift. We are motivated towards a certain type of ministry (Romans 12). This gift energizes us like the Energizer Bunny. God always provides for His ministry just as He had the Children of Israel ask for all kinds of costly things from the Egyptians who freely and generously gave. The Tabernacle was built from this bounty. The same principle is how our motivations are fueled for God’s work.

Consider Moses. He led the People out of Egypt, but God had to just about whip him to do it. Moses was overwhelmed by the task. Only because of God’s guidance and direction could Moses lead. Moses’ burnout came only when he was trying to be judge of all the people. His father-in-law, Jethro, pointed out that it was too much for him and he should delegate some elders to help (Exodus 18:1-9). A leader cannot do all the jobs all the time. God’s ministry for Moses was energized for a specific ministry purpose, not to judge over every minor squabble, but to be the leader of the nation. When Moses understood that, his burnout went away (Fortune & Fortune, 1990).

Certainly, Jesus showed the disciples the critical success factor of rest when He “said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’ For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat” (Mark 6:31). Always anticipate that God will give you the energy to do the tasks He sets for you to do, but remember to get plenty of rest and eat the right foods.

Fortune, D. & Fortune, K. (1987), Discover Your God Given Gifts. Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen Books.
Wiley, W. (1997). The Look of the Leader. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

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Biography Information:

Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.

She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.

If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon

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