The Moses Model

On simplemindedpreacher, there was a discussion about a form of church governance called the Moses Model. In the Moses Model, the senior pastor serves in the same role and function as Moses did, with the elders and board, being subject to his leadership.

I have a problem with the Moses Model, because I don’t think it was quite what God had in mind.

My problem with the “Moses Model” is this: While it seems very Biblical, and is - I’m not sure this was God’s ideal form of government. I say that because it was the people, not God who chose to be led by Moses instead of God Himself. God’s desire was always to be the one to lead His people. This was evidenced at Mt. Sinai when God wanted to speak to the people, and the people said “NO! Moses, we don’t want God to speak to us. You speak to Him and get back to us with what He says.”

18And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. (Exodus 20:18-20)

This broke the heart of God. He settled for the “Moses Model” because the people refused to acknowledge God Himself as their leader.

This is portrayed again in 1 Samuel when the people go to Samuel wanting a king (just like the heathens). God’s heart was broken once again. Why? Because the people once again rejected God as their leader in return for flesh and blood. God again compromises by consenting to the desire of the people, but not without sternly warning of the consequences of their king.

We (as a people) want a king. We want a Moses. We (as individuals) want to be king. The desire for a king is the same as the Israelites desire not to hear from God face to face. It removes individual responsibility for self-government.

In any model, we can pin our failures as a people on the king (pastor). We all want to take credit for success when it is achieved. But let’s say someone in leadership screws up. What happens then? Someone brings the darkness to light. Some jump on the kill-the-king bandwagon, while others seek to justify themselves through their defensiveness.

This is not to diminish the role of pastor, apostle, prophet or teacher in any light. But we have got to realize that these people are not superior to the sheep. They are sheep themselves. Woe to us as pastors, if we think we’re above being pastored even by the lowliest of the saints.
The purpose of the offices of the Body is for one thing: to equip the saints for the work of the ministry so that God might receive the utmost glory.

The tension is that God has chosen to work through men. But in His kingdom, being the king means laying your life down and becoming a stepping stone for all those you are leading. Being king means you’re going to get stepped on. In America we talk about climbing (up) the corporate ladder; but in the Kingdom, Jesus commands those who are in leadership to be in the lowliest of positions. At the bottom holding the ladder for others.

God does give authority to men, I won’t deny it. There is a need for pastors, I won’t argue that point either. But as a whole (for the church of America), we need a paradigm shift. We need to re-evaluate why God gave us authority, and where the power to back up that authority comes from.

So, was the “Moses Model” God’s plan or the people’s? Why do we continually lay claim to the authority of God while His power is strangely absent from our midst?