READ Deuteronomy 1:12-18
Leadership in the church, especially in a larger church, can be challenging. Organizing a large number of people, no doubt about it, is challenging. In times like these, it is good to follow the advice of this trusted, old man Moses knows well. He listens to the advice of Jethro, his father-in-law, and applies it to leading the nation of Israel. Overwhelmed with the amount of work he had, Moses first organizes the nation into a hierarchical structure, and then he charges the leaders with the actual task of leading. How does Moses go about it? And how much of that applies to ministry?  I am convinced that any larger ministry or church leader can follow these few principles: 

1. Choose wise, understanding, and experienced men and women to spearhead the ministry.
2. Commission these leaders -- make it official. 
3. Give them authority over their jurisdiction.
4. Charge them to lead righteously, impartially, and confidently.
5. Back them up by taking on the hard cases (decisions). 

Leadership according to the Jethro principle is a structured team effort. Leading strategically with confidence and structure removes a lot of the anxiety and pressure of leading many people. Listen to Jethro and lead wisely. 

“Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me....Assuming that you have heard about Jesus and have been taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus.” (Eph 3:2 & 4:21 - ESV)
Can we assume that people have heard about Christ? I guess Paul has people in mind he doesn’t know personally but who are part of the church. I guess that he can write something like this because he is a traveling pastor, not directly in charge of every believer. BUT we may never, ever get to the point of assuming. If we are a constant part of the church (i.e. staff), we may ...

• never assume that people know of Christ
• never assume that people know Christ personally
• never asume that people know how to live with Christ (obedience & trust)
• never assume that people have hope through knowing Christ

NEVER ASSUME! Make the Gospel known to everyone! Implement it in the church service. Make sure that people know. Don’t assume!