The foundation of a Kingdom leaders call

Exodus 33: 11

The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

There is a debate in leadership circles whether leaders are born or whether they are made. The overwhelming evidence shows that in the Kingdom of God leaders are simply called. However, this does not mean that natural giftings and development are not a part of the process. As we continue in the study of Joshua we will end up seeing a variety of flaws and weaknesses that could make us question God’s choice. But, there is one unmistakable quality in Joshua’s life we can not deny. Joshua loved God’s presence. And, this is an invaluable quality for a Kingdom leader. Why? Because the Leader of God’s people must be faithful to God, and it’s difficult to stay faithful to someone in whom you don’t enjoy being around. Thus, Joshua possessed the one quality that is foundational for a sound Spiritual leader. If you look in vs. 11, there is a powerful statement written about Joshua, “[he] did not leave the tent.” The reference here is to the Tabernacle of meeting. At the Tabernacle of meeting, when Moses would enter the tabernacle, a pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord would talk to Moses ‘face to face.’ The pillar of cloud represented the manifest presence of God. The interesting thing about the Scripture is that it specifically mentions in (vs. 11) as Moses would leave the tabernacle and return to the camp that “his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not.” Joshua loved to stay in God’s presence. Joshua loved spending time alone with God.

Point: Intimacy with God is a prerequisite for leadership in God’s Kingdom.

Advice: When looking for future leaders the church should focus on developing their relationship with God first. The importance of their relationship with God should be consistently reiterated our primary focus in their leadership development. We should not discount the value of their competency; nonetheless, their walk with the Lord should be the church’s primary focus. Leaders are both born and made, but the foremost goal in their development is that they understand they are called to a relationship with God first.