The Concept of BRING ME 70 is found, quite clearly, in Numbers 11:11-17. The Israelites, like many Christians and people within the church, are tired of their situations and the current state of affairs in their life. The leadership, meanwhile, struggles in their God-given mission, fighting the natural tendency to leave it all behind and jump off.
Our Leader, Moses finds himself in the following conversation with God, stating the problem and receiving a clear solution.
He asked the LORD, "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, 'Give us meat to eat!' I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now--if I have found favor in your eyes--and do not let me face my own ruin." The LORD said to Moses: "Bring me seventy of Israel's elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.
Our Leader, Moses finds himself in the following conversation with God, stating the problem and receiving a clear solution.
He asked the LORD, "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, 'Give us meat to eat!' I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now--if I have found favor in your eyes--and do not let me face my own ruin." The LORD said to Moses: "Bring me seventy of Israel's elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.
BRING ME 70 believes that more can be done in churches, to help the leadership carry the burden. Some churches excel in carrying out the mission and purpose of the church and all systems within it work cohesively. Others not so much. On the extreme, some 1500 pastors A MONTH are leaving the ministry, according to Barna Research Group. While its great that the youth are the "current" generation of leaders within the church, we need to take a more proactive role in carrying the burden. Having a pastor discover they are "burned-out" before seeking help and hopefully find a second wind, is too late. Too many churches have learned this upon or after the pulpit has been vacated. This is disastrous. Emergency management can be avoided by taking an active role in making successful management happen on a daily basis. Yet, because so few churches succeed in this manner, many pastors are asking themselves "Where are the 70?"
Carrying the burden is simple and proactive. Aaron and Hur stood with Moses and held up his arms. A phone call. A prayer. A text or email. Look for ways to encourage. Look for ways to support. Look for ways to pray. I believe we can reverse this trend. Amelia Barr, daughter of Reverend WIlliam Huddleston, of England, stated that "It is always the simple that produces the marvelous". I am claiming that truth will be made apparent through the efforts of The 70.
Carrying the burden is simple and proactive. Aaron and Hur stood with Moses and held up his arms. A phone call. A prayer. A text or email. Look for ways to encourage. Look for ways to support. Look for ways to pray. I believe we can reverse this trend. Amelia Barr, daughter of Reverend WIlliam Huddleston, of England, stated that "It is always the simple that produces the marvelous". I am claiming that truth will be made apparent through the efforts of The 70.