We in Africa are known as procrastinators, who tend to avoid or delay decision-making. This could be because of our worldview. I believe God has a new word for us. We are now in the 50 days of praying and waiting on God. The Bible, in Samuel and first King tells us about some consequences of processing too slowly.
Solomon was to be David's successor for the throne. David, the leader, procrastinated (was too slow in following through a decision) and Andonijah set himself up to be king. The prophet Nathan noticed this and stepped in. He put a corrective process in motion, enabling Solomon (God's choice) to become king.
When we as leaders neglect to make decisions at the right time, our staff and leaders, like the prophet Nathan, feel forced to do something to uphold the Word of the Lord. They then make the (necessary) decisions, for which they are subsequently blamed, even labelled rebels. Like Adonijah, they may get others to back them. Unlike Absalom, their motive is often not rebellion, but a desire to keep the work going, or an urge to see the promises of God fulfilled.
It is my conviction that we leaders in YWAM Africa make the same mistakes. Like David, we may assume we have valid reasons to put off decisions and not to obey, like age, health issues, being too busy, or we just don't 'see it'.
We must allow the Nathans and even the Adonijahs to show us the blind spots in our leadership and in our mission. Let's face where we are dragging our feet.
My prayer is that we a mission, and as an African continent in particular, learn to keep 'short accounts' on those things, which keep us from doing God's work in God's way.
What are the words, which God has given to you during the last decade, the last five years, even in the last year, yet you have not obeyed them? Do not 'trip up' your people to take it upon themselves to make the very decisions God entrusted you with.
Kobus van Niekerk, Regional Director, Southern Africa, April 2005
See also Processing, by Kobus van Niekerk