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The campaign period for nationally-elected positions starts on February 8, 2022 while the campaign period of the locally-elected positions will start on March 25.

What does the Bible teaches us about choosing our leaders? There are many criteria that the Bible gives but let us look on the criteria that Jethro gave.

Jethro, the father in law of Moses visited him while the Israelites where still in wilderness. Jethro observed Moses while he was judging the disputes of the people. Moses was the only one dispensing the decrees and commands of God.

Jethro told Moses that what he was doing is not good. He then advised him to delegate his work. In the management world, this delegation principle is known as the “Jethro Principle.”

Exodus 18:21 tells us the leadership criteria that Moses should look for. The verse says, “But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.”

Here are the following traits that Jethro advised Moses to look for:

First, leaders who fear God. This is foremost in our criteria in choosing leaders. A capable leader is somebody who acknowledges that there is God, and fears God. This means that this leader knows that God is watching, and will judge him or her accordingly.

Second, leaders who are trustworthy. We should look at the track record of leaders if they have been proven to be worthy of our trust. The past should be examined carefully in order to see if indeed a leader has been responsible in fulfilling the task that he or she was given.

Third, leaders who hate dishonest gain. We must choose leaders who do not just dislikes graft and corruption but hates it. Hate is a strong word, and this is what the Bible is telling us. A leadership must be passionate in getting rid of people who are just in the leadership in order to have dishonest gains.

So, as the campaign period starts, find time to read the criteria that Jethro shared to Moses.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications
Central Philippine University