In February we discussed the topic of the church being our treasure. This month we are going to discuss another important treasure for us – a pastor and leader. Without pastors and leaders we would not exist as Christians. We are here because of those who founded the church. Those who were praying, fasting, preaching, inviting people and nurturing them. Those who were paying the price. Those people are our pastors and leaders, and they deserve special respect. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”
We can show special respect by supporting our pastor in his service. How exactly can we do it?
TOPIC: “WHAT PASTOR EXPECTS FROM HIS CHURCH MEMBERS?”
1. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth”, 3 John 1:4.
There is nothing more joyful for a pastor and a leader when people who listen to his sermon then live according to what they have heard. On the other hand, when people are indifferent and irresponsive towards the Word that God wants to convey to His people it is very disheartening. Let us try to put into practice all that our pastor says.
2. Everyone needs to find his place in the church. His place of service in order to be involved in the church’s life.
1 Timothy 3:13 “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus”, Daniel 3:17 “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand”, Exodus 23:25 “Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you”.
3. Pastor wants people to be devoted to the church just as as parents want their children to be devoted to their family. Parishioners should not be as homeless people with no place to go. If God brought you to a church, let it become your family and the pastor your father. Devote yourself to these precious spiritual categories. You also should not be like nomadic travellers. Sometimes it seems that as though the neighbor’s yard has greener grass, and we often deceive ourselves by leaving what we have in searching of something new and better. As a result we then have no roots in any church and no fruits, because great things require tireless persistence. Constancy and fidelity to your home create strength. Let’s cultivate these virtues in ourselves.
1 Corinthians 4:14,15 “I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel”, Proverbs 28:20 “A faithful person will be richly blessed”.
4. Members of the church should follow the pastor as he follows Christ and imitate their pastor in all good works, as he imitates Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.”
5. We should support all pastor’s initiatives and projects: retreats, challenges, solitudes, the church building project etc. Pastor desires to feel that people for whom he is doing all this, see and appreciate his sacrifice and efforts. Hebrews 13:17 “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you”, Luke 16:12 “And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own”?
6. We should pray for our spiritual father, our pastor, as he prays for his spiritual children.
Romans 15:30 “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me”, Colossians 4:3 “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains”.
7. Church members have to be friendly, kind and respectful towards each other. Church should be the place of love and an example of right relationship. Colossians 3:12-15 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
8. Any pastor dreams about parishioners who generously give tithes and donations for the various needs of the church.
Proverbs 11:24-25 “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Malachi 3:8-9 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.”
Such hopes and desires are in every pastor’s heart.
Let us be grateful and have very high respect for our spiritual parents. After all we can get the full blessings of God and double anointing only through our right attitude toward our mentors.
For a deeper studying of this topic the following literature is recommended:
“You and your pastor,” “Honor people,” “Grateful Heart” – by Sunday Adelaja, “Blessing of the anointed” – Anton Litvin.
God bless you!
Let the blessings come into your home through your right attitude to God’s gift of your leader!
With love and constant prayer for your well-being,
the senior pastor of the “Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for all nations”
Sunday Adelaja