My personal thoughts on issues within the church:The points highlighted below are ones that have personally affected me on my journey and have caused me, at times, to question leadership in the church.
I hope that placing them here will be of help to those who read it and that it will find it’s way into members meetings and help to open doors to more issues that are affecting the spiritual growth of individuals within the church. I will add other toipics to this area as I'm led. I will also add related bible references as I come across them.
1. ‘Self’ Denial
I long to see the death of Self/ Killing of flesh on the pulpit….
I have been to too many churches where ‘self’ takes centre place on the pulpit. It kills the message being delivered, diverting from the ‘Word’ and leaves the congregation confused. It is self-assessment time - examination of ‘self’ is required before we take the stand, so that when we stand, we are standing as vessels of Christ.
‘Self’ must die before we can be fully effective in working for Christ. ‘Self’ must go before we grace the pulpit. Kill ‘self’ – not the spirit of the church. When ‘self’ takes over, the Word of God takes second place and that is unacceptable in ‘My Father’s House’. We should not continue to grieve the Holy Spirit, by taking care of our business. We need to start taking care of God’s business. Let GOD arise in His House. There can only be one head and the head of the church is CHRIST.
2. Robbing the people of their blessings:
a) ‘Giving’ If we claim to be vessels for Christ, our lives need to be in line with that of Christ. Pastors/Priests/Bishops/Deacons/Elders whatever title you hold, when you preach the ‘word’ in halves, you withhold the blessing intended for the people.
When you say ‘Give’ you should also explain ‘Giving’, especially when it comes to tithing and offerings. Many are confused with regards to tithes. And when they ask about it, they are often told ‘10% of your wage’ and then referred to Malachi 3. But I’m asking: ‘What happens to the rest of the story?’ Surely members of the congregation are entitled to understand the whole concept of giving. Are they not entitled to know how to receive all the blessings in store for them? Are they not entitled to know the curse that will come upon them or is already upon them when they ignore the commands?
As a chosen leader for the church, you are a vessel of Christ – He chose you to lead the people. He gave you authority to carryout His will. Teach from the Word of God, the truth and nothing but the truth.
If you find yourself constantly in the red financially, do a self-check and see if you have taught your flock well. If you are found wanting, here are some tips/notes to help you re-focus:
When your members ask what is tithing? Don’t just say 10% of your gross or net wage, not everyone works. And not everyone for that matter will understand percentage. Sit them down and explain the scriptures to them so they can fully understand the concept of tithing. It’s not just about the amount one gives, it’s about the state of one’s heart where giving is concerned. It is about understanding that this is part of God’s command and like any other, if we break the command a curse is put in place as a consequence. Your responsibility, as leader, is to help release those who are already under this curse. And ensure that you do not entrap others into this vicious circle of expecting a blessing, if they give, for if their blessing is not financial, then they become disillusioned because they see no benefit from giving.
Finance is one of the subjects that brings controversy in the church and there is no need for this. If the bible is used to teach the fullness of the Word and not just the parts that are pleasant to the ear then leaders may be surprised at the outcome. People need to understand why they give and what the giving is used for. Then they need to see the evidence of that giving. You cannot be constantly collecting and there are no fruits from this giving. It is a two way situation and it is a serious lesson that needs to be learned. The saints need to know that their store house is indeed a ‘store house’ operating the way God intended for it.
Once they get the full understanding of giving and apply it to all aspect of their lives, church-leaders won’t have to work so hard at getting them to give of their time and resources to help the church grow.
b) ‘Debt in church’
3. ‘Lording it over the people’
A leader should be humble, gentle, compassionate….looking out for the people’s best interests and always represent God in their decisions. Do not abuse your authority by lording it over the people or by pleasing certain individuals or groups within the assembly, much to the extent of becoming a people-pleaser. Sometimes chastisement is needed, in order for growth to take place and the church to move forward, but it must be done in a Christ-like manner.
I have seen leaders being disrespectful to elder folks in meetings or to other leaders when they don’t agree with their point of view. It should not be this way. Return to your first love and seek instructions on how to be a true leader.
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