Text- Jeremiah 3:15 – “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
There are too many Pastors these days that run Church like they are the C.E.O of a business corporation, rather than as a shepherd of the flock. Sincerely, good pastors are rare to find nowadays, so if you have one, cherish him with all of your heart.
What many have failed to realize is that pastoring (genuine pastoring) is one of the hardest jobs on the planet. A Pastor bears the burden of the flock in his care, sometimes spends hours in counselling, hours in prayer, hours in preparing sermons and hours in settling conflicts!
A lot of books and articles have been written on the obligations of a Pastor towards the church members, but not so much has been said on the obligation of the church to the Pastor.
There are seven things at least, that I believe Christians owe to their Pastors:
1. Obedience Bible says in Hebrews 13:12, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
It hurts deeply to see someone ignore godly counsel shared by the Pastor during a sermon, or during counselling sessions. More so, most of the times, such people will bring their mess to the Pastor, and expect him to clean it up despite their disobedience.
A good pastor who cares about you will not turn his back on you despite your disobedience. He will do all he can to help you still, but then, asides that this is unprofitable for you; you are making the Pastor to do his assignment with grief, and not with joy.
One good way to gladden the heart of your Pastor and to justify the hours he spent studying scriptures to prepare his sermons, praying to bring solution to your problems, and sitting down to counsel you is to obey the godly counsel he gives you.
As you go to Church today, I want you to resolve within you to be obedient and submissive to your Pastor. This, according to scriptures, will add joy to his assignment, and is profitable for you.
PRAYER
I will be an obedient and submissive Christian; I will gladden the heart of my Pastor, and make his job over my life easy. I will neither be a disobedient nor arrogant in Jesus Name.
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