BECOME A HONOURABLE CHURCH MEMBER

In the early days of the ministry, there was a time I asked one of the leaders in church to ask a unit head why she was not present in a meeting and did not bother to give any reason for her absence. Her response was shocking. She told him, “Do you pay me? Why would you be asking me that kind of question?”

When I confronted the situation, she said it was not a dishonour to me as her pastor but that she was just asking the person who came to ask. She smiled! I got the message.

Do you know what the scriptures say about honouring spiritual leaders? It says they should be esteemed highly in love because of their work.

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 KJV)

What does it mean to esteem highly?

It means to hold them in high regard.

Years ago, I attended a monthly ministers’ seminar. I had occasion to leave earlier that day so I sent a text message very early in the morning apologising that I may exit while the Bishop was yet teaching because I had to receive a special guest for our meeting in church that night.

I ended up staying till the end of the meeting. When he spotted me towards the tail end, he said, "Son, you are still here". I just could not bring myself to exit while he was still teaching.

The way you treat others actually says a lot more about you. If you are sitting with him one on one, would you stroll out to pick up a call? How you behave in a crowd speaks volumes. Do not hide in the crowd and act dishonourably. You conclude that no one sees you.

To highly esteem means to show great respect.

Exceed expectations. Handle correction with love. It says a lot about your heart. There are folks today who do for a living what they learnt in church for free.

Another way to show respect is by communicating effectively. If there is a reason you would not be in church or a meeting, take permission! Send a text. Call them. Let them be able to vouch for you. People have escaped huge problems because their pastor could vouch for them.

Show respect by refusing to entertain gossips about your pastor. Ensure your space is not the place to dissect how Pastor preached or the dressing of his wife. Do not put a sword on their backs while you smile at their face.

If you cannot accept instructions from the mouth of a Pastor, it is better you find another church family rather than causing division because you are disgruntled.

It is carnality to treat your boss with class and treat your pastor like trash. You take corrections at work but you despise rebuke in church.

Respect him by giving healthy feedback. If you enjoy access to him, see his efforts before you see his faults. Ensure that you give him information that will help his work.

If you are on his team, talk like a team member. If someone in church raises an issue, speak with the mindset of a team member. Do not say "That is how they behave" or "Me, I don't know".

Do not forget Pastors are human too. They will be held doubly accountable for what they teach and decisions they take - help make your Pastors work easier.

©️ temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa