THE CHAIR DOES NOT MAKE A PASTOR; THE TITLE DOES NOT MAKE A LEADER!
My daughters were with me in the office after one of our services. At a point, I stood up from my seat to wash my hands at the restroom. In the twinkling of an eye, Olive was on my chair. She looked at her sister and said, “I am now a Pastor.” I looked at her and had a good smiling moment. That was when it occurred that it takes more than a seat to make a leader, a calling or a priest.
On the wedding day, they will call him bridegroom or husband, but it takes more than an elaborate party to be a husband indeed. It is actually responsibility.
Jesus made a simple statement about the teachers of the law and the Pharisees that is quite instructive.
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
Matthew 23:2-3 NIV
Leadership by Position- ‘They sit in Moses’ seat.’ There is a level of honour that we must give to men because of their position. You must honour offices. It is important. Honour the office of your leaders. Honour the office of your Pastor. Jesus tells us to. When you know you honour the office, the age will not matter or the gender. Honour your husband for the sake of his office in your life and home. This is basic.
Leadership by Preaching- “But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” Some move beyond the position to preaching. They know the rules. They speak the rules. They teach what has to be done. It sounds like parents who want to raise brilliant children by lying about their own school grades. There are pastors who have the pulpit but not the hearts of those they lead. The people know they are hypocrites. There are husbands or fathers by title, but their seeds and spouses know the truth about who they are. They are impostors!
Leadership by Practice- “But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” What brings great honour to a man is leadership by practice. Thank God for the seat. Thank God for the pulpit, but is your life a testimony of the seat you have been given and the lessons you share? That is how to be honourable in your dealings.
Dr. Luke had this to say after a keen look at the ministry of Jesus:
The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Acts 1:1 NKJV
Jesus had a position, he preached, and he practiced what he preached. That’s the pattern.
Dear man/husband/father, dear leader or boss, could it be that the reason why you are not truly respected like you really desire and maybe deserve is that you have only a position and you only preach without a lifestyle that can be an example of what you preach? Remember, the chair does not make a pastor!
temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa.