Over 12 years ago, I woke up on a Sunday morning filled with judgmental thoughts about my pastor. I thought– he needs to work on his love walk. How many times has he lost it in the pulpit blasting the congregation? I didn’t come to church for this!
God Loves His Leaders
(Names have been changed to protect the privacy of persons mentioned.)
God interrupted my thought process saying, “I love pastor John and pastor Trudy. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting God to intervene and my eyes became as big as silver dollars. Continuing He said, “Because of pastor John and Trudy millions of souls have come into the kingdom. How many souls have you brought into the kingdom?” Sadly, I couldn’t think of one soul I’d brought into the kingdom. Wanda the greatest commission of a Christian is to bring souls into the kingdom.”
God further explained, “Every vessel (person) on earth is imperfect. So everyone I use will have issues. Pastor John and Trudy have issues as well as gifts, but they don’t have All the gifts. Pastor John does well operating in his gifts.”
Remembrance of a Pastor on Fire for God
I began to think about how the church runs like a well oiled machine. And that it’s always so beautiful and clean. I considered how the spirit of excellence reigns at our church because of our leader.
Hadn’t I always bragged about him being the Best Teacher on the Planet!
I reminisced about pastor sermons being simplistic, thought provoking and entertaining, full of wit and humor. Although church was long, I never complained about being bored.
I remembered his commitment to our church because he rarely missed a service, even though we opened a church in NY, which required him to preach Saturdays and Sundays.
But more importantly, I realized we are students of the Word. At our church, you learned God’s Word even if you didn’t read it (reading God’s Word is essential for your growth, protection and victory). Indeed, we knew God’s Word because his sermons are immersed in God’s Word. Throughout service we took notes and when he would begin to refer to a scripture, the church would unanimously finish the scripture. Knowing God’s Words enables us to meditate on it as the scripture requires us to do.
The Lord concluded saying, “Its unfair for you all to judge pastors the way you do, expecting them to be perfect, requiring them to operate in every gift.” Everyone in the church body has different gifts. If each person commits to the church, and operates in their gifted area, then the needs of the church are fulfilled.
TheTake Away
Get involved in your church. The pastor operates in his gift. Make sure you’re operating in yours.
This “check” in my spirit from God, immediately transformed how I think of pastors, specifically pastor John, and I’m thankful. I’m thankful for him imparting and guiding me spiritually since the late 80’s. I love pastor John and pastor Trudy with a whole heart. I pray for them, asking God to bless Everything that pertains to them. If they are happy, I’m happy. On the contrary, if they are sad, then I’m sad.
And as my grandmother Grace would say, ”Case closed.”