It is impossible to have a healthy church without Pastor and people becoming the kind and type of person God wants them to be. Actually, it is these two set of people that make up every local body of believers. Over the years, a silent conflict and crisis of confidence have risen between them, which have snowballed into outbursts, physical assaults, court cases and membership losses. Quite sad that many Pastors are not taught how to work with and through people and vice versa also. Church health demands that we look at the role of Pastors and people afresh.
A. Scriptural Foundation John 13:34-35; Acts 20:28; Jer. 3:15; 1 Peter 5:1-3
The Pastor must be God’s person, God-called and God’s representative to the people. He is to be the leader, shepherd, father and guide to the people – showing Christ to them and showing them to Christ.
The people must be true sheep that follow, love, obey and submit to the guidance of the under- shepherd-Heb. 13:17; Gal. 6:6; 1 Tim. 5:17-18.
1. The Pastor must shepherd the people out of a loving heart.
2. The people are the greatest asset of any leader or church.
3. The people must allow the Pastor to lead and follow well.
4. The Pastor must never curse and abuse the people under Him.
5. The Pastor must have good relational skills to get along with various people.
6. The people in the church are not all saved, matured or know God – Jer. 5:26.
7. If you allow it, the people can push or pressurize you against God.
8. The people you don’t teach, train and grounded in Christ will kill you.
9. The people should support the Pastor for church progress.
In an ideal church, the Pastor and people each knows their role and plays it well. Unfortunately, it is cat and mouse case in most churches between Pastor and people.
B. Reality of Pastor And People Today
Sometime ago, I overheard a strong church member saying, ‘I will deal with my Pastor’. Another report talks about church members sending miscreants to a church to beat up the Pastor. A Pastor that refuses to leave a church after being sent away was slapped by a board member. The statistics says 40% of Pastors have quarrel with their members every week!
1. Lots of members have lost confidence in their Pastors.
2. Pastors have lost respect through many misdemeanors.
3. Members are not taught scripturally to honour Pastors.
4. Pastors manipulate and abuse their members today.
5. Pastors hoodwink, deceive and shortchange their people.
6. People leave and disappoint their Pastors today.
7. People expect too much from Pastors and put them under pressure.
8. People don’t trust their Pastors except proven otherwise.
The relationship between Pastor and people has never been at low ebb as it is today.
C. Signs of Disunity And Stagnation – Power Groups
One of the greatest barriers to healthy relationship between Pastors and people in the church is power groups. Well, not all groups are bad inside the church, but power group often become pressure groups. They seek to control the pastorate, fight change and make decisions go their ways: Here are examples of these power groups:
- Family domination and operated – family control.
- Committee of Deacons and Elders – they pocket the Pastor.
- Money bags and wealthy people – use contribution as tool.
- Foundation members deep influence among people.
- Double faced associates – confuses the leader and dictates.
- Ministry Militia fierce devotion to a ministry/department.
- Traditional powers – loyalty to the past and resistant to change.
- Witchcraft warriors – spiritual giant eating away at the church.
- Network systems – networking skills to rally people against change decisions.
As long as these power groups function negatively inside a church, there can be no health or progress in the church. In fact, most churches die because of the disunity and stagnation that these power groups bring to churches. People leave churches and refuse to join because they see these negative groups at work.
Recommended Reading
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How To Stop Eating In The Dream (1)
How to Combat Loneliness in Elderly Individuals
Tips For Keeping Romance Alive After Having Kids
D. Progress And Health In The Church
Out of Acts chapter 6, we can take away lessons for Pastors and people that want to see progress and health.
1. A growing church is a biblical idea – if a church is not growing, it is often because something is unhealthy. Healthy things grow.
2. Where there are people, there will be challenges – there are holes to be filled in every church.
3. Problems are unmet needs – you must meet needs and solve problems.
4. Leadership must address issues – issues must be frankly, sincerely and honestly addressed.
5. Pastor cannot do it all – associates with character, commitment, chemistry, connection, contribution and charisma must be chosen.
6. Pastors are to focus on praying and teaching stay in your calling with integrity.
7. Lay people are to work in unity, love and respect with Pastors – more growth as a result.