MUST PASTORS' ATTITUDES AND AFFAIRS SEND YOU TO HELL?

PREAMBLE:

There is no gainsaying about the fact that the works of the Ministry have been hugely commercialized by some so-called men of GOD. This has no doubt, caused series of setbacks to the minds of many innocent worshippers who are only looking for good mediums of worshipping their Creator.

PEOPLE'S BASELESS EXCUSES:

One major crisis in the Christianity race is the continuous rise in number of fake Pastors and Prophets, but as true followers of CHRIST, this shouldn't be any surprise to us, as it is already written in the Scripture. Matthew 24:11.  Any sensible Christian would know that the Scripture cannot but fulfilled! Why then should you ignore your obligations and duties in His Sanctuary with the sole and baseless reason of increment in the number of false prophets? Any sense in that? No, definitely.

Likewise, we hear excuses like, "most Pastors of nowadays are only after money." Yes, I agree. Another one is, "even, most of the real Pastors who were truly called by GOD don't preach salvation again, 98% of their Sermons centre on money, even the remaining 2% would end with curses on who will not pay tithe". This is correct, I know. "Many even lament as follows, "what does the Pastor has to offer me? I can't obey his Sermon, because all his children are wayward". Of course, you are making a point. But, the big question is, are all these enough reasons for you to go to hell? Pastors are mere mortal, and they have their own bad attitudes and weak areas as well. There is no excuse to sinning, I think you know that!

Another irrelevance people take seriously is the instance of nose poking to the family affairs of their Pastors, and thereby get to know their private challenges and weaknesses. We don't really need this! Every human, regardless of status have their own challenges. Pastors are not exclusive. So, the fact that a Minister has family or marital challenges doesn't mean he's no longer called by GOD. Or, if you see any of his negative attitudes as a family man, that's not a good reason for you to behave irresponsible as well. You don't know the genesis of the crisis, even if you know, you still have to be careful. It's not really supposed to be your business, instead, be assisting him in prayers. Don't poke nose to the private affairs of your Pastors.

ATTENTION OF PASTORS TO SOME STATEMENTS WHICH POOR (LESS PRIVILEGED) MEMBERS HATE TO HEAR AND WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF MAKING THEM HONOURABLY QUITTING YOUR CHURCH, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE ISSUE OF MONEY:

i. Be cautious of words like: "WE KNOW those who won't contribute this money, that's why they have remained poor". This is too harsh! Do you know what they are going through in their various homes?

ii. Avoid cursing those who don't bring you tithe envelopes. It's wrong! Either they are paying their tithes in another acceptable ways before GOD, or they are not, only preach the truth to them and leave judgement for GOD.

iii. Avoid raising biblical curses on those who don't drop big offerings. Do you know if they slept empty stomached last night and only struggled to come to Church on Sunday morning?

iv. As a Pastor, stop condemning women. Remember that women have higher population than men in all Churches, and if you keep condemning women, they would see you as a bad mentor in disguise to their husbands.

v. Don't expose your privacy too much to Church members. I mean your marital issues.

CONCLUSION:

Many people who have compromised their faiths today due to how commercialized the Church has become, believe that it's only people who bring big money to the Church that are Pastors' friends, that's their mentality, though, but personally I don't key into that. You shouldn't too, if you are in the Church to serve GOD and not man. 

There is a saying that, "if you are in the market, you only face the person you are transacting business with, and shouldn't be distracted by the market noise." Let us all face our businesses and stop monitoring Ministers' errors in the Vineyard, stop poke nosing to Church finances and turn to GOD, making the Bible our standard. Joshua 1:8. This should be our principle as we bear in mind that every person (Both Pastors and members) will give account of their works in the Vineyard when CHRIST returns.

Odunayo Ogunmodede is a versatile author from Akure, Ondo State.

isaacodunayo35@gmail.com, 07033504020