Navigating Through the Minefields of a Successful Ministry

Now this is truly amazing! People would rather have human authority rule over them than God! That’s what happened when God’s people asked Samuel to appoint a king over them. But God said they were rejecting His rule, not Samuel (1 Sam. 8:4-22). That’s also what happened when the people asked Moses to talk to God for them (Ex. 20:18-21). They were afraid of God and would rather deal with a human messenger than with God. And so it is today…people would rather pay someone (the pastor) to hear from God for them. And not only that…they have a tendency to make their pastors into kings…exalting them into role-models of “perfection” and crowning them with man-made glory!

Success does strange things to people. And how they handle their successes becomes a test of their character (Prov. 27:21). If you’re a successful pastor, it’s because you’ve been faithful over your assignment and the Lord has called people to follow your ministry. That’s when it happens…

1. People will listen to YOU more than to God…If you let them! Teach people how to hear from God for themselves. Don’t create co-dependent Christians who can’t make it without you!

2. People will serve YOU more than God…If you let them! To have the hearts of the people is a dangerous thing…you might learn how to make them your personal servants.Don’t do it!

3. People will honor YOU more than God…If you let them! Don’t let their desire to honor you go to your head. You’re not their King! You’re God’s servant called to serve them (Matt. 20:25-28).

4. People will be more loyal to YOU than to God…If you let them! Loyalty can be lethal, if it’s to a man and not to God and His word. How many pastors would dare say to their congregations, “If you ever hear me preach anything contrary to God’s word, leave as quickly as you can!”?

Some may ask, “Why are you so hard on pastors?” I’m not...I just know, as a pastor/teacher, that God holds me more accountable than He does others (James 3:1). God is jealous over His people and tenaciously protects them (Ezek. 34:2-11). Yes, I know there was a time when pastors were kept humble and poor by their congregations, but we’re in a pendulum swing when just the opposite can happen. I challenge all of us to read these passages again: Ezek. 3:17-21; Zech. 11:17; Matt. 23; 1 Pet. 5:1-4.

Now, for God’s people and members of churches, I offer the following words of experienced wisdom:

1. Don’t place your pastor on a pedestal. Pastors are ordinary people, but we have extraordinary callings. Honor God for the gift in your pastor that helps you to mature in Christ (Eph. 4:11-16).

2. Listen intently to your pastor’s messages. But don’t let pastors study the Bible for you. All Christians are called to know and practice God’s word for themselves (2 Tim. 3:15-17).

3. Follow your pastor as he/she follows Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). You can’t do that if you don’t know the scriptures or the way of Christ? Know what the genuine and the counterfeit looks like.

4. Be part of God’s earthly church AND His heavenly church. This is not an “either/or” option (Heb. 10:25; 12:22-24). Regardless of how discouraged you might be with the local church, don’t give up on the Church that Jesus is building (Matt. 16:18-19). He isn’t finished yet (Rev. 2-3)!