The Mark of Perfection

As pastors we must realize that we are the face of the ministry. In times past, we entertained pastors who were extreme in their use of incorrect grammar in their teaching or preaching and oftentimes would say things which are inappropriate for the pulpit. Furthermore, some would tell long drawn out stories that are not relative to the spiritual disposition of the people. The Word instructs us to be all things to all men. We cannot afford to become ineffective in the lives of those who are well-educated and/ or well- spoken, simply because we refuse to embrace the fact that we are ministers to the whole world and not just our colloquial territorial spheres of influence. This may challenge the mindsets that some of us possess. For instance, if you are from the streets, you might tend to think the Lord is only going to use you in the lives of those who are from the streets.

As pastors we must embrace that we are ministers to the whole world and not just our colloquial territorial spheres of influence.

But the scriptures teach us that in Christ we are new creatures and what we were is no longer relevant. As pastors we must embrace this truth so that we might walk in the same anointing of the Apostle Paul whereas he was able to minister to people from all walks of life.

Will this be challenging? Sure it will. It will challenge you to study. It will challenge you to practice your speech. It will challenge you to be mindful of the minutest details, such as posture and projection. Gone are the days when people run to and rally behind preachers who are basically ignorant of God’s Word but use vain babblings to replace sound teaching.

As pastors in this ministry, we must always be mindful of the very name; Bible Teachers International. We have an apostle who has been featured on global television, has a global television and radio network of her own, and has written countless books and other literature that is being distributed throughout the world. Therefore, when people search out our ministry and come to one of our physical locations, they come expecting to see what they have entertained on the Internet, the television or from our apostle.

If you heard the Apostle Paul preach from Ephesus you would expect the pastors at the Ephesians’ church to minister with the same articulation and clarity. The same should be true of each one of our physical locations. When people hear us minister it should be as if they were listening to the apostle.

Another responsibility pastors must be accountable for is your own personality. You must be careful that it does not oppose the Spirit of Christ working through you. The Apostle John said, For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us. (I John 1:2 KJV). As pastors, it is our responsibility to bring those whom God directs to us into fellowship with Him. This is done by showing the life of Christ at all times to our congregations. We cannot afford to be what I like to call the two “C’s” common and carnal. We can minister a message for an hour and a half, which brings people into fellowship with the Father; and in one carnal conversation, undermine all we did in the pulpit. This is disturbing to the Father because it hinders His purpose in the lives of His people.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. KJV

To abandon the above principle is to undermine your ministry and the confidence level the people in your congregation will have regarding you as their pastor. As I sat to write this, I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, “Cease to talk about things I delivered you from. Stop telling stories in social settings that bring to memory the sin you committed years ago. There is no edification if it is not a testimony of my power in your life. Past sin should not be a conversation piece."