DEAR MINISTER Pt.6

BEWARE OF BITTERNESS& OFFENCE

I watched a Christian movie years back. It was about a church leader, a General Overseer who became bitter about one of his associates who left him.

Out of anger, he cursed him. The other associate minister was arrogant as well. Their case was a mix of arrogance, pride, anger and bitterness mixed together.

Thank God they amended their ways and reconciled later after much damage had been done on both sides. Satan inflicted much pain on them because they weren't walking in love. There are lessons we can draw from that movie.

First, as a minister of the Gospel, beware of offenses. They will come. The things that will make you harbour bitterness and unforgiveness as you journey in ministry are bound to happen.

I doubt If there's anyone in ministry for decades who haven't been offended either by associates or members in the ministry. Sometimes, fathers in ministry offend sons. There are times of betrayals and backstabbings.

In Matthew 18:7, Jesus said, "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"

My counsel is that you forgive and let go. It may be painful but you must rise above your hurts and move on with your ministry. A call into ministry is a call to forgive.

Do not curse associates or those leaving you. Pray and release them If they want to go. We don't do ministry from the standpoint of bitterness.

Secondly, If you're offended or hurt, especially as an associate, do not lead a rebellion. Your response to offense shouldn't be to stage a coup and break the church away.

I have seen this over the years. Those who breakaway because of offenses do not maximize their potential in ministry. They remain stunted in growth because God doesn't build his work on a faulty foundation.

Your reasons for a breakaway may sound genuine to men but God will not sanction it. Resigning honourably is much better than dividing the fold and running away with the flock. Some change the name of the church outrightly. That's wrong.

If you know God has put in you the spirit of a pioneer, don't use bitterness and anger towards your principal to start up. To exit, follow the procedure. Get the blessing of the setman and go start your work in a new place where you don't have influence on the people.

Do not start a new work in the neighbourhood of your former church. It is against the ethics of church planting.

Whatever you'll do in ministry, be guided by the word and Spirit not by offense and bitterness.

Hebrews 12:15 says, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;".