DO THESE TO YOUR MINISTER OFTEN Pt.1

One day, a ministry partner ( medical doctor) checked on me. I presume she saw my ministry activities via social media. The way I was jumping around for the Lord. She greeted and asked about my health. People rarely ask such questions. In that conversation, she was concerned about my health and how I was doing. She was insistent on knowing if I often check my blood pressure, eat right and if I rest well. Sincerely, i defaulted in many ways medically. My sleeping time in 24 hours mostly is less or not more than 6 hours at night often. No nap during the day. Honestly, I wasn't expecting such questions from her. It was unusual because people rarely ask such from me. Often, more of what I see from people is: "Are you praying for me"? Sometimes, it could be: "Pastor, pray for me. I have so and so problem". At other times, it could be " Pastor, I need help. I haven't eaten for days". My phone and social media is flooded with such requests.

That day, I felt someone really care about me too. That conversation was soothing and refreshing. You know it is not easy to be a preacher especially a traveling preacher. Most times, we tend to care for people, ask about their welfare,visit, pray and counsel people yet we get little of these in return. In fact, I've had people who got angry with me because I didn't ask after them. Some persons have outrightly accused me of neglecting them. I apologized and I did what a normal minister of God would do- pray. Year back, I was on admission in the hospital. While on the hospital bed, someone still called for quick prayers. She didn't ask about my well being. Unfortunately, people forget we are humans who need the same treatment. We need care, love and due appreciation (not praises/worship). Not only us, our wives and children need to hear your voices too. Often, pastor's wives and children are isolated. They see daddy praying long hours for people or counseling them yet the persons aren't even greeting them. How church folks treat pastors can make children of preachers love or hate ministry. Stop looking out for their errors.

As you love your pastor, love his wife and children. It is not easy to be a preacher's wife or child. Apostle Paul specially prayed for Onesiphorus because he visited and encouraged him. That was enough for Paul at that time in his life and he said: "May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because HE OFTEN VISITED AND ENCOURAGED ME. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains" (2Tim2:14). Please, be our Onesiphorus. Visit us where possible and encourage us. Don't hear us preach/ teach or write devotionals without due appreciation for imparting you. Saying "Thank you for that sermon" is not flattery. Pray for us and ask about our welfare. Don't let your relationship with us be all about your satisfaction. We are not spiritual vendors or merchants of spiritual things neither are we contractors. Please, change.