WILL YOU ALLOW US PASTOR YOU?

In 2011, I visited a church in Lagos as a first timer. As common to most churches, first timers were asked to stand up and I did. I was given a warm welcome and I filled the form given to me. In the form, they asked a striking question that didn't leave me on time: "Will you allow us to Pastor you"? That was the first time I heard such. Later, I realized that the question was deeper than I thought. On the surface, it looked like they were asking if i wanted to be a member of their church but I think it is much deeper. It is a question with the intent of wanting to know if I wanted to submit to the leadership and training structures of the church. Some believers are in churches as attendees but they are not under the pastor. They are not in any way submitted to the pastoral leadership& training structure of the local church. They prefer to "follow" an itinerant preacher's ministry, his teachings and ideologies yet they have refused to stay directly under his leadership. Those in this category always create problems for their pastors because of conflicting ministerial ideologies.

This in my opinion is one of the reasons why so many believers haven't benefited from the ministry of the local church. What do you think will happen to a sheep that refuses to identify with and follow the leadership of the shepherd? We thank God for online preachers and teachers, there's a rise of gifted teachers, preachers and ministers in the body of Christ. This is one of the signs of revival that we've been praying for. However, in as much as those in these categories have deep truths for the body of Christ, their ministries cannot and should never replace the ministry of the pastor of a local church. Ministerially, it is wrong to assume the role of a pastor over a people you're remotely connected to. Until you stay with them and allow them have constant access to you over a long period of time, you cannot call yourself their pastor. One of the beauty of proper pastoring is physical access. To access your pastor for relational discipleship is a lot easier than those t.v.radio&internet preachers.

Pastoring cannot be forced on anyone. However, the moment you decide to identify with a local church having prayed and sought the face of God, you must submit yourself to the leadership and training structure of the church. Listen to the writer of Hebrews: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and SUBMIT YOURSELVES: FOR THEY WATCH OVER YOUR SOULS, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you", Hebrews 13:7 KJV. A sheep that refuses to submit to the shepherd will be lost. A local church is not a place you attend out of sentiment, your decision to be a member of that church must be intentional knowing it is the right place for fellowship and your spiritual growth. If you want to enjoy God and be nourished spiritually in that local church, submit to the training& leadership structures of that church.