A lady left our church years ago but kept calling for prayer, counsel, blessing, encouragement, and guidance regularly. One day, she said, “Pastor, though I left the church, you remain my pastor.” I smiled and asked, “Who is your pastor truly? You cannot eat your cake and have it.”
Friend, you cannot eat your cake and have it. Many want worship in one place but pastoral care from someone else (2 Timothy 4:10-11). Church is not only where you worship. It is about who God joins you to; a person, a grace, and a calling (Hebrews 13:7, 17).
Who is your pastor? He is the man or woman available for your spiritual, mental, emotional, and sometimes physical needs (Psalm 23:1-6). Anyone without time for you is not your pastor. Enjoying ministry from afar differs greatly from being truly pastored by him daily, closely, personally, and lovingly (John 10:11-13).
Many Christians today are pastorless and wandering. They confuse the myriads of preachers and messages all over the place with true pastoral connection (1 Corinthians 4:15). Attending conferences here and there does not mean you are pastored. Conferences cannot pastor you. YouTube messages cannot pastor you (Psalm 68:6).
Social media posts and clips have their place. But they cannot substitute for the role and ministry of a pastor (Jeremiah 3:15). It is like replacing being in your family with eating out in canteens daily. Canteen managers cannot treat your stomach problem or counsel you deeply and truly (Ezekiel 34:1-6).
Some people enjoy a pastor’s ministry but do not want to associate with the atmosphere of his church (Psalm 144:11-15). They love ambience elsewhere yet crave another man’s anointing and grace. Pastors, don’t let people use and dump you. Let people be pastored where they truly belong (John 6:66-70).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria
