When one of the presidents of the United States of America paid a visit to their space centre, he met a janitor doing his work. Encouraged by the janitor’s dedication, he asked; “Sir, what are you doing here?” The janitor responded; “I’m working to put a man in space.” That response convinced the president of the level of vision, focus, and team spirit in the organisation.
Friend, you are an integral part of what God is doing in the local church and the world at large (Romans 12:4-8). This idea of seeing pastors as superstars and members as fans is sponsored by hell. We must be careful not to turn the church to an entertainment centre with audiences cheering on the performers. Pastors are not performers. They are coaches (2 Timothy 1:6).
Coaches train players and encourage them to perform (1 Timothy 4:12). Why do we turn it upside down in church? Why do we have churches where members sit and watch the pastors and leaders do all the work? The biggest job of a pastor is to mobilize the Saints for ministry. It is to equip the Saints for the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).
When we see the pastors as the only ministers in church, we are doing a disservice to the program of God (Ephesians 4:16). We need a church where every member sees himself as a minister. We need a church where the ushers, cleaners, and security unit members understand the vision and pursue it with the same clarity and energy that the pastors do (Isaiah 41:6-7, Habakkuk 2:2).
When God brought you to your local church. He did not bring you to sit. He brought you to set you on fire so you can set your world on fire (Matthew 5:13-16). Rather than fighting over seats in church, you need to fight for impact and relevance. You need to let your presence and participation contribute significantly to what God is doing (John 14:12).
Members who do nothing in church are often a problem to the church (Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 3:3). They are those who distract other people with gossip and in-fighting. They are those who always need the pastor to pray for them rather than join the pastor to reach the world for Jesus. Beyond seeing your pastor as the set man of the church, also see yourself as a set man or woman (Psalm 68:6). It is God who sets the solitary in families.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria