During my campus ministry that year, a lady came to me and made a profound statement; “Sir, I have observed you for the past five years now. I know you are the kind of pastor I need to groom me for destiny. Can you be my mentor?” I noticed she had realised the kind of pastor she needed.

Friend, you need to differentiate between the kind of pastor you want and the kind of pastor you need. Most times, the kind of pastor you want is not the pastor you need. Whereas you might want a pastor for cosmetic reason, God gives you a pastor based on the destiny He has for you and the training and moulding it would require (Jeremiah 18:1-6).

There is the gift of a pastor. Having the right pastor would make all the difference in your life and destiny. God already has the kind of pastor He has designed for you (Jeremiah 3:15). You need to do away with sentiments and be open-minded as He connects you to such, else, you miss your destiny.

God has made provision for these two kinds of pastors in the body; the Paul’s kind of pastor and the Barnabas’ kind of pastor. You would determine who pastors you based on your attitude and response. Paul’s kind of pastors make godly demands on people, helping them to fulfil God’s highest purpose. This was who Paul was to Timothy (Acts 16:1-5, 2 Timothy 1:6).

The Barnabas’ kind of pastors are the ones that pastor people with emotion; they are easily intimidated or affected by physical things while pastoring people. This was who Barnabas was to John Mark, his cousin (Acts 15:37-39, Colossians 4:10). Those who fall out from the demands of Paul would always have a Barnabas to pastor them. While Timothy became a Bishop, John Mark ended up a Deacon (1 Timothy 3:15, 2 Timothy 4:11).

Each of the two kinds of pastors would always think that the other person is wrong. In fact, they often disagree (Acts 15:39). Actually, none of them is wrong; they are both God’s provision for His people. You would have to make a choice as to who pastors you. If you are a Timothy in destiny, you would short-change yourself staying under Barnabas, and if you are a John Mark, you would think that Paul is being unnecessarily hard. Do you know the kind of pastor you need?

‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria