Managing God's People - Part 4
A Pastor that is afraid to caution a Church member is not fit for the job. A major part of your duty is to correct the erring ones under you.
Pastoring is nurturing, caring and training. This process is sometimes painful. Like a father that will allow a child to take that painful injection because it's good for the child though painful.
Love is not always sweet. Sometimes your love for the flock will lead you to allow them to go through that challenge and learn the lessons. Even God does this. So don't love the flock more than God does.
You'll be misunderstood a lot of times for having to take some of these difficult decisions but you'll have to do them for the sake of their spiritual growth, health and eternal destiny.
1 Corinthians 4:14
[14]I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
You're not called to correct just anyone you find. Paul wasn't found correcting Peter's flock. Peter wasn't found correcting James' flock. Focus on your flock.
Good father's aren't afraid to warn their children for their actions that's leading them to danger. They may not understand why you're doing that but you must not fail to warn where need be.
Paul, the wise master builder knew it was important to warn them. He saw what they weren't seeing. As a Pastor over your flock you'll always be granted privileged information that the flock has no idea about.
That information is to help you know how to help the flock not to mock them or display your spirituality.
Your intention is not to shame or blackmail or prove a point. It's just to help them become better and improved vessels unto the Lord.
Acts 20:31
[31]Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
The Apostle was always warning those who are erring and showing them the right way to go.
Warning doesn't mean condemnation, shouting, abusing, cursing, calling one out in the open, snubbing etc. It simply means showing the danger of a thing or decision and providing the right way to go.
Colossians 1:28
[28]Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Your warning should go with teaching. Teach them the proper way after showing the error. Don't just warn and leave the person or persons in the dark.
Your goal is to win over the erring and bring them to perfection in Christ. It's not about you exercising authority or exerting your might.
It'll take wisdom from God to do it well. This could lead to some people recenting and rejecting the correction. Wisdom will help you correct without crushing the corrected.
1 Thessalonians 5:12,14
[12]And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
[14]Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
The word "admonish" there is the same Greek word "warn".
From verse 12 you can clearly see that part of your responsibility as a Pastor is to warn (admonish).
One of the people we must warn are unruly people. Never allow them to continue their unruliness unchecked. It'll grow into a monster and consume everyone if allowed to fester on.
2 Thessalonians 3:15
[15]Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
The one you're correcting is not an enemy. Don't talk to him like one. Don't treat him like one. He is your brother in Christ. Your words and actions must reflect your love for him.
Warn the erring like a brother. Warn him like one your love and hate to see him fall into danger. Never as an opportunity to display your anger or superiority.
Romans 15:14
[14]And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Teach other members of the Church to help correct erring ones. Teach them to do it in love and respect. If we can't correct in love then we shouldn't do it at all.
Those qualified to correct are those who are full of goodness and filled with knowledge. Anyone not at this level needs correction and shouldn't have any business correcting anybody.
Warning, admonishing or correcting is for only the matured in Christ. Your maturity is seen in your love walk, your rich knowledge of the word not your age or manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit.
Romans 15:1
[1]We then that are *strong* ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Galatians 6:1
[1]Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Handling the weak or erring ones in the local Church is for the matured (strong) and spiritual not for the "holier than thou" or the "Pharisees".
The man of God is helping you when he corrects you. Run away from any Pastor who won't correct you even when he knows you're wrong.
Kevin Ashwe
