When I just came into Akure, I had a chat with a Senior minister in the city. While talking about my assignment in the land, he gave a “counsel” that looked good but not accurate. The counsel revealed his mindset about Church work. He asked; “So, after preaching on Sunday and Wednesday, what would you be doing with the remaining ‘free’ time?”

Friend, the pastoral ministry is not just what we do on Sundays and Wednesdays. In fact, the bulk of what a pastor does is outside the Sunday work. This understanding is important if we would appreciate the gift of the pastor that God has given us and the scope of the Church work (Ephesians 4:8,11).

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17). Gone are those days that pastors are seen as loafers and irresponsible people. Gone are those days where the Church is seen as a side work. Church is work, the burden of the pastoral ministry is a huge one.

While this discuss is not on the argument about full time or part time pastoring, it is to make you appreciate the labours of your pastors and Church leaders. It is also to tell someone out there whom God has called or would be calling into that ministry to get prepared for what is coming. There is the burden of a pastor that only God can explain.

A pastor carries the flock at heart (2 Corinthians 11:28). He labours to see them become all that God has ordained them to be (1 Samuel 12:23). When pastors go all out to counsel and render support to Church folks, you might think that they have no problem that they are grappling with themselves. Sometimes, they go hungry while ensuring that Church folks are fed. They lay their lives for the flock (John 10:11, 1 Corinthians 15:30-32).

While we should not shy away from the errors that are so prevalent in our days, we must not fail to recognize the labours and sacrifices of genuine ones. The presence of fake is a testimony to the reality of the original. There are still men and women of God who are still holding to the truth and integrity of their calling (1 Kings 19:18). If your pastor is one of them, celebrate and appreciate him (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

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