With a few years of experience in church pioneering and diverse experiences, much of which I have yet to share fully, I feel the pulse of younger churches (I am still a very young minister).
From literally starting with great expectations with bombastic prophecies of “the city Is taken” to an inability to Manage 20 people, many hopes will look dashed.
It also affects the enthusiasm of your hitherto committed members.
Those early days require some “off the cuff ” commitments, with many of your committed workers sentimentally committed to you initially; then, the struggle of weekly meetings with no significant increase.
One day, I was sharing some of my experiences at my weekly cell meeting, and the members were reeling with laughter.
Like Checking on disciples before meetings, and yet they fail to turn up!
For those of us brought up with the discipleship model of ministry, it’s a tough task.
I recall one of such escapee members eventually attending the meeting and, during service, opted to use the restroom; I left the pulpit to follow him up to the restroom to prevent another adventure. Lol, it can be grueling.
Then, to now battle with accusations of being cultic, manipulative, teaching wrong things etc, is a herculean task.
The few members are shaken and might even start leaving because those early days of a young church require a lot of commitment; many will see it as too tasking and runoff.
This is where a more experienced minister will step in and mentor. I use the word “experienced” carefully, as claiming to have years in ministry doesn’t amount to good and worthwhile experience till I listen to you, and as much as years of experience is important, it is not primarily about ago, so don’t be carried away by age.
Back to the main issue, hence why a senior minister should NEVER be at the back or forefront of encouraging such falling off.
It’s not at such moments a conscientious assumed elder starts a series on control, manipulation etc, that’s using the wrong stick.
Conspiratorially using conjectures and saddening history that just does not apply!! He lacks wisdom.
There are MANY things we don’t do as a church (Saints Community Church) in order to help other younger ministries grow and not be hindered, even though it could have helped our influence, as it were.
Often, I say, “So and so is already doing this; let’s support him.”
We founded the Royal Family Ministry Ikorodu about 27 years ago; I know the pains of lacking support in ministry.
I have started a church and had it closed down!!!
Any funny-looking teaching against the commitment in a local church is diabolic. It’s poisoning, and I don’t engage in it.
When you see what makes churches grow and have an impact, both positively and negatively, you will know how demanding it is.
Hence, if you are a wise elder, you don’t go around spreading paranoid reactionary teaching against loyalty and submission etc.
And then start prophesying about the growth of the word; that’s a contradiction! Then you lack understanding.
I recall a man doing a series of teaching on Facebook on the same issues around 2013.
I asked for his local church to see it first, so we know if to take him seriously. He had since blocked me.
Bishop Oyedepo once commented on such men in a sarcastic yet True way: “How can a man sit in a room and lecture you about church, and you did not ask for his own church? Do you learn medicine from a carpenter?” True.
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And for younger ministers experiencing the sting of anyone trying to steal away the attention of your members with such divisive assertions.
Don’t worry, I and many are praying and standing with you.
Nothing dies in your hands!
All is well!
All their wishes will fail!
God has your back!
He will strengthen the work!
For everyone whose members are carried away by such divisive and wrong teaching, multiple laborers are in the harvest field for you!
You will not be distracted!
I encourage you NEVER to give in or reply or respond.
This is still a year of supernatural order by the spirit of God for you and your church.
It’s a year of Open doors.
I love you.
Credit: Onayinka Olusegun
