Patterns

Pastor started a new series yesterday on spiritual health. It was an incredibly powerful sermon on the subject of obedience, and not just obedience at that, but specifically, "immediate obedience". While there were many quotable statements from the message that stood out and gave pause to reflection and serious consideration, he shared something that stood out regarding pastors and those in ministry.

As he serves on the disciplinary committee for our fellowship, he witnesses first-hand struggling pastors and those who have have fallen in ministry or experienced a moral failure. He shared that in the process of the "one-thing" that impacts their ministry and the consequences of the situation, it's never just the "one-thing". He said that in the process of figuring out what happened and the events leading up to problem, that there are other things in ministry that have gone amiss.

There are patterns of disobedience, where they have gotten off-track, in other areas of ministry.

How does this happen?

Because the "more you listen and obey the voice of God, the more you will hear the voice of God." Conversely, the more you stop listening and obeying, the less your chance of hearing in the future. And like any good parent, who moves on to "the next thing" with their kid who hasn't done the last thing you told them to do or take care of something?

Getting off-track is easy to do. Getting back on seems so hard. Yet staying "on-track" should be pretty straight-forward. You keep your eyes on the track and remain determined and faithful to place whatever safeguards are necessary to help keep you there.

Rarely does "derailment" just happen. There's always warning signs that things are getting unstable and the one who turns off their sensitivity to the Spirit in such matters will be the one derailed. It requires knowing the signs and knowing what to do when you see them that will make the difference as to the outcome of the situation.

Thus, pray this #seniorPastorMonday, for pastors to possess and maintain the ability and the perseverance to stay "on-track" with God, their calling and their ministry. Pray for the successful implementation of safeguards in the personal and professional life. May the remain sensitivity to the things of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives...recognizing the signs of where there might be trouble and knowing how to combat them, to ensure they are not "taken out" by patterns of disobedience. May those struggling, regardless of their experience and time in ministry, be strengthened in their mind and fortified in their heart, to daily align and focus themselves to listening and obeying the voice of God; that they may hear in a greater dimension, in the days to follow.

Bringing glory and honor to God and the work He has called them to complete... as He is faithful to do in us, may we too be faithful to do for Him. For the cause of Jesus Christ and the health of His church.

- PNC

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