clcgh.org Building The Capacity Of Christian Leaders, Equipping The Saints For The Work Of Ministry, Redirecting Straying Christians To The Sound Knowledge Of Christ
One responsibility Christ Jesus has given to church leaders to perform is to teach all His commandments for believers to observe them (keep them, do them, act on them, obey them or practise them) (Matthew 28:18-20).
In obedience to this instruction, servants of Christ have, since first-century, been interpreting Scriptures and instructing disciples about the commandments of the Lord. But are our teachings today really imparting lives, renewing minds, transforming lives, influencing societies and helping believers to grow up spiritually?
Remember we are not talking about preaching the gospel here. We usually proclaim the gospel for unbelievers to hear it and lead them to believe in Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls.
However, after they are saved, there is the need to ground them in the faith by gathering and teaching them to know and grow in Christ Jesus as they develop personal relationship with Him. This is why discipleship is very important.
This requires that the new converts are taught the commandments, decrees, will, precepts and ways of God for them to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. They need to understand the concepts of salvation, water baptism, repentance, forgiveness of sin and the new birth experience (new creation or being born again).
Now, the important question is, how should church leaders teach the Word of God or the gospel truths? In what manner should we speak the Word for people to comprehend it, retain it, recall it, meditate on it and act on it or do it for the glory of God?
How did the Lord Jesus, the best example for ministry, speak to His disciples so that years later they could still remember what He had taught them, and write them or recount His words for others to write them into books? Understand that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wrote their books years after Christ Jesus had ascended to heaven.
What about the earliest apostles? How did they teach? Did they speak quickly, loudly and noisily? Did they take their time to speak slowly but loudly, making sure that people clearly heard and understood them?
In what manner do today’s ministers also speak when communicating God’s Word, using microphones and other technological devices? Do we speak slowly or quickly? Are we too noisy or noiseless? It must be admitted that most pastors speak quickly and we are noisy when teaching. Yes, we are too noisy.
This weakness is one of the reasons most Christians, in this generation, fine it difficult to clearly understand God’s Word, retain the Word, recall the Word, meditate on the Word and act on the Word for their blessings.
Consequently, our numerous teachings are unable to help people to grow up spiritually, transform their lives, renew their minds, influence societies and above all make Christ known through their lives.
If church leaders really want to impart the flocks under their care with the teachings of God’s Word, then, we must review our communication strategy. We must begin to speak a bit slowly and clearly in a quiet environment, making sure that people hear and understand us.
A minister who wants to be understood when preaching must pay attention to clarity of his speech. He must pronounce words correctly, pay attention to tone, control his breath and ensure precise expression of thoughts.
By James Quansah
