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People who label pastors as lazy are ridiculous. Those who blurt that being a pastor is the easiest way to make money are ignorant and speak from the world of darkness.
Unbelievers would like to hype discussions about pastors’ successes, and not their sufferings. Nothing prevents anyone from being one. In other words, you can become one if you perceive that you are called.
Critics neither know nor understand what it means as D.L. Moody puts it, “…doing business with the devil” and facing rare challenges of life. They do not know the heat of trials, temptations and persecutory attacks pastors suffer and endure.
Unregenerate folks must learn to categorize self-styled pastors and those genuinely called of God. Sadly, this is hardly possible for them to do anyway.
Genuine pastors are often skilled professionals or workers who were divinely appointed to perform ministry duties for God and humanity. Their ministries are often Christo-centric and gospel-focused; their services honour God.
Now, pastors contribute to national development in various ways. Through them, evil people including hardened criminals are saved and transformed by the power of God.
Again, through pastors, many hopeless people who contemplate suicide are influenced to rescind their decisions by the preaching of the gospel of hope in Christ Jesus.
Pastors are watchmen who lead intercessions for families, communities, nations and continents to avert satanic activities. Many blind unbelievers do not know there are unseen supernatural beings that steal, kill and destroy lives and properties.
Through pastors, many schools including universities are built throughout the world thereby giving opportunities to people to receive formal education and employable skills.
In the health sector, pastors lead the construction of hospitals, clinics and laboratories across cities, serving both believers and unbelievers.
Moreover, many poor individuals and communities will be reeling in great hunger, nakedness, homelessness and suffering but for the generosity of pastors who make donations to them.
Have you also forgotten that most church buildings are used as polling stations and exhibition centres and for other electoral or political activities during elections? Thanks to pastors.
In fact, pastors as custodians of morality form part of change agents in society; they influence people to conform to moral standards.
Do not focus only on the activities of the bad nuts in the faith. It happens in all human organisations and institutions.
Time will not permit to tell other important things pastors do to contribute to socio-economic development of nations.
Clearly, pastors are better than many politicians and other opinion leaders. Pastors are not a liability but assets. Therefore, respect and encourage pastors or leave them alone.
By James Quansah
