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
By James Quansah, Pastor
CHRISTIANS especially pastors are called to imitate Christ Jesus. Thus, a Christian leader’s godly life has little or nothing to do with his academic degrees, wealth, popularity, stature, oratory skills and stylish garments. These may be good things to have, but scripturally they do not make anyone fit for ministry.
But the life of a Christian has everything to do with his doing, living, acting and obeying the Word of God in order to please God.
Beyond being equipped with the Word of God and the Spirit of God, a Christian leader ought to be a person of high moral uprightness. An authentic calling to ministry is a unique calling.
The Bible describes it as a high, heavenly and holy calling. Thus, for a person to qualify to minister as a servant of God, Paul, the apostle, stated clearly that such a person must be blameless or be above reproach (1 Timothy 3: 2).
To be blameless, here, means that there is to be no unrepentant sin that can be publicly named or pointed to in which the church or civil community is aware of. It does not mean the leader is sinless, or has never sinned, or does not sin or make mistakes, but that he or she cannot be held contempt, either criminally, morally, socially or ethically.
It is for this reason that a true servant of Christ is expected not be a recent convert, but someone who has walked with Christ Jesus for years, and by that his life has been influenced by Christ Jesus so that he could conduct himself publicly and privately like the Lord Jesus.
After all, a true apostle, prophet or bishop is an ambassador or representative of Christ Jesus in the world.
Thus, Jesus Christ is every genuine Christian’s subject for learning. Paul did not walk with the Lord physically, yet he could learn from Him (1 Corinthians 11: 1). Paul might have learned from Christ Jesus through the Scriptures, narratives of apostles like Peter and James, revelations he personally received from Jesus Christ and leadings of the Holy Spirit. If Paul could learn from Christ, we also can.
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me – John 12:26. Jesus is our perfect example to follow.