After mulling over the idea for a few years, and getting close multiple times, I’ve made the decision to hire another employee. This was a huge choice. Going from to one employee to two really changes the dynamics. It made me think hard and long about how I wanted to do business in the future.

My dilemma was what I call my circle. Long term the goal was to spend less time in the production end of business personally. Yet I wanted to grow. So I searched for sales, and found them. Then I had to rush into the shop to do more production, the very thing that didn’t give me fulfillment. Or I spent more time in real estate, scheduling showings, writing, making phone calls. Putting irons in the fire. Then after a day I immensely enjoyed, working a deal for a client, I would return to the shop feeling guilty because of my absence.

It is not a good feeling, walking into your own shop guiltily when you just had the ultimate day doing what you love.

I spent hours and hours contemplating the way to stop this circle. The conclusion is that I need another production man.  But another man in a one and a half man shop is a huge step, one I’ve been skeptical to take. Yet I would rather hire a full time, stable person. Our workload has been increasing but it has not surged to the point that another man would be steadily occupied. Another man would create the need for more sales.

 I’ve concluded this will be broken one of two ways.

• A big job floats overhead and plops into our lap forcing us to hire another full-time person. (Less likely)
• We hire another person and I work my tail off to increase sales to fill the additional capacity. (Most likely)

The decision has been made to hire another person. That is the first step and it is a colossal one. I have known for a long time this is the step I need and want to take. Avoiding it each time it surfaced has not worked to alleviate the problem. Even if the details still need to be taken care of, it feels good to have made the decision. It feels like forward movement and not stagnancy.

Are you feeling stagnant? Look at yourself to see if there is a decision to make that you have been avoiding. The weight of an undecided choice can wear you down. It did me. Don’t do as I do, learn from my mistakes. Make that choice.

Related Post:

• Chosing a partner in the workplace
• Stupid excuses to avoid taking action

Reading this, I was reminded of the time the still-learning disciples asked the Lord Jesus if they should call down fire to consume those who rejected Him. Jesus turned and rebuked them with the following words–

“Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” (Luke 9:55-56)

Sometimes as men and women take up the Lord’s pleading with sinners to repent, they can allow themselves to become hardened to the plight of those who stand in the valley of decision. May it never be said of us. Let us remember how our Lord was longsuffering toward us, and had mercy on us. Let us remember how He wept over the fate of Jerusalem just before He was crucified there (Luke 19:41-42).

Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? (Joel 2:17)

Click here to go to Rachel’s article.

God bless you!

It’s time to tell the truth about who the children of Abraham really are!

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Every now and then I receive a comment that is just too darn good to be buried in the comments section of a particular posting. This comment was left in the “Contact Me” section of the site and I must say this lady has sure seen the light……

After the jump check out “Linda’s” testimony!

I have to say that I am so disgusted with tele-evangelists that I want to just blow up! Every one of them is now claiming a shortfall in their ministry giving because of the downturn in the economy. My conclusion would be …why don’t some of them sell the huge homes, and give from their own vast personal wealth??? I am to the point where I can barely stand to hear them “hawk” their wares and get away with it. They literally prey on the poorest people who are in desparate need, and they really don’t care if they go into more debt or can even afford to send their last dollar!

I stupidally sent a small donation to “Breakthrough” to help with the orphans they were helping in Haiti. I then found out all about how most of these ministers live, and then I heard about the behavior of Benny Hinn and his downfall. I am truly shocked at how they live and no one seems to understand that they really look down on US because they think they have some sort of secret they know and we don’t. When I sent in the donation, I got an audio CD made by Todd Coontz titled “Unstoppable Favor!”. In it he referred to the incidence that he had gained his inspiration from Mike Murdock about how to gain wealth, and this all happened within 24 hours…it was magic, or so it seems.

Anyway, after reading some background on Mike Murdock’s claims, his extravagent wealth, possessions, and such, I realized that he had hit the “merchandising” jackpot by making all these claims from the Word of God , and twisting it to make it sound like he was telling the truth.
The Word of God clearly says to watch out for these Wolves in Sheep’s clothing…and refers to these people as “hirelings”…basically they are just in fit or the money and it is a business to them.
No wonder Jesus got so mad and turned the tables on the Money changers in the temple! Frankly, I am getting so righteously mad myself that I really think something has to be done to stop all of this. With the money that is being horded by them, we could end world poverty.
And now the Christian Television Network here in central Missouri is broadcasting the Great Awakening with Rodney Howard-Browne every night! These people even fell for the whole thing hook, line and sinker…RHB is part of the Counterfeit Revival bunch that has literally made a mockery of worshiping God in an ‘orderly” fashion as is prescribed in Scripture.
With the laughing, howling, and weird contorsions of the people he supposedly hits with the “fire”!! What about the Holy Spirit as a gentle person, who does not have to be violent to come into someone’s life???

I had to talk to someone about this…I hope what I have to say isn’t offensive to anyone out there, but the time has come for me to stop watching and listening to these “hirelings” .and Maybe they will have to pay all this back…could they be the “wicked” that is supposed to relinqish their wealth to the righteous?

Believer in truth for the end days…

Robot-like conformity is often dictated by leaders who masquerade as benefactors (see Matt. 20:25). Jesus refers to these as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matt. 7: 15-23). Notice that the context of 21-23 is the false prophets of v. 15. Jesus also says in this passage that you know them by their fruits. Some of the fruits are mentioned in places like Acts 20:29-35, Deuteronomy 13:1-4 and Jer. 23:1-2 (the entire chapter is highly illuminating).

Is it possible to see the “fruits” of such a wolf before the catastrophic failure of that ministry? Sometimes it is easier to see when it is explained by somebody in our own generation. I found a very helpful way to see at least some of the fruit of such a false prophet on this page posted by the late Jesse Ancona. She describes the tactics used by what she calls “the humble phony” to make him or her look like a genuinely humble minister of God. The entire short article is a gold-mine of good signs to watch for, and is well worth reading.

Watch if your boundaries are always being tested when you say, “no.” Watch for where the power in the group flows from and to. Especially watch their reaction if someone questions their sincerity or kindness. If they are quick to defend themselves by blaming others, there is a problem. If the organization begins to become colder or you start being left out in decsion-making (at least more than usual), they are punishing you indirectly. If the mere fact of publicly questioning the wisdom of decisions brings accusations of causing division, run – don’t walk – away. That group is probably being brainwashed. These people are dangerous to your soul.

One of the most important early-warning tips I picked up, however, is to check your own emotional response whenever you have an encounter with someone in religious authority. How do you feel? Frustrated? Diminished? Angry and confused? Thwarted to the point of feeling violent? If so, it could be that you are being manipulated. Think back to what was said and try to get a feel for why you feel the way you do. You may be surprised at how ruthlessly put-down or rudely you have been treated when you examine it closely. Blaming the victim for his or her anger at being manipulated is very common in this type of individual.

We pray that every believer learn how to discern the difference between sheep and wolves in sheep’s clothing.

I found this over at Lane’s Blog.

Hirelings like Ed Young bring shame upon the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord of lords and King of kings could have came to earth as a wealthy popular man. Jesus Christ could have taught from the nicest temples. He could have been a king of such wealth that even Solomon would have been amazed. Instead our Lord was dirt poor and homeless.

Matthew 8:20 (NASB)
²⁰ Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

I think it’s time we followed one of Jesus’s examples and remove these merchants from the temple.

John 2:14-16 (NASB)
¹⁴ And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.
¹⁵ And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;
¹⁶ and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.”

See: The greedy hireling Ed Young

This is a sad example of a greedy hireling. Stuff like this brings shame upon the name of the Lord. I do not understand why so many people defend pastors CEO’s like Ed Young. Please visit Ed Young’s Admissions Are More Damning Than The Original News Story and read about it.

If the people giving to the church would demand to see the following it will prevent a great deal of financial abuse:

1. The pastor’s salary and full benefits
2. The church financial records with real numbers and not misleading percentages
3. Hold the pastor and leadership accountable

Those who give to support the church have a right to know how their donations are being spent. I’m not saying we should pry into a pastor’s IRS records and/or look into his salaries outside of the church(book deals etc…) because this type of income is not by donations. All I’m saying is that all church salaries, benefits, and church financial records should be open for all members to see. This would go a long way in preventing abuse. If the people see the abuse and still continue to give then that is their choice. As it stands currently, many of these types of churches refuse to disclose this information while hiding behind a privacy statement. If you are living by donations then those giving donations have a right to see where the money is being spent. I truly believe that an honest pastor/church has no reason to hide this information from their members who give to make the church function.

Listen as this emergent church heretic Doug Pagitt distorts and twist the Christian faith. This is a good example of why we must not allow heretics to spread their poison into the body of Christ. We must expose these heretics and their false teachings.

John 14:5-7 (New International Version)

Jesus the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

The Nature of the Gifts

Father only gives us gifts that He wants us to use.  The gifts that He gives are intrinsically good and not evil.  You cannot perpetrate evil with good.  

We must also understand the gifts are not of us, they are heavenly in nature.  Luke 11:13 explains, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”   Heavenly gifts enable us through the power of the Holy Spirit to bring Heaven to earth.  The gifts are special graces that allow us to build His Kingdom and reveal Heavenly realities in the here and now. 

The Gifts Reveal Father’s Heart

Perhaps you haven’t considered a most important aspect of spiritual gifts.  The powers they demonstrate reveal Father’s heart for mankind.  All spiritual gifts are redemptive in nature and bring only healing, truth, light and restoration.  In Jesus’ earthly ministry, we see the 1 Corinthians 12 gifts in operation to the glory of God the Father.  Upon His resurrection and ascent, His Holy Spirit was sent to endow us with these very same powers.  He gave them with no “cautions” or warnings.  He gave them to 120 novices and beginners.  The result was the birth of a church and the addition of thousands in one day.

I know there are a million “buts” in the way of actually stepping out in faith.  However, as a rule, the gifts of the Holy Spirit only work by faith.  The bold and daring see great returns for their gifts because they understand this.

Having said the above.  I must slip beyond 1 Corinthians 12 to the 13th Chapter where Paul writes, “1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.“

Love gains us the full reward of using our spiritual gifts.  Love gives us the reward of God’s character on this side of Glory, and the incorruptible crown on the other side. 

A Hireling Revealed

There is a sad knowledge that some will use their spiritual gifts for selfish gain.  Father is so desperate to redeem that He will allow this for a time.  All the while, Holy Spirit will plead with the “hireling” to be converted by love.  Paul wrote there would be some who minister out of selfish ambition.  His response in Philippians 1:18 was “But what does it matter?  The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.”  The one in this condition will unfortunately stand empty-handed before the great Judge of all deeds.  The hireling debates timing, qualification, delivery, and all the other endless red-tape details that entangle.  While they debate and qualify… hundreds and thousands of souls slip right past them.  It is closely akin to the Pharisees who debated whether or not it was right for Jesus to heal on the Sabbath.  Hirelings miss the whole point!  

The Sons of God Revealed

Romans 8:19 tells us, “For all creation, gazing eagerly as if with outstretched neck, is waiting and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God.” Weymouth Translation.  Sons and daughters are they who have the heart of their Father.  Love compels them to use their gifts.  Instead of ambling through life blindly, their eyes are open to the sick, oppressed and infirmed all around.  Prophesying, healing, or delivering is no more a tool of self-promotion, but a means of delivering souls from destruction.

Just think, while you are reading this post, someone is praying for a confirmation that God loves them.  Somebody may be asking for a sign from Heaven that there is a God.  Others are living with a sickness or disease that you could heal.  The possibilities for Heavenly manifestation are endless if only we will open our eyes as sons and daughters. 

Father, show us what you see.  Let us hear the cries that you hear.  Make our hearts one with yours so that Heaven may manifest here in the earth.  Forgive us for debating the use of your gifts and grant us all boldness to speak your word with power.  Amen.

So you look on the internet for a church that teaches from the Bible. You listen to sermons, some seem like clones of the church that you are already in, others seem interesting, and some seem too legalistic and formal. So you check out a few churches.

Then someone gives you a tract, “a sign from God?” that maybe you should check out this church.

Finally you find a church that teaches from the Bible, but is a casual dress church. Great! The preacher is dymamic, and is bold in defending the faith.

The people are very friendly. They hug you, and you never get ignored. When you walk in, immediately you hear people talking about discipleship. You never heard talk like that in your other church. It’s too good to be true.

You immediately find your niche, and feel needed, because the church is new. So you get involved in any activity that they have, and your skills are used. You are single, and there are some potential marriage partners there, the previous church was all married couples, with a few un-happy singles.

Little do you know, you are walking into the perfect cult.

This blog is nearly two years old and during this time we’ve spotlighted dozens upon dozen of heresies and the heretics that promote them. I’ve used the word hireling often when describing these people. As I will demonstrate in the following article Dr. Nasir Siddiki is the very definition of a hireling.

John 10:12-13

But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.

What is a hireling? The Greek word in the above instance is μισθωτός(misthōtos) and means;

1) one hired, a hireling

Now this could mean someone good or bad but as Jesus initially describes Himself as the Good Shepherd in verse 11 and in verse 14 I think its safe to assume that a hireling in this instance is someone unlike the Good Shepherd.

When you go to Dr. Siddiki’s website you will quickly discover there is very little if anything that is freely given but there are plenty of opportunities for you to spend your money. This is typical for a Word of Faith/Prosperity/Healing ministry and should come as no surprise. (source)

Books, tapes and conferences are featured on this website. Opportunities to make an offering or to become a “partner” are also offered. Mind you none of these opportunities are free unless of course you become a “partner” and Siddiki will send you a tape for free. (source)

In and of itself there really isn’t anything wrong with charging to attend a conference or to attach a fee for a book or CD. These things cost money my friends and if you want a book or to attend a conference I think its fair you should have to pay something. Even John MacArthur makes you pay for the books that he writes.

I did sign up for a free magazine on miracles (source) and free teachings via email (source). It will be quite interesting to see what Siddiki is giving away for free. I’ll keep you posted.

I went through all 20 pages of the online store that contains Siddiki’s various teachings. The main theme of course was how to get money. The other usual suspects like positive confession, healing, praying in tongues were all part of the fare. All of these products range in price from $1.99 to $60 USD. (source)

There’s even a link where Jesus is mentioned. I had a fairly good idea what would be behind the link but I figured I would press the link anyway. I wasn’t even mildly surprised at what was on that page. (source)

Prayer for Salvation

If you’ve never received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you can do it today. The following prayer is the one I prayed and the one I led Asif (my brother) in praying. Pray it now from your heart and your life both in the here and now, and in the hereafter, will be forever changed:

“Father God, I come before You admitting that I’m a sinner, and I ask your forgiveness. I thank You for sending Jesus to the cross to pay the penalty for my sin. I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is Your Son. I believe that He died on the cross, rose again and now sits at Your right hand. I receive Him now as my Lord and Savior. Heavenly Father, please come into my heart and change me. I will serve You for the rest of my life. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.”

{Call, write or e-mail us if you prayed this prayer so we can send materials to live a victorious life.}

 

Apparently that’s all it takes for someone to become a “Christian”. As hard as I try I haven’t been able to find anyone in the New Testament praying a prayer such as this “Prayer of Salvation” that Siddiki claims will cause you to change your life. This is a man-made prayer invented by a man named Charles Finney.

Frankly speaking why would anyone in their right mind ask someone they’ve never met to come into their heart and change their life forever? I know I wouldn’t. Would you?

You aren’t going to find Jesus by reading the Wisdom Ministries website. You may think you have if the Jesus you’re looking for is going to prosper you greatly or will heal all of your diseases or how the Holy Spirit will lead you into wise choices when investing in stock. That’s the Jesus Dr. Nasir Siddiki is peddling and frankly speaking that isn’t the Jesus written about in the Bible.

Why is Siddiki a hireling? In my opinion his website is set up to sell a Jesus that doesn’t exist if one were to actually take the time to investigate who Jesus was and is. This website and the various teachings have nothing whatsoever to do with sin, forgiveness, restoration or regeneration. The only ones that will prosper from Siddiki’s teachings are the Siddiki’s.

Friends. If you really desire to learn about Jesus, rather then spending 100′s of dollars on man-made teachings why not cruise over to e-sword and download the 100′s of materials they have for free and learn all about a Jesus that is foreign to Siddiki. You’ll be happy you did.

For additional reading please see;

http://phillyflash.wordpress.com/2007/04/27/dr-nassir-sidiki/

http://phillyflash.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/nasir-siddiki-and-the-seed/ 

Blackfaced Sheep by Alfred Gockel

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him a third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:17, KJV)

It is difficult to find “good undershepherds” today, simply because most individuals who are operating as God’s undershepherds are spending too much of their time trying to convince their flocks that “pastors” are better than their “sheep.” The truth of the matter is that God’s intent for “pastors” always has been for them to feed HIS sheep. HE never meant for “undershepherds” to dominate HIS sheep.

Contrary to accepted belief, there really aren’t any privileges that one “calling” has over another. Thus, even though there are CHURCH pastors, prophets, evangelists, teachers, apostles, ushers, choir members, musicians, and so forth, in God’s eyes the way people function in HIS Kingdom is not what is most important. What is most important to God is that any disobedience is sin. Therefore, God’s sheep are obeying HIS Perfect Will only when they are performing the duties assigned by God the way God wants those duties to be done.

We who are born again, saved, and justified by the blood of the Lamb are all God’s sheep, which means that even if we are anointed, appointed, and sent out to minister to our Savior’s sheep we must be cognizant of the fact that we still are just a sheep. That’s why it doesn’t matter to God if we are pew sitters or front-line soldiers; small-town preachers or worldwide tele-evangelists; or stay-at-home moms or dads, or corporate bigwigs. If the Holy Spirit is sanctifying us (equipping and empowering us), then we are God’s sheep.

Once again, since we are equals in the Kingdom of God, this is the reason why there never is supposed to be BIG and little sheep in Christ’s CHURCH. Nevertheless, there are BIG and little sheep in today’s churches. That’s why there is nothing more detestable than to hear about or to watch alleged Christian leaders portray themselves as people who “sit in Moses’ seat” or who “make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments;” or who “love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues;” or who seek and expect “greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi” (see Matthew 23:2 and 23:5-7, KJV). What makes their behaviors unacceptable is this absolute truth: the “Good Shepherd’s” sheep, over whom Christ is the ONLY Lord and Savior, never would “see” themselves as being more important than any other sheep (Body of Christ member).

Moreover, although God has entrusted portions of HIS sheepfold (CHURCH) to undershepherds (pastors), as well as apostles, prophets, evangelists, and/or teachers, for them to watch over HIS sheep (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-13), HIS sheep never should be viewed as slaves who “blindly” must do their apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers or pastors’ biddings. While this “slave” image is very negative, unfortunately this image accurately depicts the way countless pastors or undershepherds treat Christ’s twenty-first century sheep.

A major reason why the persons who are supposed to feed the Lord’s sheep often “see” themselves as being more important than the ones to whom they have been sent to minister is that these wanna be potentates are nothing more than hirelings who have exalted themselves above the masses. Indeed, some “pastors” are like many “popes,” they actually believe that the CHURCH and Her sheep are theirs. However, Christ says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep” (John 10:11-12, KJV).

Since a hireling is one who usually takes a ministry position primarily for money (is a hired hand rather than a God “called,” God ordained, and God-sent believer), this kind of person invariably has no intentions of staying on the job when the going gets rough or the prospects look greener elsewhere. A hireling also is not concerned with showing God’s sheep any love and care, unless by doing so the hireling profits from these actions—unless there are praises of men and women, or personal desires to make more money in the particular ministry (SERVICE or HELP) calling of interest.

Furthermore, when troubled, life-threatening times arise and a hireling’s sheep need to be protected from the ravenous wolf (Satan, the terror of the sheepfold), there usually is not enough money that will motivate a hireling to make any altruistic sacrifices that would guarantee the safety and well being of an entire sheepfold. The reason why this last statement is so true is because a hireling is a thief and/or a robber who cunningly enters into Christ’s sheepfold for the purpose of craftily hoodwinking HIS sheep into following false doctrines and/or ungodly visions that ultimately will kill or destroy Christ’s sheep.

Consequently, when the most vicious wolf (Satan) enters into sheepfolds (individual churches) over which hirelings are serving as pastors, these hirelings will flee because only their own welfare and security will matter. These false undershepherds ONLY are interested in saving themselves, because the idea of saving every sheep (or even some sheep) in their individual sheepfolds never will cross their minds. That’s why in times of trouble these hirelings’ main focus always will be about finding a way to save their own names, positions, possessions, and/or earthly lives.

The most important explanation for why modern-day hirelings behave as they do is because today’s hirelings, who usually are trained professionals (from a seminary, Bible college, divinity school, or a secular college and/or university), view their acceptance of their undershepherd or pastor’s appointment, eventually, if not from the onset, as a step toward bigger and better opportunities. A second reason for why hirelings act selfishly is because these counterfeit pastors will see their ministry appointment as a chance for them to make “merchandise” of God’s people (cf. 2 Peter 2:1-3).

Hirelings’ astonishing merchandising tactics are revealed the most in the ways these false pastors gain their profits—how they make a living off of God’s sheep. In the vast majority of today’s churches and ministries, the key ways that hirelings increase their profits are through the marketing and commercializing of God’s Word, anointings, talents, spiritual gifts, abilities, and the like. Yes, that’s right. They charge fees for EVERYTHING they say they are doing for the Lord.

Then too, hirelings (pastors, apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, etcetera) only are serving themselves instead of serving the Good Shepherd’s sheep, and this selfish act makes every kind of hireling not only false but also greedy. That’s why, if given the chance, these hirelings not only will fleece every one of Christ’s sheep but also they will mislead HIS sheep on purpose, all because they want to increase their own wealth, materialism, recognition, tributes, and commendations.

Instead of having the salvation of unbelievers as the main goal for increasing “church” membership—God’s profit, which holy men and women of God should seek to achieve—these hirelings ONLY are concerned about their own images, desires, fame, and other related forms of covetousness, which are temporal at best. As a result, one of these hirelings’ chief objectives is to add proselytized sheep—new converts or partnerships—to an already questionable following in their own churches or ministries, primarily so that these hirelings can receive more money, recognition, and so forth.

As previously mentioned, hirelings’ selfish character also will cause them to mislead Christ’s sheep on purpose, which usually is accomplished when hirelings propagate their own understandings and interpretations of God’s Word. In a nutshell, what many of the modern world’s hirelings are feeding God’s sheep is their own personal opinions about and analyses of God’s WORD that have been endorsed by men and women’s theologies that are rooted and grounded in fables, or NEW AGE teachings (apostasies).

Hirelings, thus, are lying to their sheep, and the most damaging lie these “hired” undershepherds tell is that God’s sheep must submit to their doctrines—or those adapted from world-renown psychologists, philosophers, politicians, television and film personalities, theologians, and the like. Once again, what makes these hirelings’ seduction and deception that much more abominable than the seduction and deception of committed unbelievers is the fact that hirelings, regardless of their functions in Christ’s CHURCH, claim they are saved and, thus, are God’s SHEEP, too!

Concerning the Great Commission, Christ tells HIS disciples that they, too, are sheep sent to minister to HIS sheepfold, with the charge to be wise, sober, alert, caring, peaceable, and loving sheep-characteristics that will set them apart from the unrighteous, worldly wolves rather than distinguish them from other sheep. Christ says, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16, KJV).

Yet, instead of operating as the chosen few that God intends for them to be, present-day undershepherds negate God’s “calling” on their lives every time they accept ministry positions with “what the ‘sheep’ can do for me” mentalities. When today’s undershepherds tend to perceive themselves as being “better than” their members, or perceive that their spiritual clout with God is more important than “ordinary” believers’ influence, this stinking thinking will cause misguided undershepherds to become haughty hirelings who have no qualms about using their imagined superiority to intimidate their followers and prospective cohorts.

Eventually, these me-first pastors will deceive and seduce Christ’s sheep until they draw many of them away from the pure, unadulterated Word of God, as well as away from HIS sheepfold. Next, these hirelings will scatter those sheep who are the most gullible and the most ignorant of God’s Divine-Truth (HIS WORD). These me-first hirelings then will desert these sheep, leaving them to seek their own ways to meet their physical and spiritual needs.

As confused, unprotected and unloved sheep, these individuals ultimately will end up running to and fro in search of “a truth” and “a way,” but their search only will lead them to another “false undershepherd.” Because they neither know how to search for God’s Divine TRUTH nor know how to detect their own ignorance about God’s Divine WAY that will lead them into the presence of the One and only “Good Shepherd,” these scattered sheep will perish by the wayside without ever receiving their promised Kingdom of God abundant green-pasture living.

It is unfortunate that today’s Body of Christ has members in it who have been sold to the wolves by undershepherds who neither love nor care for their perceived “less” knowledgeable and “less” spiritual sheep. Moreover, these alleged undershepherds also are not protective of or harmless in their dealings with their perceived “less” knowledgeable and “less” spiritual sheep.

The appalling upshot of these hirelings’ ungodly treatments of their brother and sister sheep is that these hirelings still make some kind of a profit. Indeed, it would seem as though hirelings always end up increasing their worldly wealth, materialism, recognition, commendations, and tributes, even though their individual profits are at the expense of Christian family members—an expense that often could be physical, emotional, psychological, financial, spiritual, or any combination of these five kinds of expenses.

The “…Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me” saying (Matthew 25:45b, KJV) has little influence in the lives of these scandalous hirelings who promote themselves as “good shepherds.” However, although these wicked hirelings receive earthly rewards, the Scriptures declare that Christ will cast these hirelings (unrepentant goats) into the Lake of Fire, which is their promised, everlasting punishment for the way they have ignored the needs of Christ’s sheepfold in order to benefit themselves.

Then too, since hirelings look so much like true sheep, the ONLY One who is qualified to separate true sheep from unrepentant goats is Christ. However, the final separation will not happen until near the end of the prophesied Battle of Armageddon.

What, then, is the responsibility of EVERY sheep? How can Christ’s sheep avoid being chewed up and spit out by the most vicious wolf and/or his ravenous hirelings?

Because there are many sheep-looking hirelings in today’s churches and ministries (false apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and so forth, who claim to be Christ’s believers), we who are HIS true sheep cannot trust that a sheep, is a sheep, is a sheep. Sheep’s clothing can deceive, so we are NOT to follow another sheep based on mere sight, as the blind will lead the blind into a ditch (cf. Luke 6:39).

In HIS parable about blind ditch leaders, Jesus is teaching that many church and ministry individuals only have an outward appearance of religiosity, while inwardly they are just rotten to the core. However, it is these inwardly corrupt leaders’ external displays of religion that often fools people and causes them to give their blind allegiance to these blind ditch leaders. The specific blind ditch leaders (hirelings) Christ is speaking about in HIS parable are the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes, who thought they were more righteous, holier and better than Jesus.

These first century A.D. blind ditch leaders (hirelings) had no spiritual fruit emanating from their hearts (inner spirits) because the Holy Spirit of God was not in them. Thus, the people who followed these morally and spiritually dishonest religious leaders by sight inevitably ended up becoming just as morally and spiritually rotten, inwardly, as the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes, because these religious leaders’ leaven (hypocrisy) contaminated every person with whom they came in contact.

This Divine TRUTH about leaven also applies to contemporary believers’ lives, especially if they are following wicked hirelings by sight. Since this is the case in many local churches, the only logical conclusion to be drawn is that modern-day hirelings’ hypocrisy will cause moral and spiritual corruption in both the hirelings’ lives and the lives of the sheep they are supposed to guide, which is possible because the Holy Spirit either is not in either of them, or they all have quenched Him. That’s why the deciding feature that will keep true sheep away from hirelings’ ditches must be “the voice,” because the Scriptures tell sold-out believers that Christ’s sheep will know HIS voice and follow Him, as opposed to following the voices of false christs, false prophets, false apostles, false evangelists, false teachers, and false undershepherds (pastors).

Then too, the Scriptures declare that besides being able to discern the difference between HIS voice—HIS Divine TRUTH, which is God’s unadulterated WORD—and the voices of hirelings or strangers’ “truths”—men and women’s ungodly doctrines—Christ’s sheep also will know when to flee from the presence of hirelings or strangers (cf. John 10:4-5). Additionally, the Scriptures make it clear that because Christ’s sheep know HIS voice they also will produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control). This fruit is observable in EVERY deed a Holy Spirit-filled sheep does for Christ Jesus’ sake. Moreover, Scriptures say that the lives of the Good Shepherd’s sheep not only will radiate from this fruit, but also this fruit will testify that these sheep belong to Christ (cf. Galatians 5:22-26; John 15:1-6).

Despite these aforementioned spiritual truths, the cold-hard fact about today’s believers is that no matter if Christ speaks in various forms, like shepherding, evangelizing, teaching, prophesying, singing, and so forth, there are too many “sheep” in the Body of Christ’s sheepfold (CHURCH) who are incapable of recognizing HIS voice—the pure, unadulterated GOSPEL. Too many of Christ’s “sheep” are incapable of recognizing HIS voice, because they either have deaf  ears or their ears are itching only to hear a watered-down version of God’s Divine TRUTH. As such, these lambs (babes in Christ) are preferring the teachings found in New Age fables because these lambs are ignorant of the fact that NEW AGE fables do not impart “accurate” Kingdom of Heaven revelations—spiritual wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Therefore, the hirelings who teach and preach these fables to Christ’s sheepfold are guilty of pulling the wool over some sheep’s eyes.

Eventually, in this “blind” state, these scattered and spiritually lost sheep will end up following counterfeit undershepherds until they fall away from God’s gift of salvation—until they become apostates. Apostasy, then, is the end times’ proverbial satanic ditch. Moreover, the unrepentant ditch-fallen hirelings and their followers either will die in their sins before or during the TRIBULATION period, or they will survive the Tribulation period and then die. In the case of the former, at the end of the prophesied apocalyptic seven years, they will be resurrected from the dead just so they can stand before God’s Great White Throne to be judged, and then they’ll be cast into the Lake of Fire—their second death, an eternal spiritual death. In the case of the latter, these unbelieving Tribulation survivors will be separated from Christ’s Tribulation saints, immediately judged, and then sent directly to their place in the LAKE OF FIRE—their first and last death, an eternal spiritual death (cf. Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:29b; Revelation 20:12-15).

There is but one saving grace, which is this truth: individuals who want to be counted as the sold out for Christ believers (HIS true CHURCH—true sheep) must search the Scriptures daily for Christ’s voice—God’s Divine TRUTH revealed through HIS WORD. These same individuals also must make sure that they only unite and fellowship with others who are Kingdom of God seekers and discerners of HIS voice. What’s more, the number of times Christ’s sheep hear HIS pure, unadulterated GOSPEL, along with the number of times they respond obediently to HIS command to increase their spiritual maturity, will determine when HIS sheep confidently, passionately, and assuredly will be able to follow ONLY their Good Shepherd’s voice.

For these reasons, it is crucial that real sheep know what the WORD says about how Christ’s sheep enter the Kingdom of God. The Good Shepherd says that HIS sheep are the ones who know HIS voice and follow it, as Christ leads them through the straight gate, or ‘door’ to the sheepfold. This gate or ‘door’ is Christ Jesus Himself. On the other hand, hirelings or strangers are the thieves and robbers who stealthily enter the sheepfold by sneaking over the wall that encloses Christ’s sheep. Hirelings or strangers have no legitimate right to be in Christ’s sheepfold, and this reason is why they feign HIS authority and abuse HIS true sheep.

Moreover, it is crucial that real sheep know that the Good Shepherd’s intent is to give HIS sheep an abundant life—to allow them to experience green-pasture living all the days of their lives. Contrary to the Good Shepherd’s intent, hirelings or strangers absolutely do not mean to provide an abundant life for Christ’s genuine sheep. Christ Himself says that hirelings or strangers only come into the sheepfold to steal, kill and destroy the Good Shepherd’s sheep (cf. John 10:1-10; Acts 20:28-30 and 2 Peter 2:1-3).

It is imperative, then, that Christ’s sheep listen to their Good Shepherd’s voice when HE tells them to flee from the hirelings or strangers. Hearing and obeying Christ’s voice will cause HIS true sheep’s salvation to remain intact. They will keep their eternal life with God, when they run from the hirelings or strangers’ presence, because this separation will help them to avoid falling into the ditch of New Age apostasy.

What’s more, once true sheep become God’s separated, sanctified sheepfold, the Holy Spirit will be able to teach them how to function in perfect unity—how to live together as one. The Holy Spirit also will be able to mature Christ’s true sheep so that they will produce moral and spiritual fruits, and so that they will have the desires to do holy and righteous acts. Moreover, the Holy Spirit will be able to give true sheep spiritual discernment, which will cause them to see that hirelings or strangers are only about absolute disunity.

Furthermore, because the Holy Spirit and God’s Love are absent from these children of Satan, hirelings or strangers only can produce the fruits of hypocrisies, lies, divisions, desertions, thieveries, robberies, killings, and destructions. These ungodly fruits in the wicked, unrepentant end-time goats (wolves) dressed in sheep’s clothing will confirm for Christ’s spiritually mature sheep that fleeing from hirelings or strangers’ presence is God’s Perfect Will for HIS sheep.

Once again, only spiritually mature sheep will be the ones who consistently hear and recognize their Good Shepherd’s voice. Spiritually mature sheep also will be the ones who eagerly turn a deaf ear to hirelings or strangers’ voices. Then too, spiritually mature sheep will be the ones who continually respond to Christ’s voice by emulating HIS holy and righteous character. Lastly, spiritually mature sheep will be the ones who obediently flee from hirelings dressed in sheep’s clothing, for only they will know that hirelings or strangers really are ditch-bound goats (wolves) heading toward the Lake of Fire.

A sheep, is a sheep, is a sheep, or perhaps not. Which sheep can discern what kinds of sheep are in the flocks (churches or ministries) in which they are a part of the sheepfold? Which sheep can discern if their undershepherds are living laborious lives full of ceaseless watchfulness, love and concern for Christ’s sheep, opting to stay with them day and night? Which sheep know if their undershepherds are living convenient lives full of pretentious power, filthy greed, and evil deception and seduction—who will choose to flee when the going gets tough, or when offers of greener pastures come their way?

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety and well being of other sheep, only true sheep who are functioning as undershepherds will eagerly lay down their lives as a loving sacrifice. If an “undershepherd” is not declaring and living a life that points to this kind of altruism, then that “undershepherd” is a hireling: a thief, or a robber, and a false sheep, from whom every genuine sheep must flee.

Paul has just said he would never eat meat again (the subject was meat offered to idols) if it would mean causing a weaker brother to sin by following Paul’s example. Now, in chapter nine, Paul gives an example of something he has given up in order not to offend the Corinthian church. As a concurrent theme with this example, Paul also defends his apostolic standing.

Verses 1-2

Paul starts out with a series of questions which imply a positive answer. “Am I not free?” What does that mean? I think it’s one of those cultural things. Obviously, Paul isn’t appealing to his non-slave status–no one ever said he was a slave to anyone but Christ and besides, it doesn’t fit with the subject at hand. I had to look at the commentaries for this one. The word free in this context likely refers to Paul’s right to the privilege of being “free of the house” or, in more modern words, allowed to partake of the resources of the church. As we’ll see later in this section, Paul chose not to take advantage of this privilege. It’s possible that, because he didn’t avail himself of the rights due to an apostle, some accused him of not, in fact, being an apostle.

Next, he attacks the issue more directly: Am I not an apostle? First off, there has long been  in the church some controversy over what, exactly, an apostle is. The Greek word simply means sent one, but the special meaning of the word in the New Testament seems to be that of a missionary. Some would say that there were twelve apostles who had been companions of Jesus during His life, and Paul (these are sometimes referred to the apostles of the Lamb because they had seen Jesus.) Apparently, some in Corinth also believed it was necessary to have seen Jesus in order to be an apostle, because Paul’s next question addresses this subject. It should be noted that others besides these were referred to in the New Testament as apostles, among them Barnabas, Aquila, Apollos, and others.

It has been postulated that Paul’s mention of his experience in seeing Jesus as a part of this defence of his apostleship is proof that this was, in fact, a necessary prerequisite of apostleship. I believe that Paul was simply bringing in this fact to silence his critics and avoid arguing about a point he considered irrelevant to the present conversation. It would not be the first time he followed this tack. In the chapter just previous, he does the same with the argument that idols are nothing in the world, while in chapter ten, we will see that he believes, in fact, that the meat sacrificed to idols is sacrificed to demons.

Paul mentions the Corinthians themselves as proof of his apostleship, which supports the idea of the apostles as missionaries. The proof of their apostleship would be churches planted and new disciples to Christ baptised and trained, as was the case with Paul’s relationship to the Corinthian church.

Verses 3-6

Paul expands on the fact that he does not take support from the church at Corinth, nor bring along a believing wife, nor refrain from secular labor. Some said this was because he had not the right and that he knew it, yet insisted on calling himself an apostle nevertheless–silly man. Paul says, in effect, No. I have the right. And he includes Barnabas as a fellow apostle.

Verses 7-14

Giving examples the Corinthians could relate to, Paul talks about soldiers, farmers, and shepherds. Though the soldier certainly does not own the country he passes through and the vine dresser and shepherd likely have no ownership of the resources they work with, all of them are free to meet their needs from these resources. The law commands: “Don’t muzzle the ox as it treads out the grain.” No doubt God did intend for the oxen to have a bite of grain, but, as Paul says, the real purpose of this command is to apply to anyone working with resourses they do not own. They should have the privilege of partaking of those resourses as they work with them. Paul particularly applies this to religious workers.

There’s been a recent trend to discount professional clergy as “hirelings”, to imply that lay preachers and ministers are somehow better and more sincere. However, Paul, though he chose not to partake of the temporal benefits of his office, affirms that they are the right of those God has called to the ministry.

Things always happen for a reason. In this case, there are a number of reasons that people have begun a back-lash against paid clergy. First, many clergy have taken advantage and have worked for the money. It’s one thing to be supported by the Gospel so that one is able to work full-time in the service of the Gospel. It’s another thing entirely to work the Gospel for all it’s worth and make one’s living by fleecing the sheep. There are pastors who don’t believe the Gospel and who cannot honestly call Jesus Lord. There are those who cynically use “godliness” as a means of gain. Then there are those who have fallen into the “star” trap and truly believe themselves sent of God though they are working the sheep for all they’re worth, building monuments to themselves, and often as not teaching false doctrine. One day they’ll be saying something to the effect of: “Lord, didn’t we preach for You, cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?” And Jesus will say, “Depart from me, you wrongdoers. I never knew you.”

Finally, plenty of lay people have gotten the idea that outreach is the job of the clergy. They pay the clergy and the clergy had better get off its collective underexercised hindquarters and reach the world–okay? Sorry to break the bad news (not really ), but that isn’t the clergy’s job. Well, all right. It’s the job of an apostle, but not necessarily the special provenance of prophets, pastors and teachers. These, with apostles, are given to prepare the saints (that would be the lay people–aka: most of us) for the work of service.

There are other arguments against professional clergy, but I won’t go into them here. The point Paul is making is that, Yes, clergy does deserve to earn its living from ministry, and Yes, Paul and Barnabas are included in this though they choose not to avail themselves of the support.

Verses 15-19

Paul hastens to add that he’s not saying he wants to use his apostolic prerogatives. He (probably tongue-in-cheek) insists that he doesn’t want to give up his one ground for boasting–that he offers the Gospel without receiving any financial recompence. He feels that he has no alternative to preaching, so he expects no reward for doing it. He doesn’t do it of his own volition, but is sent by God to preach. He dare not neglect this calling. Paul’s reward is in doing more than is required. That is, he preaches and does not take up an offering.

Mind, this is not required, nor is it expected of ministers. In fact, the opposite is expected. Paul never suggests otherwise. Most ministers cannot afford the luxury of working free of charge, as they have families to care for and financial obligations to meet.

Paul points out that though he has no obligations to any mere man, he has become a servant to everyone he meets in that he works for all, and without charge. Why? Paul wants to remove the obstacle to the Gospel that requiring support throws up. In the first place, the requirement of support limits the places one may go to preach. One must first raise support from a home church or find new believers willing to contribute to the cause. If no givers are found, there is a closed door. Secondly, many people are turned off by a Gospel presentation that includes a request for funding. Whether they are new believers, unbelievers, or even old believers (I don’t say mature–just old), many people balk at the idea of the preacher asking for money. This throws up an initial hurdle to accepting the Gospel which many people are not willing to leap.

So this is Paul’s example. Though he is an authentic apostle, he refuses the support due to an apostle in order to avoid hindering the effectiveness of the Gospel. If you think about it, that’s huge. Because of this, Paul and his companions had not only to preach and teach, but also to work full-time (which was longer back in the olden days–full time pretty much meant as long as there was sunlight to work by).

Verses 19-22

Paul ennumerates his adaptations for the sake of the Gospel. Paul talks about freedom and the problems of legalism frequently. Yet when he is with Jews, he behaves like a Jew. He doesn’t offend for the sake of showing off his freedom. No, it’s not necessary for him to keep the ceremonial laws, but as long as there’s no compelling reason to disregard them, he conforms for the sake of the Jews he’s hanging out with. Why offend them? There’s no point, and it will only harden them to the Gospel message.

On the other hand, when he’s with Gentiles, he doesn’t try to look superior by piously and haughtily keeping ceremonial laws that he is, in fact, freed from by the death and resurrection of Christ. He behaves in a way that Gentiles find seemly and polite.

Paul does not eat food offered to idols in such a way as to offend weaker brethren. I’ve elaborated on this elsewhere, so I won’t go into it here. His point is, “I don’t, if I know the food was sacrificed, and you shouldn’t, either. Just because you can doesn’t make it a good idea.”

Verses 23-27

Paul goes through all this so that he can contribute to the advancement of the Gospel. Nothing else matters. Paul points out that one must be focused, determined, disciplined, and dedicated. Think of the training an Olympic athlete goes through in our day. And for what? The possibility of receiving a title that, in a few years, most people will have forgotten about? And a bit of gold or silver or bronze on a ribbon? All those years and years and hours and days of training, sacrificng normal life and normal pleasures, spending the family’s funds on coaching, forgetting everything else for that?

But look at what we can win. Eternal life! Real life on a redeemed earth, spent hanging out with God our true King and loving Father, our Lord, elder Brother and Husband, Jesus the Christ, and with all our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We’ll spend our never ending days living the greatest of all adventures, having fun and never suffering trouble or pain or boredom or depression or exhaustion or sickness or any hurtful thing again, doing meaningful things, learning cool stuff, and most of all, constantly becoming closer and more intimate with our Lord.

Is it worth making a serious effort? Worth training and sometimes denying ourselves something we might legally have, except that our being seen to have it could hurt a weaker brother? Is it worth controlling ourselves and waiting to receive our good things? A thousand times Yes!

The problem I see is that most pastors are regarded as employees of the church that they serve. The reason for that is because most pastors are hired by churches in order to fulfill a particular job description, much as is done in the business world. The way we look at this “job” might or might not be in line with the Biblical perspective on what a pastor is meant to be / do. In such situations a pastor is more inclined to compromise with any unbiblical expectations of his employer otherwise he/she might loose their job.

I know of numerous pastors in both small and larger churches where there are issues in regards to the application of Biblical standards within the congregation. The churches in Sweden acknowledge the pastor mainly as a “hireling” who is supposed to yield to the decisions being made by the eldership and/or board.

It is not uncommon that the established laymen leadership (elders and board) has allowed certain unbiblical practices in the church among lay leaders, themselves and its members, thus setting up a potential division between the new appointed (hired) pastor(s) and the congregation. It is not unusual that congregations seek to recruit for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires (2 Tim.4:3). The fact is that most established churches don’t want any new pastor to rock the boat; they want peace and rest, maintaining what is going on in the church by strengthening the present and maybe making manageable changes to embrace the future!

“The hireling mentality” as I described above however, also exists among pastors.

This becomes clear to me when pastors look for promotion opportunities rather than to grow and develop on a long term basis with the church they are called to serve. Some actually are self-interested, showing greater concern for their compensation package and the earthly security it supposedly brings than ministering to the body of believers they are called to serve (Jn.10:12,13).

The practice of regarding pastors as employees has not been the norm through the church’s history. Historically, pastors have not been considered to be employees, but bond-servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, they are slaves of Christ, not slaves to an employer.

My family and I have during 15 years lived and ministered without a regular salary. A couple of years after we started New Life Church (where I presently still am serving as a pastor), we received for the first time a part-time salary which as time passed has been raised and is a full-time salary today. Our church has well taken care of us although I for one, have been opposed to raising my salary at times because I preferred to use the money to provide support for other workers so that we could form a team. I consider myself a bond-servant to Christ and not an employee first of all (although legally I am in that position within the context of the Swedish society). So, in essence I am saying that you as pastor have to make a decision whether you are a “hireling” or have been “called” as a pastor! If you cannot exercise the gifts God has given you, or cannot minister as a pastor you might have chosen the wrong place to minister. (By the way; did you take the employment because a job was offered when you needed it, or was it a CALL from God?!)

Let’s face it; some pastors need to get rid of their hireling mentality, but so do some churches!

I have friends in churches where they receive very little support and encouragement from the congregations they serve. They experience that they have minimal impact in the direction of the church’s ministry and often find themselves on the receiving end of hurtful criticisms. Others are inadequately compensated and feel little appreciation for the important work that they do on behalf of the church. Expressions of discouragement and unhappiness are not uncommon, and for some, ministry is no longer a sense of calling from God nor a source of joy and satisfaction in their life!

Do members understand the concept of being a people of God?

Much of how we relate to our pastors depends on how we as individual members understand our relationship to the life of the church and its ministries. Are we essentially religious consumers who see ourselves as being receivers of ministry, or do we understand ourselves to be part of the people of God who partner and who have a vital role in helping to fulfill the church’s collective ministry? Do we see our pastors as employees who are paid to serve to congregational customers or as spiritual leaders whose ministries of the Word of God and their leadership enables us to better fulfill our ministries of service and proclamation in the world?

Our answer to those questions makes all the difference in the world when it comes to determining our expectations of the pastoral ministry and those who are called to serve within it. Our pastors are neither self-made nor self-maintained.

They need to be supported, encouraged and affirmed. And when we neglect that important work, we pay a very heavy collective price. I’ve never known a church whose spirit, enthusiasm and commitment to ministry exceeded that of its leadership. I’ve never experienced a vibrant, flourishing congregation whose pastor wasn’t also receiving generous amounts of prayerful support and encouragement from its members!

Remember, it’s not simply a matter of getting the kind of leadership we deserve. It’s more a matter of receiving precisely the kind of leadership we choose to call forth and then support.

That’s the Way I see it,

John