THE PROBLEM WITH PASTORS CHILDREN Many a times we wonder why men of God give birth to children that are very much unlike them. So many times, Pastors, Prophets, General Overseers and Gods anointed servants are agitated over the unscrupulous, despicable and unbecoming character of their children and wards. This anomaly is not new as it happened to Gods prophets in the Bible from Prophet Elis sons to Prophet Samuels sons. In 1 Samuel 2:1. Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels who had no respect for the LORD. Also, 1 Samuel 8: 1-3. As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel. Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba. But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice. I have thus come up with the following reasons, rationale and redemptive panacea to this unacceptable predicament. 1. You are Gods servant, not your children! You are the one God called to ministry, not your children. The society places much importance and invaluable premium on the lifestyle of Pastors children simply because their parents are Pastors! It wouldnt make news if the children of an Atheist or a criminal were wayward as much is not expected of them and their descendants. The Christian race is individualistic. Many of the Pastors children are Christians by birth- (Christians because their parents are Christians and not by virtue of having a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour). Consciously introduce Christ to your children with love, do not force Christ on them; lest you achieve the opposite of your desired objective. Correct your children when they are corrigible, not when they have developed an independently obstinate mind. The case of Tolani Ajayi who murdered his father, Pastor Charles Ajayi, SAN in provocation over refusal to follow Godly instructions is rife. 2. Lead by example, not by precepts!: children learn by imitation, not by assimilation! Let your life preach to your children; it is more effective than a litany of preaching. Actions they say, speaks louder than a million words. You are the Bible your children, neighbours and the society read! You cannot be a wife-beater, a connoisseur of curses, vulgar, unedifying and abusive words at home and expect your children to be any different from you! We call you a Pastor; only you know who you really are! Real leaders do not tell their followers what to do: they show them how its done! Dont be the Priest by day and the Prankster by night! 3. Your number 1 ministry is your home! Your primary missionary assignment as a Pastor is to your family. Dont be a successful Pastor, but a failed family man! No one will follow your God If your children and wife dont serve your God. Do not be the Pastor whose children wrote this epitaph on his grave yard: Behold the tomb of a successful Preacher, prosperous Pastor, wonderful General Overseer, uncaring husband, and an absent and an unsuccessful father! Devote time for your family as much as your ministry! The church is Gods vocation; your family is your occupation- Occupy till I come. Dont be a weekend husband and father- A weekend father is a wicked father. 4. Emit awe and reverence! Be firm, respectable and fearful. Many children and wives of Pastors take Pastors for granted because of too much familiarity. Too much familiarity they say, brings contempt. You can be loved as a father but you must be feared as a Priest. The visit of Prophets Elijah and Samuel in the Biblical days was always greeted with trembling. He who hears God directly is not to be disrespected and discountenanced. Many Priests have lost potency, power, dread and command these days due to malignant corruption and sin. 5. Pray specially for your children as they are prime targets for the enemy, principalities and powers of darkness. Many evil machinations are directed to Pastors children when they chase out demons. The house maid breaks the leg of her Masters goat when ventilating her grievances: the Devil attacks the Pastors children and wives if it is unable to overpower the Pastors. May God personally touch the lives of the children of His servants and prevent them from the path of destruction and ridicule to His Holy, infallible and undefilable name. (Amen). Happy sunday to you all. Tosin Ayo, (The word bank).
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 14:24:51 +0000
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