If we must carry out to full what God has given us to do here on earth no matter our location, no matter our jobs or kind of ministry given to us by the Holy Spirit then we must follow the example pf Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Apostle Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” This should ever be the mind set of every child of God especially to those who have been given sheep to lead. As seen in the first part of the way of doing Jesus ministry, let us see the remaining steps.

Step 4…… MANAGING YOUR RESOURCES: Resources comes in diverse forms: time, gifts/talents, money, workers (members), etc. I will write on these four. Jesus managed all the resources that the Father gave Him.

a) Jesus taught His disciples the essence of time management and their gifts (Matthew 25: 14 – 29; Romans 12: 3 – 8). Time is one of the most precious thing God has given to man. Each second lost can never be redeemed. A Nigerian singer sang a song that says,

time na money ooo (time is money)

time na money (time is money)

do better thing (do go thing meaning find a job and do a legal job)

no waka waka (don’t be fooling around)

money no dey come from (money doesn’t fall from heaven)

do better thing money go come (be useful and money will come).

That is why we need to engage ourselves in fruitful works. As a pastor praying for faithful workers is one thing, but it’s a herculean task for them to be in the area of their calling that will harness their gifting so they can be fruitful.

b) Jesus also managed all the disciples given to Him by God. He also carried everybody along such like in the case of Mary and Martha (Luke 10: 38 – 42); in case of James and John’s request for a specific position (Mark 10: 35 – 45). As a pastor you should not tolerate gossip, this is a killer! I bet you no matter how anointed and gifted you are, and you condone gossip among members, definitely it will eat up the whole congregation like cancer. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others and move on.

c) Jesus also managed the little food that was increased to feed the five thousand (Mark 6: 35 – 44). It is so sad to see that many have messed up their credit cards, and can no longer have enough money as income because of unnecessary over drafts taken from the bank to buy irrelevant things. It is so sad that God has brought helpers our way but because of inability to manage God’s blessings in the form of human beings, we treat and use them for our own gain without giving back (you service a relationship just like the way you service cars if not it will pack up).

Peter asked the Lord that they having left everything to follow Him, what then will there be for them the disciples? Jesus replied that when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me (Jesus) will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.  Ask this kind of question some places, and you will be termed a lover of money. You cannot call people to support you without expecting them to have a sense of belonging even though God rewards us, it is you (the pastor) or any other person the Lord will use to be a blessing to those working under you.

Step 5…… LIVING ABOVE REPROACH: In His teaching and by His example, Jesus warned His followers to avoid hoarding possessions, to give to the poor, and to value what will not rust or decay. “For where your treasure is,” Jesus said, “there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). As a pastor do you live by example or by “mere” words without commensurate actions? It’s so unfortunate that many false prophets/teachers are going about deceiving many people.  In today’s world a person who goes naked is celebrated as a celebrity. Sin is rampant everywhere, and the love of many is growing cold. This has made many weak Christians in the church to sit at home and gradually turn away from God. A healthy church starts from the head. Complete obedience to God’s Word will not only prosper you and your members, it leads us to fulfilling our God-given purpose and a stress free ministry (Joshua 1:8).

Step 6…… GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY: Jesus said, “he who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood” (John 7:18). Many at times you may have a good idea but is that what God wants you to do? As a pastor you should learn to seek the face of God in “all” matters. Do not take it for granted that God is blessing the works of your hands and you now take matters into your hands there by wanting God to consent every idea you bring. You must remember that the work is God’s own, and must be done in His own way – all for His (God’s) purpose (Romans 8:28). It is all about Jesus and no one else.

Our Lord Jesus Christ even though He was equal with the Father still humbled Himself to seek the face of the Father before He (Jesus) proceed to do anything. Jesus also said something remarkable for us to learn from in Mark 10:18; “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. No matter how great God is using you or how spectacular you think your ministry is, you should know that all has been given to you by God (John 17:7), and all glory must be given back to Him. Serve to glorify God and Him alone.

Step 7…… FINISH WELL AND HAND OVER THE BATON: Jesus prayed in John 17:4 saying, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” Even though you may not have started well, you can still end well for Christ started well and ended well. He showed us example of “how to do” and “what to do” in ministry clearly in the Bible so that we all in whatever capacity given to us will not only be fruitful will also make heaven after all the toils here on earth. Jesus handed over to those chosen by the Father. Beloved, if you must finish well then you must pray and seek the face of the Father to choose for Himself whom shall replace you when the time comes. Sometimes it is hard for some to do this because they believe that no one else except their children deserve to reap the fruit of their labour. Until you begin to see that this work is God’s work and not yours only then can the grace to finish the race successfully will begin to manifest in you. You are bound to fail no matter how successful you think you are if you see members, buildings and God’s blessings upon your life as your personal possessions. No matter the price paid, it is about Jesus, and Him alone. (Please take time and meditate on John 17: 13 – 19; Joshua 27:18). 

Excerpts from biblehub.com