God is always in the business of maturing believers and conforming them to the image of His Son –Jesus Christ– and calls every gospel minister to partner with him in this endeavor. (Romans 8:29-30/ 2 Corinthians 3:18).
I wonder, though, if ministers appreciate this responsibility, let alone do it.
Some gospel ministers have made the message all about themselves. They preach about their lives, not the Bible. Pastors are obsessed with having the congregation follow in their footsteps and do things as they do. Instead of pointing people to God, they point them to themselves.
Tragically, they have disposed of Jesus and taken center stage.
This is a very wrong attitude. Every minister’s job description, whether a part of the fivefold ministry, a musician, a DJ, a cell group leader, or all believers (for everyone is a leader in their own capacity), you name it, is to build the body of Christ in faith and the knowledge of God to maturity and attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Simply, to help conform the recipients of their ministry to the image of the Son.
Our call is to help God’s people become more like God and not us. We must ensure all our words and actions are geared towards helping the saints in our care mature in their faith and grow in godliness.
Only then can we be faithful in our ministry.
Dangers of pointing people to self
A signpost is not an end in itself; it points to something else. For instance, a signpost with the name ‘Hope Town’ points people to ‘Hope Town’, not to itself. Its importance lies in how it successfully points people in the right direction.
Saint, you are God’s signpost. Point people to God, not yourself. Your importance and success are seen in how well you can point people to God.
If that is reversed, things go haywire. These are the two main dangers that arise when ministers point to themselves.
1. Tainted image of God
Firstly, you are not perfect. When you falter or disappoint your followers, they might imagine God has failed, too, and the faith of many is ruined.
Take the focus off you and put it all in God. Point people to the perfect God, the solid rock who never stumbles. That’s how to build mature believers who will remain committed to God regardless of what happens to the ministers.
2. Leads to idolatry
Given, the grace of God and his anointing upon our lives attract people to us to follow and be like us. So much so that some would want to elevate and esteem us more highly than necessary.
Don’t allow pride to crop in so that you allow people to elevate you to an unhealthy level. This breeds subtle idolatry.
God will not share his glory with anyone (Isaiah 42:8). Instead of soaking in the glory, be quick to point people to Christ. When they see God’s glory glowing in you, point them to its source –God.
Decrease and let God increase in you (John 3:30)
Follow me as I follow Christ
There is a place for setting a good example for those you minister to emulate. The Apostle Paul urged believers to follow him as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
But there’s a caveat. Notice this: believers are to follow their leaders only if they follow Christ. It won’t be godly to submit (read: allow yourself to be led) to a minister who lives a compromised life and is not repentant.
So, by all means, set a good example for the saints, but don’t grow larger than life, and you start obscuring God. That’s dangerous. Instead, magnify God so the people see your light shine and glorify God (Matthew 5:14-16). Let your followers see God, even through your life.
Conclusion: point people to God, not yourself
Gospel minister, into whose image are you conforming the saints? Your job description demands you conform them to the image of God, not yours.
Do just that.
Focus on helping people see and experience God. When you get an opportunity to minister, shine the spotlight on God. Keep it simple, keep it Jesus.
Decrease and let God be magnified. Allow God to remove all that is your own and fill you with Himself so that you elevate his name and point people to him.
Even when people come to you for advice, don’t be quick to tell them to do things as you did or the way you think it should be done. Point them to God with practical Biblical truths.
It’s not about you; it’s all about Jesus.