Growing anything requires work. If you ever think that something will grow on its own because it has the potential to, but fail to put the commensurate work attached to it, no matter how much growth potential that thing has, it will remain stagnant.
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This is the story of a 5-year-old ministry and the commissioning of a Pastor to grow it. You see, having the gift of a calling is great. It is a drive that on its own can motivate one to take up any challenge at all. However, every challenge will test your hunger for growth. And for every level of growth, there will be sacrifices you must make.
This is the story of a young Pastor in Lagos, Nigeria. I will choose to keep the names of the minister and ministry anonymous in this letter. But note that everything I share here is a true life experience.
The Pastor was really nervous when he was told he would be pastoring a Church. Like every young guy, you believe there is life ahead of you and you’ll rather live a life of purpose outside pastoring. But you see, in this era, God is calling more sheep into the fold, some who’ll carry pastoral titles, and some others who would not.
Let’s say his name is Pastor O. Pastor O gets the information about his new assignment and at first instance, he resisted it. After giving it some time, thought and prayer, he realized this was what God wanted him to do. So he went back to his spiritual father to confirm his acceptance of the said role and new responsibility.
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According to him, on the day of his ordination and Church commissioning, the church was filled with people. A great number of people in the congregation is always an encouragement to any minister and so Pastor O saw hope anytime he looked at the congregation. It was like the sight of success before commencing his work.
By the next few Sundays, Pastor O realised that the church membership number had reduced. In fact, he realized that the familiar faces he used to see among the people were no longer there. This became the real start of the ministry for him.
Scripture says, Paul planted, Apollos watered and God gave the increase. It is true that growth and increase only come from God but as ministers, the work of planting and watering is solely yours to carry out. When Pastor O examined the situation, he came to a realisation that those familiar faces he saw were those friends and families who loved him and wanted to support him. But at some point, they had to go back to their own church. Instead of taking offence, he sought creative ways to build his own audience.
Every call, minister and ministry have their specific target audience. If you take offence that your loved ones do not buy into your vision, chances are you already put a limit on those who should engage and encounter the work you do as a minister.
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You must plant, water, and market your message to attract the kinds of audience your work is designed to bless. Today, Pastor O’s Church has branches in various states in Lagos as well as the US, and the UK.
Nobody will do the work of planting and watering if you don’t get to it. Even Jesus started His work knowing who He was sent to and how he must market it.
Dear Minister, you get to decide the metamorphosis of your growth potential. Will it stay as a potential or will you let it manifest its fullness?
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It’s about taking responsibility.