I laid down on my bed, faced the ceiling, was lost in thoughts as I was contemplating over a conversation I had with a friend and the Lord drew my attention to some key factors that is responsible for some demise in ministerial career which I’d love to share with you.
As a worship Leader there are things that we must never overlook and other things we must take into High consideration so as to fulfil Gods purpose in worship and on Earth. I always tell those around me that God has Called us to ministry to serve(lead) leadership starts with service. A leader must first be a servant, which therefore makes a Leader a Master degree holder in the art of service.
In order for us to fulfil Gods calling in our lives we must make sure we constantly check ourselves so as not to think we stand while are deep in our own demise. 1Cor 10:22.
In this article I’ll take time discuss on five key things a worshipper must flee from in order to succeed in Ministry.
- Money: They say it answereth all things quite right but as important as it may be, it is also very important to be mindful of money because money has a spirit and most especially as worship leaders we must be mindful of it. I once had the opportunity to counsel an upcoming Gospel Art and also took time to listen to his complains and believe me they were reasonable. Finance is an important aspect of ministry but it’s also important to know that he who has called you is able to sustain you. This is a very sensitive area to discuss as regards ministry that’s why I’m also working on an Article which I captioned “Money and the MAN”.
Most people get carried away by all the gains in becoming a music minister, the recognition,the fame, the attention and you name it, that they begin to miss their fleshly desires for Gods plans. As ministers we must make sure that money is not our goal, impact and soul winning should be our ultimate goal and believe me every other thing shall be added unto you. Mathew 6:33
- Fame: I got really pricked in my spirit when a young man called me up and after introducing himself he went on to say “I am on a mission to Stardom,the world must hear my name and I want you to be apart of it” at first I didn’t know what to say to him because I didn’t want to sound rude while correcting him, so I hunged up and sure he called back and I told him I said” young man before you take a step ask for direction, you can’t move comfortably in an unknown direction and I think if you wanted my attention you should have phrased your sentence this way. “I’m on a Mission to announce the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world.” And maybe we would have had a discussion.
I am bluntly saying to any Gospel Artist if this is your reason for going in to Ministry, You Have missed it!Psalms 11:3
It’s necessary to understand the purpose of a journey before embarking on it. Let not your focus be Fame and recognition let God be your focus and everything shall be added unto you. Now let me draw your attention to some important benefits of the Kingdom from Gods word. If you read psalm 103:2-5 ” Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies;who satisfieth thy mouth with Good things so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle”.
That passage clearly lists out the benefit of serving God which I’d list below for easy comprehension.
• Forgiveness
• Physical healing for your body
• Protection from your enemies
• Promotion and recognition
• Financial provision
• Youthfulness and energy
These all points down to seeking first the Kingdom
- Pride: This is a very key fact in ministry as it can lead to a massive downfall over a period of minimal success. I told someone some time ago that “you are not doing God a favour by being his servant rather you should count yourself privileged of being a vessel in the masters vineyard because he could have chosen any other vessel but he Choose you! We tend to think of ourselves specially because we have attained a certain height in ministry and we tend to think we have arrived but we haven’t even started yet. We are not more special than those who park cars at the church auditorium neither are we more special than those we constantly clean the toilets and the church surroundings.
In Gods eyes we are equal and let me shock you. The reason why we are here is because they( your congregation) are special. They are the reason we were called in the first place. Can there be a church without a congregation? A music without a listener, an Artist without an audience? No! The reason why God has called us is because of his unending love for his children he wants his children to know him more which means he gave us the responsibility for those in our congregation, the lost on the streets,the touts in the garage. Etc. So I’d rather we look at ourselves as someone with a responsibility not one with a chip on his shoulder. James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Where fore he saith, God resisteth the proud ,but giveth Grace to the humble.
- Sin: This should have been my first point but I think before we call ourselves ministers we must have been free from the bondage of sin. But not withstanding we must flee; as in run from anything that doesn’t glorify God. Which means if our attitude doesn’t glorify God we drop it, if our relationships doesn’t bring glory to God we flee. Sins like stealing, lies, disobedience, adultery/ furnication e.t.c are termed as major sins but should I bring it to your notice that what ever you do that doesn’t please God is a Sin. Sin corrupts the Anointing. Proverbs 14:34
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FRIENDS/Relationships: your relationships either MAKE you or BREAKS you, it either AID you or RUIN you. We must be take caution in choosing our friends. Friends are the primary deciding factor of once CHARACTER, character is the foundation on which destiny is built. The interpretations of circumstances determines one’s character. Your level of Morality determines the level of your character. Knowledge of the word is so important in building character it also builds your understanding about relationships. When you loose money you lost nothing, when you loose health you have lost something, but when you loose character you have lost everything.
The success of a True Friend reflects in his positive impact in the lives of his friends. How would you know who your true friends are? A Friend is someone who First sees you as a friend and believes in Gods grace on your life and would stop at nothing to aid you in the realisation of your purpose.
Summary
1 kings 3:3 “And solomon loved the Lord,walking in the statutes of His father David: only he sacrificed and Burnt incense in high place. Note: solomon loved the lord not the throne. Our love for God should be ever burning, I understand the throne has a way of diverting a mans attention but let his word be your guide. David said “thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I may not sin against you” let Gods word be you instructor, corrector and it’s sure to guide you alright.
Remember we are Co-labourers we’ll one day give account of what we did. I pray for Grace,Amen.
About author:
About Author: Joseph Pius otherwise known as Sirjoe is a young worshipper, song Writter, Recording Artist who’s had the calling of God in his life to lead Gods people into his presence in Sincere worship and also to teach on the essence of worship. He’s the president of CALLED OUTREACH an N.G.O devoted to assisting orphans worldwide.
Connect on twitter@Sirjoeng
Facebook: Sirjoe
Email:[email protected]
