 |
| Pastor O.A. Akinpelu |
By Boluwatife Oparinde
Church ministers and clerics have been counselled on the need to build godly homes, which is their primary place of ministry, and to serve as exemplary models for local church members.
The DCC Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Agbala-Itura DCC, Ibadan, Pastor O. A. Akinpelu, gave this counsel on Wednesday, 21st September, 2022, while speaking on the topic, "The Pastor's Home: A Model for Growing the Church (Noah and Joshua)" at the CAC Pastors' Conference at Babalola Memorial Camp Ground, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State.
The cleric admitted that "the undeniable truth is that the day to day reality of Pastoral ministry is exceptionally enormous and sometimes highly pressing. Equally, the demands and expectations of the Church as an organization and as “members of Christ” are always greater than what an individual can meet as a Pastor and these directly affect the wife and the children. Unfortunately, our success in ministry is always our first priority and this is usually undertaking at the expense of the health and survival of our spiritual and physical lives and that of our family."
According to him, "most of us are overwhelmed with a lot of commitments to our members without considering the impact that they are making on our home. Some of us have made our wife and children ordinary and irrelevant to our life and ministry. The number of followers that we have and the progress we are making in the ministry have deceived us just like Adam and the consequences are already manifesting or waiting to explode any moment from now if not checked. Some of us spend time focusing on getting rather than focusing on living. Unfortunately when the end comes, we will be left with our life, wife and possibly our children. This attitude of ours in one way or the other is definitely contributing to the challenges most of us are facing at home and the growth of our local assembly."
"In actual fact, the Pastor’s home should be a model for growing the Church. Family life is important to the well-being of the church. God started human race with family (Gen. 1:26-27). If families are not healthy and vibrant, the church will not be healthy and vibrant. Therefore, Pastor must do all within his power to make his home a model for members of the church and her growth. Pastor’s success in ministry and life lies in his home (1Tim. 3:5)," he harped.
Describing the Biblical responsibilities of Pastors as fathers in their homes, Pastor Akinpelu noted that negligence of these responsibilities may cause, "the wife will be turned into a “witch”; the children will likely become fugitives and vagabonds like Cain (Genesis 4:14) and worthless like the sons of Eli (1 Samuel 2:12-17); they will take an offence against God and the Church for taking their father away from them; the wife and the children will see us as loving the Church more than them; our wife will regret marrying a Pastor and our children will hate being known as Pastor’s children; it makes us an hypocrite."
Relating errors to avoid in Ministry such as,"Pursuit of power; Pursuit of achievement; Material possession; Wanting to do everything; Zeal without knowledge; Efforts to be successful in ministry and not in life; Trying to please people; Living life of pretense; Seeking for the approval of men and not God; Inability to know when enough is enough," the clergyman also identified that the following factors can hinder church growth, "when the family is lacking cohesion and unity expected of a Pastor’s home; when the minister has suddenly become vulnerable to sexual misconduct or even financial impropriety; when it is becoming apparent that the minister has lost focus of his ministry; when wife and children of the Pastor are becoming lukewarm at things of the spirit, including church activities; when the family is being threatened by unchristian blights such as separation or divorce; when it is becoming evident that the family is lacking self-control and no longer sensitive to the Holy Spirit; when the behaviours of the children or that of the wife of the minister are becoming embarrassing to the church and casting reproach on the body of Christ."
On how to become models as Pastors, he highlighted, "involvement of Pastor’s family members in the ministry activities of the church. Keeping a very conducive home environment with the evidence of joy, peace, unity and happiness. Radiance of love in the family, with wife and children willing to project the positive image of the minister in ministry. Commitment of the minister to family issues and financial responsibilities without being a burden on the church members. Demonstrate true Christian characters. (Titus 1:7, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 5:1-3). Be faithful to your wife. Give God to your children. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 11:19, Psalms 78:4-6, 1Chronicles 28:9). Be diligent to present yourself approved to God. (2 Timothy 2:15). Live the sermon you preach. (Matthew 7:24 – 25). Care for the flocks of Christ. Live a life of discipline. (1 Corinthians 9:27). Be well acquainted with your flocks. (Proverbs 27:23-27). Create boundaries – avoid unnecessary touch and close relationship with opposite partner."
"The life of the minister is the life of his ministry. Every Pastor must make a clear distinction between his family and the ministry. We should not confuse our service to God with our obligation to the church of God. It is a life mistake to succumb to the pressures of the ministry at the expense of our families," he continued.
Making allusions to the godliness of Noah and his family in a corrupt world but for his unguardedness at his tail end, and Joshua's commitment to serve God with his household, Pastor Akinpelu concluded that, "the real success of a man of God is for his family to be saved and be a model for other families. This will indeed help in growing the Church."