EPHESIANS 4:29( NIV)
“DO NOT LET ANY UNWHOLESOME TALK COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, BUT ONLY WHAT IS HELPFUL FOR BUILDING OTHERS UP ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS, THAT IT MAY BENEFIT THOSE WHO LISTEN”.
The circular world of doing things is gradually finding it’s way into the scheme of running the church.
Despite the healthy dynamics in most flourishing churches, a few individuals find the least opportunity to bully; from pastors to ordinary church members. Oxford Dictionary defines bullying as: “a person who uses strength or influence to harm or intimidate those who are weaker”. This could be in school among children or workplace among adults. Though the church is God’s institution, it was set up by people, and wherever human behaviour exist, bullies can be found including the church.
Churches are places where “influence is valued”. Hierarchies emerge within churches based on factors of “INFLUENCE”; such as who has been a long time member, a person’s financial contribution, etc. I dare say, that church bullies have always been around since the inception of the church in the 1st century, but bullies are more visibly seen in recent times than in history. One common feature of church bullies is that, they do not see themselves as bullies, but rather, as necessary heroes sent to save some individuals in the church or the church as a whole. In most cases, they have a self-serving agenda.
They have already determined what the church of God should look like. With this pre-conceived mindset, no church activity or programme must go contrary to their perceived ideas. They form power alliances with weak and disloyal church members to intimidate the system. They will pester and convince groups, ministry directors and some leaders to be their allies, they then begin to frustrate the activities of the church. Can’t you see this bullying trend is becoming epidemic? Those who engage in destructive, divisive behaviour and are much more difficult to deal with, their intent is to gain power and influence.
What is your real intent in your place of worship? What do you use your influence for in your church?
To be cont..
Stay blessed always and remember to love someone and mean it.
#sociallysignificant #Lukebarson #Libertybreakfast
Rev. Prophet Luke Luki Barson is the Senior Pastor at Liberty House Christian Centre at Tema Community 25.
He has studied at the University of Ghana, the Methodist University College and the Christian Service University College.
He is currently a PhD student at the University of South Africa.
Source: BestNewsGH.com
