As church leaders,we meet all kinds of people. But no matter who you meet, whether in leadership position or an ordinary member of the church or work place, be “careful” of people who see you for the first time and begin to shower praises on you.
People who make you feel like you are the “only saviour” of his or her life. ( Joshua 9:1-24). When the Gibeonites started praising Joshua,he forgot to consult God ( vrs 14 and 15) and entered into a treaty ( covenant) that gave Joshua a lot of heartache at the end. In my line of work, I have met people like that. They will praise you from all intent and purposes and later betray you with insubordination. Such people I call “DESPERATE DEPENDENTS”. These people walk into your office, home or workplace and act as if you are the only person that can save them. Often, people like that have needs that are real and deep.
Most church leaders, especially pastors are compassionate. If a leader is not soft in the heart, compassionate and yet tough, such a person can not be a leader. Most church leaders are kind and compassionate and want to make a noticeable difference in the lives of others. “The desperate dependent” will often provide suggestions, steps and solutions to programmes and activities of the church. They will elect themselves to take full responsibility for their implementations and give you high praise for them. But beneath all these good gestures, is a hidden agenda to sabotage your leadership and authority.
Desperate dependents are like constituents, their loyalty, commitment and submission is dependent on what you can give them. When you stop the supply, their loyalty switches. MAY THE GOOD LORD OPEN YOUR EYES TO IDENTIFY ALL DESPERATE DEPENDENTS.
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
