“OCCUPATIONAL ARROWS...”
I think that all of my "Facebook Friends" KNOW that I'm a "preacher of the Gospel", and I'm sure that all those who both read or view my posts - are frequently "watching"; what I say, what I "like" or comment on, and how I generally represent myself through this social medium..
I wouldn't expect anything less, and I concur with the premise that "spiritual leaders" should be held to both a higher accountability and greater responsibility - than nominal followers.
My heart bleeds, as I watch:
- the innocent and ignorant follow "fallen" men, without a genuine sentiment for The Lord's higher purpose, or those who really possess, God's heart;
- the religiously obligated, who blindly commit to support unprofitable ventures and unproven personalities that take advantage of the poor, instead of properly stewarding God's Storehouse - so that HIS people prosper;
I've said this for several years now, but many of our "metrics for success" - is totally off, and our philosophical and theological premise for doing ministry - is skewed..
There are basically two diametrically opposed "extremes" that I've encountered in my service to the Body of Christ:
#1 - People generally don't trust a preacher, no matter how much he communicates, seeks accountability and openly shares how "funds" are used.
#2 - People blindly trust a preacher, no matter what may never happen that he promises, or how long things stay the same, without ever improving.
#3 - People want to trust a preacher, but they've been so jaded by past experiences, that even when God puts a real man or woman of God in their path, there afraid, distrusting or toxic.
I've really battled in my heart with "returning to Los Angeles", in the middle of one of the most complex environments to "do ministry": without consistently encountering the temptation to follow the crowd; without succumbing to the temptation to do your own thing; and without bowing to the temptation to serve the gods of this region, which desire a compromising vessel that will always be "subject" to their influence..
The "occupational arrows" are enough to make me and many other sincere leaders, deeply contemplate and question their investments in this area of the world, but yet "when you're really called" - you can't give up or forfeit the people you're called to serve!
PLEASE PRAY for all the genuine "front-line leaders", who consistently and sincerely serve the flock of God!
SHOW appreciation and generosity to those who invest the Word of God into your life!
Don't make us suffer, for the abuse, misuse, and misrepresentation of others!
I'm asking God to heal the Church, and restore where there've been obvious abuses and miscarriages of "just stewardship".
It's one of the PRIMARY REASONS the Church is being negatively affected, in the midst of the famine-like economic disturbances that has impacted this country!
There is a JUDGMENT on excesses, and God has begun HIS refining work with us!
#Align-Your-Seed-With-HIS-Purpose! WS-3
Walter L. Smith III
Founder/President
Pure In Heart Int'l Ministries, Inc./
The Center For Kingdom Advancement
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