MINISTRYMATTERS

(Why? When? How?)

Some years ago, I was under Bishop David Oyedepo’s ministration at Holy Ghost Convention in Ibadan, hosted by Bishop Francis Wale Oke.

Before Bishop Oyedepo started preaching, he talked briefly about how God brought himself and his covenant friend, Bishop Francis Wale Oke together.

He then made a statement that struck a chord in my heart, “Our spirits just got connected, and ever since then, it has remained so.”

What a blessed statement it was to me – “Our spirits just got connected…”. Little wonder the relationship is still standing after 40 years.

Now, dear friend, there are many areas of ministry where you need a HEART CONNECTION – fathering, mentoring, friendship, followership, partnership, and so on and so forth.

Lacuna in HEART CONNECTION breeds friction and confusion in ministry.

The truth of the matter is that YOUR HEART CANNOT BE “CONNECTED” TO EVERYONE IN MINISTRY.

I wish I could say that a million times over and over again!

In life and ministry, your most treasured and priceless asset is your HEART.

You see, you should and must love everyone with the love of Christ but your heart cannot just get “connected” to everyone.

In ministry, you will see people who will go the extra mile to listen to you and read your materials and then you will also see people who aren’t moved a bit by your ministry, even if you’re vomiting fire 🔥🔥🔥.

Maturity says you should understand that difference, leave room for it and take no offence at anyone.

There are ministers whose words suit your spirit and you can listen to them 24 hours in a day and read their books every time with utmost delight.

Conversely, there are ministers who although, are sound, loaded, resourceful, Worded, Spirit-filled but whose words don’t just “appeal” to you.

I think ministers should understand that the system is designed that way and there’s no need to get insecure or embittered at anyone.

By God’s Grace, I get to meet a lot of people regularly who tell me how my teaching ministry has been a tremendous blessing to them, yet there are people who don’t listen to me or read my materials.

Some even unfriend me online from time to time.

Why will I be offended with that? You see, I may not be cut out for them, and that’s the fact; some other minister will bless them tremendously. Glory to God!

You may have great SUBSTANCE but some folks may not just flow with your STYLE and it doesn’t mean that they have committed the unpardonable sin.

It’s the same Kingdom we’re building. Varieties and diversities are the “spices” of this Kingdom.

Truth is that we’re different from each other. So far no one is walking in offence, then so be it!

If it’s a matter of HEART CONNECTION, then it’s permissible within Biblical context because your heart can’t be “connected” to everyone.

Truth is that there are ministers I don’t also listen to. They’re great men but there’s no just any HEART CONNECTION.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I didn’t say I could not learn from them; what I meant was that I don’t listen to them as a matter of custom or consistently.

Don’t force yourself to be who you’re not. There’s no trophy for men pleasers. There’s no prize for those who play to the gallery.

So stay true to yourself. Be real, and of course the balance is that you must be open to the Spirit of God in connecting you with people in ministry.

Why did I say that? You see, there could be an instance where the Spirit of God is bringing you into a relationship but currently, there’s no “heart connection”.

As you open up to Him, He will work on your heart and work out the details – that’s the only class of exception to what we’re talking about here.

HEART CONNECTION cannot be pushed to the foreground in ministry discourse.

Without a heart connection, there will always be pressure somewhere and there will be divided loyalty.

I don’t want to follow anyone in ministry out of a sense of duty or out of pressure. No!

I want to follow based on heart connection, out of personal revelation, love and affection for them and ultimately because the Lord is leading me in that direction.

Likewise, I don’t want anyone to follow me with their hearts a thousand miles away from me.

I have had to release and excuse people in the past based on that and I’m not saying this for pride but for the purpose of teaching.

No man of God who is worth his salt will keep anyone whose heart is not connected to him.

No No No! It’s not worth it!!! Jesus didn’t force Himself on some of His disciples who left Him but stayed glued to those whose hearts were connected to Him – Jn.6:66-69.

Now, to the young minister, how do you know those to follow in ministry?

It’s a two-way answer. (1) Those who follow Christ – 1 Cor.11:1; those who are submitted to the Lordship of the Word and who are Christlike in behavior – Heb.13:7; those who hold Christian testimony and are submitted to the leadership of the Holy Spirit – Gal.1:6-10, 3:1-3, Acts 4:31-32, 1 Cor.2:4-5.

Having talked about the general yardstick and parameter, then number (2) Are those to whom the Spirit of God leads you; those with whom your heart is connected; and of course those whose words suit your spirit and shape your destiny.

The day Elijah threw the “mantle of invitation” at Elisha, Elisha’s heart got connected immediately – 1Kgs.19:19-21.

When some people left Jesus, and He asked the twelve apostles that would they also go?

Peter responded with these extremely instructive and illuminating words:

JOHN 6:68
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, TO WHOM SHALL WE GO? THOU HAST THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE.

The words of Christ struck a chord in their hearts; those words were not ordinary words to them – they were shaping their destiny, hence there was A HEART CONNECTION!

Timothy also had A HEART CONNECTION with his spiritual father, in the person of Paul, for the latter once said about Timothy:

PHILIPPIANS 2:19-20
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. note
FOR I HAVE NO MAN LIKE-MINDED, who will naturally care for your state.

It was about HEART CONNECTION and LIKE-MINDEDNESS!

Even in ministry friendship, HEART CONNECTION is key. David and Jonathan had a HEART CONNECTION that’s out of this world.

The Bible tells us that Jonathan loved him as his own soul and their souls were knit together.

1 SAMUEL 18:1,3
And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

Strong words here!!!

For the record, your “covenant friend” in ministry does not have to have the Word, flows, crowd, or other ministry paraphernalia AT THE SAME LEVEL AS YOU.

But HIS HEART MUST BE CONNECTED TO YOU. He should and must love you as his own soul.

When there’s a HEART CONNECTION, other things can be sorted out in terms of helping each other grow into the stature of the call.

By and large, whether you’re following a father or mentor or you’re getting blessed by a ministry, or it’s simply a case of ministry friendship, then HEART CONNECTION IS KEY!

Don’t act under pressure or duress. Don’t try to please anyone while you’re dying inside. Be real and follow the people that God has ordained for you unquestionably.

Then shall peace be extended to you like a river and you will fulfil destiny in a grand style.

May the Lord give us understanding!

Amen!!

I hope this made little sense Sirs and Mas?

Miracles Happen Everyday!!!

Shalom!!!

FeedingTheNations

BimboAnimashaunTeachingMinistriesBATEM

FeedingCentreChurch

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