PASTORING AND TAKING THE SPIRITUAL OVERSIGHT 3

2 SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD WHICH IS AMONG YOU, SERVING AS OVERSEERS, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 AND WHEN THE CHIEF SHEPHERD APPEARS, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF GLORY THAT DOES NOT FADE AWAY."
1 Peter 5:2–4 (NKJV)

• Other things to note, which could be considered as your responsibilities.
I. You would need to raise the would-be leaders up before God in prayer, at your personal time of prayers.
II. You call them for counseling from time to time.
III. You would need to correct them; rebuke or reprove, when needed:
"HE WHO WITHHOLDS THE ROD [of discipline] HATES HIS SON, BUT HE WHO LOVES HIM DISCIPLINES AND TRAINS HIM DILIGENTLY AND APPROPRIATELY [with wisdom and love]" (Proverbs 13:24 Amps.)

• That said, there are some things which the Holy Spirit might ask you not to talk on or try to change. He may want to teach the emerging leader through the experience of life. He wanted him or her to learn that which you have seen in his or her life that is wrong, through practical knowledge—the experience of life (Judges 2:21-23).
• In such a person's case, you would need to allow God, through the Holy Spirit on the inside of him or her, to teach and correct whatever the defect or error you have seen in such a person's life—the would-be-leader.
• Do not take the place of the Holy Spirit in the life of the people you are raising, and at the same time, do not hesitate to correct whatever error or defect which you observed that needed to be corrected in their lives.
• Let them watch you how you do things, for them to learn from you.

• The exercise of feet washing was done by Jesus Christ Himself, He wanted to teach the disciples about serving others. AFTER the exercise, He told them the importance and the essence of what He did.
HE said they should go and do Likewise: 12 SO WHEN HE [Jesus] HAD WASHED THEIR FEET, TAKEN HIS GARMENTS, AND SAT DOWN AGAIN, HE SAID TO THEM, “DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE DONE TO YOU? 13 YOU CALL ME TEACHER AND LORD, AND YOU SAY WELL, FOR SO I AM. 14 IF I THEN, YOUR LORD AND TEACHER, HAVE WASHED YOUR FEET, YOU ALSO OUGHT TO WASH ONE ANOTHER'S FEET. 15 FOR I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE, THAT YOU SHOULD DO AS I HAVE DONE TO YOU" (John 13:12-15 NKJV).

• Do not hide whatever you know that could help them to grow and make them effective in their leadership assignment.
• Reveal the things which you know which could help them to grow, step by step.
• Do not overfeed them, that is, do not drive them so hard, let them learn systematically and progressively.
• And, do not expect too much from them. You would need to consider and be patient with those who might seem to be slow learners among them.

• Reaching out to others

• A minister, who pastors a church, should develop and has a way of reaching out to other people, apart from those who are already under his or her leadership.
• Your ministry should go beyond the four corners of your church building. In other words, you must endeavour to reach out to the unchurched, and those who might not be physically present in your church, but could be blessed through what you preach or teach in your base—your church.
• Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, you could be given a programme to conduct or hold that would attract both the members, those already under your leadership, and the nonmembers, the unchurched, and every potential person that could be blessed by your ministry.
• Break any denominational barrier, go beyond your church denomination, reach out to other people.
• Some of the people whom you might have the opportunity or privilege to minister to who could not have the opportunity or privilege of hearing what you are teaching or preaching, where they go to church. They may not be properly fed with the Word of God where they attend church meetings.
• Some might eventually be touched to become a member of your church, or might be stirred to be part of those who are supporting or financing your work.
• Do not be rigid about it, that you are strictly ministering to the people under your leadership alone, that is, your church members or the people in your denomination. The point is, you can be used to bless others apart from your regular church members.
  BUT strive and be concerned about the number of souls you are reaching out to, those you whom you bless and impact positively for God.
• Note: It is usually those who have definite encounter through your ministry, that is, your outreaches, that would later become your followers, or be a part of your vision, or announce your work—tell others about what you are doing, your ministry (Luke 8:1-3).
  THE woman of Samaria who was ministered to, by Jesus Christ at the well, ran to the city to tell others about Jesus Christ, His Ministry, and the people came en masse to listen to Him:
  28 THE WOMAN THEN LEFT HER WATERPOT, WENT HER WAY INTO THE CITY, AND SAID TO THE MEN, 29 “COME, SEE A MAN WHO TOLD ME ALL THINGS THAT I EVER DID. COULD THIS BE THE CHRIST?” 30 THEN THEY WENT OUT OF THE CITY AND CAME TO HIM" (John 4:28-30 NKJV).

39 AND MANY OF THE SAMARITANS OF THAT CITY BELIEVED IN HIM [Jesus] BECAUSE OF THE WORD OF THE WOMAN WHO TESTIFIED, “HE TOLD ME ALL THAT I EVER DID.”
40 SO WHEN THE SAMARITANS HAD COME TO HIM, THEY URGED HIM TO STAY WITH THEM; AND HE STAYED THERE TWO DAYS.
41 AND MANY MORE BELIEVED BECAUSE OF HIS [Jesus'] OWN WORD.
42 THEN THEY SAID TO THE WOMAN, “NOW WE BELIEVE, NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU SAID, FOR WE OURSELVES HAVE HEARD HIM AND WE KNOW THAT THIS IS INDEED THE CHRIST, THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.”
John 4:39-42 (NKJV)

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' mighty name.
  Peace!
  TO BE CONTINUED

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!