Having A Faithful And Fruitful Anglican Ministry Under God ( 3)

The Things A Faithful Minister Must Avoid

• An Anglican clergy must shun a sense of entitlement: A sense of entitlement is the bane of many in the ministry. There are those who think that by their level of service, education or intelligence, they deserve to be rewarded in a particular manner.

• An Anglican clergy man must avoid pride: Sometimes, it is pride that makes us think we are entitled to this or that. Pride is an exaltation of oneself above measure and it comes from a thinking that one is better than others.

• An Anglican clergy man must avoid rebellion: The Spirit of rebellion pervades in all spheres of human life. This is how rebellion works. Some people are against the authority not for any noticeable offence committed by them but because they are not the ones there. But they would look for reasons that would be appealing to others to either support them, join them, sympathise with them or at least rationalise their rebellious act. But rebellion is rebellion and it is dangerous. Rebellion easily gathers support. But it does not last. The rebel may have all the material resources and administrative machinery but because his cause is not of God, it would fail. Do not be taken in a rebellion. Korah, Dotham and Abiram took men. Don’t be taken.

• The Anglican clergy man must avoid craze for power and position: There are clergy men who are driven by the craze for the carnal glory and glamour of positions. The craze for power seems to be the underlying factor behind all other ills in ministry. But a faithful minister of God knows that power comes from God; for Romans tells us that there is no power but of God ( Rom. 13: 1). We pastors preach this regularly but unfortunately, we do not believe it and so do not practice it. We think that we can manipulate our way to the top.

Conclusion

There is a great mistake that many clergy men make. That is, to consent and assent to a doctrine they do not believe. Some do it because they seek ordination. Immediately after ordination, they begin to practice entirely different things from the oaths they had taken. This is infamous and sacrilegious. God searches the heart. If you know that you would not operate the rules of the church, the traditions of our church fathers and the liturgical tradition, there is no reason swearing to such oaths. This is dangerous. As an Anglican clerg y, y ou must accept the liturgy of the church, the prayer book and many other doctrinal peculiarities of the church wholeheartedly. The priest must also show himself as a workman who correctly handles the word of truth so that he can defend the truth of the gospel. The truth is, “If you labour in love and in truth, God would surely reward you.” His reward would come to you in His own ways, not in your own terms. He knows what is best for you. He is not unrighteous to forget your labour of love ( Heb. 6: 12). And the most important thing is that you would have a place in His kingdom when y our charge here is over.

• Most Rev. ( Dr.) Blessing C. Enyindah is the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of Niger Delta and Bishop of Ikwerre Diocese, Church of Nigeria ( Anglican Commu

nion)