PASTORS ARE HUNGRY
Congregations should feed us - Rev. Thuso Tiego
► ‘I quit’ was the theme of my Sunday teaching
► I spoke on behalf of all struggling pastors
► But yes, I am hungry, pastors are hungry
Reverend Thuso Tiego is not about to quit the path God has chosen for him, as many wrongly assume.
Tiego shared a live broadcast sermon on ‘I quit’ a week ago, which left many thinking that the man of God was relinquishing his role as pastor.
Little did they know that despite going to bed hungry the man is so much rooted in his faith.
Tiego admits that he and other pastors struggle financially to the extent that others are even contemplating throwing in the towel.
That is what inspired his sermon on quitting.
“I am shocked that nobody ever questioned my other Sunday sermons such as “O
tla mpha eng,” but were quick to conclude that I am quitting from something. That was simply a theme like any other for that week’s sermon,” Tiego told The Midweek Sun.
The teaching was inspired by the fact that during this period of containing Covid-19 pandemic, churches have been ordered to reduce numbers.
As a result masses no longer physically attend church services. According to pastor Tiego, reduced numbers resulted in pastors being neglected as non church attendance means that tithes are not offered.
“It is the responsibility of a pastor to preach to his people and it remains the responsibility of the congregation to take care of their pastor,” he said.
He understands that some people are not comfortable about giving out their hard earned money but the truth is that every pastor needs food to continue ministering.
Many people hold different views about pastors as some have proven to be fake or scammers. Tiego admits this has tainted their reputation.
He said this is one of the many reasons people lose trust in pastors and become oblivious to the fact that they need money to survive.
But even then, the same congregation expects Pastors to minister to their spiritual needs throughout the week.
Some say pastors should go out and find jobs or even start small businesses instead of hoping that church money will take care of their personal expenses.
Tiego is a full time pastor. He used to be a teacher but decided to quit after finding the path that God had chosen for him.
“I do not care about fancy cars, I came here not looking for money but all I am saying is that let there be food on the table,” he said.
Reverend Tiego explained that the live broadcast was a wake-up call for Christians.
“As they continue staying at home protecting themselves from Covid -19, they should equally worry about their pastors,’’ Tiego said.
Moreover, he said they should understand that even though the video broadcast was about quitting, the good message that was seemingly overlooked is that God showed up at the end and said “I will never forsake my own.”
“If the message was intended to be about quitting in totality, people would have seen me cut the white collar I was holding, but I did not,” he said.