SUPPORTING THE MINISTRY

I offer this Scripture from the Sacred Texts:

One thing to take notice in this passage. It was not only Moses, Aaron, Hur, or even Joshua doing all the work, there were many others of their community involved and accomplishing the task at hand. All who are joined in the Body of Christ are valid and important, from the Pastor, on down to the laymen doing the work of the Ministry or healing the wounded in those Spiritual battles.

When they had won this battle, Moses was instructed to write this victory down for future generations. The Lord is our Banner, Jehovah Nissi. It is a powerful statement. It is one of victory for the congregation. When the members of the Church lift the arms of their Pastor or Minister in support. Then the whole entire congregation wins. It becomes a testimony to the abilities of a Church that Prays together and stays together. It is a Standard of Love, kindness, justice, mercy, and being centered. Again a Standard is a banner, or flag that is waved high over the place of victory!

There are many Churches that adopt cult like demands, using this text in Hebrews to justify their supreme leadership over the Congregation of the Church. A true leader understands the danger of this and leads their Church in the Spirit of Love and compassionate understanding of the needs of the Congregation. Men and Women of God need to learn to be more forgiving of one another. We must demonstrate a benevolence to ourselves, and to others. To be very gentle within and toward all concerned.

I implore everyone in addition to praying for your Pastor or Minister, that all of us do our best to work out differences with other members of the Church. Don't hold onto bitter grudges or engage in gossip and triangulation efforts to manipulate the Church to become what one feels would make it a better place. That isn't the Church Member's job. The Church does not belong to any of us, nor does it belong to the Pastor or the Minister, it is God's House. Always keep that in mind so that we never lose sight of reverence for such a Holy place or an Anointed calling such as the Pastor or Minister.

It is always imperative that all involved do their best to work things out with one another. The Pastor is the Church’s leader. It is not their job to be the fixer. It is their job to help educate and provoke the Congregation to have a deeper relationship with God and with one another. To understand that each person can work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. In other words. to overcome their own fleshly problematic desires, and to obtain a mature level of Spirituality. Tamping down the desires of the Ego. To walk the walk. It is a deep message, one that is so incredibly simple. But a powerful tool for the righteous. Make the burdens on the Pastor or Minister far less, by focusing on finding solutions to problems as much as we can; on our own. If, however, individuals are not able to negotiate those waters and find their own answers, then of course seek the counsel of the Pastor or Minister. I never get involved with what I call Church Politics, The bickering and feuds among some within the Church. It is an energy that can drain individual levels of spirituality severely. Murmuring and Bickering within the Church Community, solves nothing. It only creates divisions and deep levels of separation from one another.

Another way to lift the arms of A Church Leader, is to give to the Church. Tithes and Offerings is a very important aspect of Ministry. If a person has the ability to give, then one should give. I leave this part up to the individual to discover the benefits of Tithing to a Church. In my opinion, Tithes should always be given to any institution that supplies individual spiritual needs through its teachings and Ministries. I encourage all to give a portion of one's time, talents, and treasure to the Spiritual Communities that serve them. I recommend reading the Book of Acts to further understand this concept.

When attending Church, be it in a physical place or a Virtual one, always prepare the heart before entering the sacred moment of the Service. This will allow for the Spiritual Leader to be able to teach better, providing both the recipient and the leadership much sustenance and nourishment. Always remember when doing church that personal desires for a specific thing in Worship, are not the desires of everyone present. A Pastor or Minister is looking at the big picture. Church isn't about what we as individuals want; it is about Service to God. The Pastor is always doing his or her best to bring balance for the good of the entire Congregation. Keep these pitfalls in check, learn to find a lesson in every direction the Minister is delivering; to all that are present.

Individuals can participate with the Church Leader too. How? By praying without ceasing for their leadership. Lifting up their arms every day in prayerful support. Always remember to respect the Spiritual Leader, don’t tell them what they should have, could have, would have done. Collaborate with the Ministry, rather than being divisive or adversarial. Encourage this Leader to take time off, as well as give the Leader time off. Restrain the self from contacting them on their days off. The Clergy needs rest too. Pray for their continued growth and knowledge. So that they in turn can share that wealth of wisdom with the Members of the Congregation. Always push the self to participate in Church functions, don't leave it up to others to do. It is my own personal experience that quite often, only around twenty percent of the Congregation volunteer for things that need to be done. Sadly, it is the same individuals who again and again are the ones volunteering, while eighty percent are doing very little to help the Church’s Ministry. That Twenty percent, often burns out and leaves the Church.

It is not up to the Pastor or Minister to enable Church growth. Quite often it is the members sitting in the pews, that stifle the Church’s growth. They like things to be done a specific way, and are resistant to change. This becomes stale worship over time, be open to new ideas that A Pastor, or Minister presents to the Congregation. If we all practice this, we may just find that it is quite enjoyable. In a Church I belong to, we used to use binders for the contemporary service, and hymnals for the more traditional Service. As technology became cheaper and more affordable, the Church became less resistant to change and installed two television screens on the backside of the pulpit for the words to the songs. Over time the Church learned that it was easier for them to worship using tv screens, because they no longer had their heads buried in books. What this did in turn, was allow the Church members to sing louder and more from their heart space. The newer technology also brought in new and younger members into the fold. That in itself lifted spirits and created a tremendous amount of energy during Worship Services on Sunday mornings. The result was a more balanced Congregation, with very few empty seats. Quite often during services that fall on Religious Holidays there is standing room only, because of the Church’s willingness to grow and provide a method that works for most concerned.

I invite those that hear my words; to be a Samekh for the Pastor or Minister, a sturdy support that does not cave in, a strong cornerstone that they can rely on. When I was the lead Audio Video Tech person for Unity of Madison Church, Reverend Judy said to me; "You are the glue that holds the services together, I know that I can always count on you to be there for me. I never have to second guess it." Be the glue that holds the church together, not the dissolving factor. Be that person that can always be relied upon by the Pastor or Minister. In addition to praying for them constantly, together we will have held the leadership's arms up so high. That no opposing force can defeat them, or the Church.

Finally Beloved: I love you, I bless you, I appreciate you, and I behold the Christ in you! Amen.