How much spiritual and emotional damage can be done
by those who do not have pastoral hearts, whether ministers or not! When
believers are undergoing the afflictions of this life, they need great
tenderness from God’s professing people. Pious platitudes are worse than
useless, even though they are true. Inexperience in pastoral matters can do
great damage to souls. I am reminded of what Jesus said of Himself quoting
Isa.42 that “a
bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench” (Mt.12:20). Gentleness is needed when dealing with
broken people.
Not all those who are called “pastor” are pastors
at heart. They seem, rather, to use the pastoral office for self-promotion and
self-gratification. Such ‘pastors’ become aloof from their people and when called
in for help, are way out of their depth when it comes to providing it. Their
approach is to squeeze this disruptive pastoral visit in as well as possible to
fit their busy schedule because they have far more important matters to see to
than caring for members who are in spiritual difficulties.
Sadly, the ministerial office is ready made for
self-gratification, etc.
But there are genuine pastors in churches and there
are Christians who have a genuine pastoral heart, and they are gems. Thank God
for them all, and pray for them.
But in the cancer scenario, ministers must exercise
great care when it comes to implementing the American idea of testimony-giving
in church services. This can also demonstrate the insensitivity of ministers in
their zeal to promote the Gospel. These men seems to have a panel of
testimony-givers they can call upon to tell their stories, and often no thought
is given to those sitting in the congregation who are being torn to bits
because of what they are going through in their own families. This is reckless,
and ought not to be practiced Christians feel the need to get up and leave
such services, and others made a conscious decision to turn off when such
people were speaking.
All the end of the day, in cancer cases, and in
testimonies, no two cases are exactly the same. Just because one Christian has
experienced certain situations does not mean in the least that you will find
the same. Testimonies are highly individual and subjective things, and as such
can do extreme damage to tender hearts that might be present and listening.
Also, many testimonies are more like life-stories rather than up-to-date
witness statements about what the Lord has done and is doing in a person’s
life.
Great care must be taken in church situations when
dealing with broken hearts, and everything must be avoided that will further
traumatise those who are seeking spiritual help.
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