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REFLECTION

Servants of Christ is the theme for our reflection. A servant is a person who performs duties for others, especially a person employed in a house on domestic duties or as a personal attendant. Paul continues to admonish the Church of Corinth not to be divided by following either him or Apollo because they are both servants of Christ or servants of the same master. Again, they are to be regarded as servants because they play the role of stewards. A Steward is a servant who must faithfully manage the affairs or properties of their Master. Stewards are also trustworthy servants. “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful…I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favour of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 6-7)

Dear friend, those called to preach and teach the Gospel are called Reverend Ministers in most churches. It is the primary title for anyone ordained to be a pastor or a priest. Reverend comes from the word “reverence” which means having deep respect and honour for someone. The title “Reverend” means a person worthy of respect or honour. On the other hand, the designation Minister means servant whether in the political or religious sphere. A Reverend Minister means a servant of Christ who is worthy of honour or respect. People who are called ministers or servants of Christ play the fundamental role of living by the perfect example of Christ and shepherding the people of God to imitate Christ. For this reason, Paul reminded the Corinthians, “For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, to be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:15-17) The sheep or the people of God do not belong to the servant or minister, he or she is only a caretaker or a steward who must faithfully discharge his or her duty or calling, for a time will come when the Master will require of him or her to account. It is interesting to note in the twenty-first century how some people desire to become servants of God because of mere popularity and acquisition of ecclesiastical titles. In many instances, servanthood has been reduced to competition for ecclesiastical titles in the twenty-first century. Some servants or ministers are particularly interested in positions, titles and accolades. They will go to any length to have them even if it means engaging in church politics and sowing the seeds of discord or division among church members. Dear friend, whether or not one’s title or position in the church is Reverend, Pastor, District Pastor, Most Reverend, Very Reverend, Moderator, Bishop, Archbishop, Primate and what have you, the most important and basic duty for which we have been called is to become servants of Christ and stewards of the Gospel. It is, for this reason, Paul made it unequivocally clear to the Corinthian Christians and also to avoid any further division and allegiance to personalities that “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (1 Corinthians 4:1). Titles merely bestow honour, reverence and duties but are irrelevant to the quality of service required from us as servants and stewards of the Lord. No matter where a pastor, evangelist or teacher of the Gospel finds him or herself in the vineyard of the Lord, he or she is called to serve, serve and serve. Jesus has taught us to serve in humility and to always say “‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:10). Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord thank you for calling us and giving us the privilege to serve. May the Holy Spirit guide us so that we may not be carried away by our obsession with ecclesiastical titles, offices and popularity. May we not become the source of division in Your church but serve You diligently to maintain the unity of the body and fellowship. Amen.