Don't Give Up!

What a vast array of amazing preachers we have all around the world. Preachers of all flavors and tendencies, with a variety of gifts and messages. I feel blessed to have an abundance of deep and intentional content on hand leading me closer to the Lord and helping me understand my need for wisdom, guidance, and external counsel.

    Photo by Hannah Wei on Unsplash

We are immersed in a busy life with a desire to make our time and lives worthwhile. We pursue to be assertive in diligently fulfilling our callings and reaching the goals God has put on our hearts.  Apart from friendship, prayers, and the word of God, instead of relationships with church leaders or pastors, YouTube has become one of the main sources in finding encouragement, exhortation, counsel, and even prophetic words. The Holy Spirit uses preachers and media to speak to us in whatever situation we are or areas that we need.




Although YouTube is useful in many ways, this new kind of "self-pastoring" or better described as "virtual discipleship" is becoming more and more common in the body of Christ. "Self-pastoring" is not the model of biblical discipleship God intended for us to have. This new lifestyle will never replace a personal relationship. If you could choose, wouldn't you rather walk alongside a leader with a pastoral heart, or you prefer to watch a YouTube video because it helps you avoid vulnerability or having to beg for pastoring? I know how you feel, but this 2nd choice is very tricky. You will step into spiritual isolation leaving you empty and longing for something greater. I'm not talking about your one and one with the Lord, exclusively referring to the kind of discipleship that Jesus had with his 12, or Paul with Timothy that is a great example. 




Many Christians, have rebelled against their local churches because they did not feel pastored or cared for. When this happens, the church becomes a hostile place. Disconnection from pastoral discipleship brings rebellion. This is an issue God emphasized to me. As Christians, when we disconnect from our spiritual leadership, we also begin to disconnect from the unity of the church. Today there is so much hunger for God and a real need for true relationships and a loving church family. However, when we fail to pursue these relationships, many end up losing hope and giving up.




For those who have been struggling.  Avoid conforming to self-pastoring. Instead of turning your attention to YouTube, pray for Spiritual Fathers that can pastor your life and don't give up. Pray for those leaders with pastoral hearts that will be walking alongside with you during the next season. And prepare yourself to walk alongside those that God will entrust you to take care and pastor for the rest of your life.




I pray that God equips our Pastors with a greater team, so they can continue preaching the word of God and feeding the sheep. That the Holy Spirit reveals them that lack of relationship causes disconnection, and disconnection brings rebellion. In some cases, they will notice it, but in the majority, they won't. It is also important to clarify that connection does not mean ministry life or activity, but a connection from heart to heart.