Can you hear the silent cries of the people crying out for pastors and leaders who are after God’s heart? (Jeremiah 3:15) We need strong men and women who not only lead in knowledge and understanding but possess the strength of humility. We need ministers and leaders who will not succumb to the lust, greed, and wickedness of our time but know how to possess their vessels with honor and integrity. We need pastors that will mount pulpits with the truth of God and by the standards of the Word of God. People are looking for leadership who knows how to preserve the standard of holiness in their own lives and in the people they lead. God is searching for pastors who know how to keep His flock from being scattered.

Speaking the Truth No Matter the Consequences

God told a backslidden nation that He wants them back, but they must be willing to acknowledge their iniquity. (Jeremiah 3:13) What He spoke back then, he still requires of us now. We must confess our sins. Do not try to justify it. (vs. 3:11) Sin in anyone’s life is a stench in the nostrils of God. We cannot camouflage it. He sees everything. We cannot hide from His eyes. God told the backslidden nation that He would provide them pastors to feed them with knowledge and understanding. He wants leaders that will not glorify sin, but rather will keep immorality out of the pulpits. God is looking for pastors to help backslidden people get back on their feet and live a life of power in the Spirit of God. God is not looking for the coward that fears what others may say. He is looking for strong men and women that know how to speak the truth no matter what the consequences. Where are these men and women?

Back to a Standard of Holiness

God is seeking pastors that can righteously shepherd His flock. The world is desperately wicked and full of evil. This world wants to corrupt our children and take away our rights. We do not need a message that tickles the ear in order to pacify the flock and to fit into the latest worldly trends. We need pastors that teach and instruct their people how to live in this wicked world and still stand for righteousness. We need a message that encourages truth and does not promote lies. God is calling for pastors that have the people at heart without ulterior motives and prideful gain. God is calling the church back to prayer and fasting. He is calling the church back to a standard of holiness and He needs leaders to bring the people back to Him.

Real Hope and Faith

The world wants something real. In these current times when there is so much tragedy and uncertainty, people are looking for something they can hold onto. They want real hope and solid faith. The church, which is the body of Christ and not an organization, must be the demonstration of who God is. This is achieved by those that stay in the presence of God and live in the will of God. The leaders of the church who fail to maintain their relationship with God are leading by their flesh and opening up doors for the enemy to operate.

Do Not Give In!

All of us will be tempted to compromise and be comfortable with sin. This temptation pushes leaders to succumb to the antics of this world and water down the life-changing Gospel message. Do not do it! Do not give in just because someone else may be doing it. Do not let sin be acceptable in your congregation. If it is wrong, speak up and cry out! Show the people their transgression. Just because the world is doing it does not mean God accepts it.

You are called to lead God’s way no matter what is going on around you. You are called to lead by example. Give God what He wants and do not worry about those you do not please. Your power to succeed in ministry comes from your obedience to the will of God. The anointing from God destroys the bondage of sin, but it takes our dedication and submission to God alone. Stand firm and be the pastor whom God has promised to the people. Stand up and lead your people in righteousness. Feed the people with God’s truth and knowledge and you will build a generation that can stand against the world’s influence. Pastors, heed the call of God and see the need. The work is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Let us labor together and lead the people into victory.

“Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” (Joshua 1:6)

Janet Boynes founded Janet Boynes Ministries in Maple Grove, MN in 2006. She authored the books: Called Out: A Former Lesbian’s Discovery of Freedom, God & Sexuality and her latest book God & The LGBT Community. She challenges individuals and the church to reach out with a message of hope and restoration to those who struggle with identity issues. Her life is proof that the love of God has the power to heal and restore the brokenness in our lives. It’s been over twenty years since she was called out of the lesbian lifestyle. Janet is an ordained minister under the Assemblies of God and travels the U.S. and overseas sharing a message of redemption. Her desire is to bring hope through the power of Jesus Christ.