Biblical Loyalty: Part 5 – Church Governance – ‘If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister’

1 Timothy 4:1-6 says, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”

1 Timothy 4:1-6

According to the above scripture, if a Church leader can be able to “put the brethren in remembrance of these things” (in the above scripture), then the leader qualifies to be called “a good minister of Jesus Christ”.

This simply means that, the Church leaders have a lot of work to do especially in this current time we find ourselves, when the things in the above scripture are already manifesting.

Discipline is taking all the time needed to develop a good character. One of the characteristics of Church Governance is Discipline, which is constantly doing the things you should rightly do.

If spiritual leaders continue to misbehave like “my people” as in the book of Hosea, the Lord will punish both of them for their evil ways.

Hosea 4:6-9 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.”

Characteristics of Loyalty in a Church:

1. Keeping Personal Loyalty: To be an excellent leader, one must maintain personal loyalty.
2. Fulfilling Promises: Promises made must be kept or fulfilled. Whenever a promise is broken, people lose loyalty in you.
3. Spreading The Word: The Word of God gives hope.
4. Showing Positive Examples: You inspire people with good/positive behaviours. Through your positive words and actions, you motivate people.