Salt Is The Original Seasoning

Snehrashmi, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

If salt is the original seasoning, why do so many ministers lack this special component? Instead, they boast of carnal seasoning to leverage themselves above others intensifying their already inflamed ego. For the past several years, I’ve been searching for a church home. As quickly as I thought I found one is as swiftly as I bowed out due to unwarranted disrespect. Disrespect, commonly, tagged as ‘church hurt.’ A pervasive and ubiquitous concept, it continues to raise its ugly head in contemporary churches. After forgiving those involved, I knew I had to move on. Yet, like a toxic dating relationship, I returned because of familiarity.

A few nights ago, I tuned-in to a powerful deliverance minister who understands the inner workings of the spirit realm. This practice had, recently, become my weekly pastime as I was excited to hear from God. Although, when tuning in this particular night, I was greeted with misplaced pride and arrogance. I found myself struggling to stay online. So, I made my outro. Following the series of pontifications, by said minister, I immediately began coining this blog to outline my grievances.

The problem I have with deliverance ministers who describe people yearning to become active in ministry leadership as not being seasoned, or those simply demanding respect for their past works in various industries as having “not done anything” (liturgically) is this:

How can we truly call someone unseasoned if we have not supplied them with a ministry/leadership opportunity to know their true capabilities?
If you are merely delivering folks, who possess money, based on a figure God has allegedly spoken to you, what about those who have nothing to give due to their present circumstances, such as witchcraft attacks?
Do we take into account that given the oppression people face, they have been delayed? Does this mean they shouldn’t pursue their gifting(s) even at a “late” stage?
Should men and women of God be competing against the other, or should they join forces to heal the sick through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ?
How does mocking others from the body of Christ build-up “the church?” God didn’t create ministers with multiple gifts and talents to put others down.
People are truly suffering, and instead of misdirecting the gifts and talents God has ordained upon us by charming the body of Christ with eloquence and scripture memorization, shouldn’t we be using those gifts, talents, scriptural knowledge to benefit others through actual deliverance?
If you are so seasoned, where is the salt God placed in you?

Unseasoned folks

How can we truly call someone unseasoned if we have not supplied them with a ministry/leadership opportunity to know their true capabilities?

How do we know what anyone has to offer, unless they’re given a chance? If people are coming from other churches, how DO we know what they can/can’t do? Are we basing our assumptions of others on snippets extracted from social media platforms? Or, have we sat down one-to-one with the person to review their experiences? Perhaps, their bout with delay has hindered them from elevation in things of the Spirit. That doesn’t mean they should be counted out, looked over, or be given menial tasks. Honestly, that hazing. Humiliation stems from the devil.

Similar to those young folks, or individuals exploring a career change, how does one gain experience without opportunities? Even those with tons of experience had to begin somewhere. It is not until that person receives a chance that we truly know what they’re capable of. Sure, mentoring may be necessary, but are we monetizing mentorship as well? Are we going to berate folks, because they don’t sing, preach, write, dance or paint like us? Are we too far removed to afford someone else space? Are we, then, perpetrators perpetuating a perpetual cycle? There’s simply too much bullying in “the church, ” today.

Progressive churches seem to desire the brihtly lit stages, the glimmering lights, and the fads filling other spaces. Is it wrong? Not necessarily, but our intentions, and character, shape the treatment of others. If potential parishioners don’t fit the mold-in-our-mind, or stand to garner new likes, shares, and/or followers, we can’t use them. Since when do we need to come to church pristine and perfect, already healed, and at our best? Giving God our best is one thing, being the best is completely another conversation. We make joyful noises, not on pitch notes. While they sound great, we may not start there… and some may never arrive. Do we gate them out of heaven?

A season of deliverance

If you are merely delivering folks, who possess money, based on a figure God has allegedly spoken to you, what about those who have nothing to give due to their present circumstances, such as witchcraft attacks?

While there were women who supplied Jesus with financial support according to the Word of God, these women gave following their healing. They also gave based on having wealth. Luke 8: 1-3 (KJV):

And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, ²And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, ³And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Not only did Christ afford recipients of healing the opportunity to return with a financial blessing, He healed lepers who may/may not have possessed wealth. He also instructed one leper specifically to give their offering to the church in which He had no affiliation. Not him or His disciples. He knew someone at some point would fill the void. While the reality, today, is some individuals will not return with a blessing, we are yet charged with freeing the tormented. Thankfully, everyone is not the same. God did/will provide. Matthew 8:1-4 (KJV):

When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. ²And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. ³And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. ⁴And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Are deliverance ministers to go poor? No, but the same faith required of those needing healing is required of those delivering. Additionally, someone had to heal the delivering agent at some point before they began the healing process for others. So, I ask, will we leave folks to fend for themselves, and pass them over, because they have no money? Are we to forsake them and discount them from becoming seasoned?

Seasonal Delay

Do we take into account that given the oppression people face, they have been delayed? Does this mean they shouldn’t pursue their gifting(s) even at a “late” stage?

If an individual is born with a wide skillset and discovers a jealous sibling along with other relatives employed dark arts to delay the individual’s progress, without their knowledge, should the delivering minister criticize the late discovery although they’ve received prophetic revelation of the individual’s promising future? Is criticism used as a ploy for the persecuted to sign-up for paid counseling sessions? Or, is it done to keep that person in bondage as if it’s too late to prosper in the things of God?

What happened to not forsaking the small beginnings?

While pastors complain of small congregations, and their desire to grow, the problem becomes them wanting ready-made congregants that have-it-all-together: financially fit, housed, healthy, and spiritually inclined. The church was built on the premise that the sick are to come and be healed. It is a place for sinners to get right at any stage of life. It should not be expected they arrived fixed.

Churchy Competitions

Should men and women of God be competing against the other, or joining forces to heal the sick through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God said, “I know the plans I have for YOU…” We serve a God who is divinely organized and knows the end from the beginning for each person on Earth. He has bestowed every one of us with specific skillsets/giftings. If we evaluate our divine callings, we’d be reluctant in treading other destinies. This word is for the saved, not the unbeliever. As believers, we know we are here purposefully. As God begins to reveal our purpose, even in small increments, we must develop our gifts and seek guidance. Now, in some cases, people are blocked from further development given dark interference, such as a destiny helper being scared away, envy, or a secret competitor.

In the case of a competitor, there are those leaders refusing to mentor fearing the usurping of their position. Many concern themselves with proteges leaving the flock to spread their wings. While some simply panic at being outshined. It’s a touchy topic of discussion. Yet, isn’t mentoring, parenting, and/or teaching meant to make folks greater than us? We fulfill purpose by helping others become great. It’s when we’ve yet become God’s total creation that we struggle with others’ successes. This of course enthralls the Enemy as God’s kingdom lacks in the completion of assignments.

Putting others down to feel superior

How does mocking others from the body of Christ build-up “the church?” God didn’t create ministers with multiple gifts/talents to put others down.

Similar to the pointed finger raised to excuse oneself during church service, other American Slavery behaviors pervade today’s “Black church.” One example is the sense of ascendency similar to the house negro and the field negro. (Actually, spending more time in the sun may have actually made the field workers smarter and physically superior, but I digress… and, sadly, have fallen into the trap myself.) Soprano versus alto. Vocalist versus an untrained singer. Title wars: I’m a pastor, so I can’t call you Dr. unless it’s in divinity (because the pastor does not possess a doctorate as of yet or at all). Experience: I have 30 years of ministerial experience versus God’s favor on street minister of 6 months opening his own church.

God didn’t create divides in the church. We as the church allowed pride to flower all while forsaking the call. Hence, our present state. We must place superiority complexes to the side and do what it is we were called to do: free others! A compulsory revival of the mind, heart, and spirit is essential.

The goal…

Instead of misdirecting the gifts and talents God has ordained upon us by charming the body of Christ with eloquence and scripture memorization, shouldn’t one be using those gifts, talents, scriptural knowledge to benefit others through actual deliverance.

I must say, the minister I patronize delivers tons of people weekly by revelation of the Holy Spirit. This is the reason I began watching. I also recognize the depth and width of their calling. However, I don’t agree with denigrating others for self-elevation. The challenges of baring loads to bare fruit is arduous enough without being taunted about spiritual shortcomings. While a specific person, or small group of individuals, may have been the focus of said commentary, the delivery sparked an unction from God’s Spirit. Those off-putting sentiments can cause a falling away from the faith.

Was that the goal?

Season of suffering

People are truly suffering, and instead of misdirecting the gifts and talents God has ordained upon us by charming the body of Christ with eloquence and scripture memorization, shouldn’t we be using those gifts, talents, scriptural knowledge to benefit others through actual deliverance?

God’s people are suffering globally. Do you know how many churches I’ve attended and seen the souls of senior citizens still waiting on God to reveal His promises through physical and financial healing? The devil has the church in a chokehold while many of those who are called to be vessels of healing are too busy seeking clout and worldly glory. God is counting on deliverance ministers to deliver His people. He didn’t have you endure severe storms to pick and choose who you deliver or to sound off as a tinkling cymbal. Victims are giving into their own crisis, because they can’t locate spiritual aid. The same way parishioners are required to have faith when leaving a sacrificial offering, and/or giving their last, they are banking on ministers to give their last to be delivered.

Yes. Ministry is taxing… especially deliverance. It can be quite depleting. Yes. You, and your family, must eat. But, not everyone has money to give. At least, not yet. Why? They are experiencing poverty attacks. Some have given their last and unless they are delivered they will be trapped in an impoverished cycle. Others are living small precarious lives, because no one will help them, since they can’t help the church financially or in general. Men and women of God, don’t forget where God has brought you from.

As in the Bible, not all modern-day deliverees disappear without returning to bless-the-church. Some even join the fold. However, it’s the church’s responsibility to retain said membership.