"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" - I Peter 5:8 (NIV). 

There is a saying "one black sheep spoils the whole flock"! Of course sheep are normally light; a darker one will upset the whole formation. This saying cannot apply anywhere so true than when one considers how many tend to view Pastors these days. There are undoubtedly rogue Pastors- just as Judas a long time ago penetrated Jesus's inner circle, only to betray him (Luke 22). So, it remains the same today.

However, quite troubling, once these days a Pastor is found to have fallen short of his calling, then a paint brush is used to wipe away the entire vocation. "Look at them all thieves!" The cynics shriek and wave all Pastors away.

Of course we cannot minimise the absurd abuse of the Gospel by those rogue characters who manipulate scriptures for personal gain. Jesus warned his disciples that, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves" (Mathew 7:15). And who has not seen their antics lately, which seem to have no limit.

Yet, while these impostors are there and an ever present danger, we shouldn't ignore the fact that where there is one bad apple there are thousands other good ones. For every rogue Pastor a million more are serving the Lord faithfully and without blemish.

There are countless Pastors out there on the frontline pastoring churches on pitful allowance. Others more are persecuted into hiding especially in those nations where it is a taboo to share the Gospel. Much as those hit characters should not be ignored and indeed shamed, still we cannot afford to imagine that they speak for and represent all!

Another thing also. Because those in the Pastoral ministry are at the center of war against the enemy, Satan, there are not immune to spiritual attacks. Rather, for that very reason, there are constantly under attack from the evil one. Pastors are not made out of iron but flesh just as any of us. They too can fall. Knowing this if we could all purpose to do one thing: how about regularly upholding our Pastors in prayer than joining the bandwagon of finger pointing. Wouldn't we have done well?

Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I bring to you all Pastors out there faithfully serving you that you protect them from the enemy and give them strength of spirit and the necessary resources they need to carry on the mission you have called them to, this I pray in Jesus's name.