Gospel musician and founder of the Worship House, Wilson Bugembe has urged young Pastors not to think their ministry is less significant, noting that some have taken their eyes off Jesus, and resorted to competition with one another.
Speaking during the annual Young Pastors Fellowship on Friday in Nansana, Bugembe encouraged church leaders saying, ‘God has uniquely gifted you for where you are for a reason.’
He urged the preachers to be happy for how others are succeeding and thank God for the ministry He has given them.
Competitiveness in ministry, Bugembe explained, assumes that one is providing the growth instead of God.
“Don’t run into competition, it is going to destroy you,” he said. ” Today we had several speakers, but I learnt something different from them all. In church, run your race, if you run into competition, you will crush soon, as others continue with their ministry.”
“Whether you pastor 5 or 500 people, that is your portion, run your own race. God will prosper you in due season. The day you stop competing is the day you will grow,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Pastors from different parts of the country. Speakers included Pastor Ronald Mubiru, Pastor Charles Kasibante, Pastor Alex Mutagubya of The City Church and Pastor Rodgers Kayongo from Back to truth Church, among others.
Pastor Bugembe went on and said every young pastor should do himself a favor, and never apologize for the things God has sent him out to do.
“If He says go to a given place, go, no matter how much opposition you face. That which comes from the throne room of God is undebatable,” he said.
Bugembe urged Pastors to mind their security.
“Why do pastors need security, and yet they say they have God? That is a question one Journalist asked me recently. It challenged me, but the Holy Spirit guided me on how to respond. You need to understand that not all people fear God. These however, fear and respect the police. Mind where you stay, and who you associate with. You are precious, you have to take care of your life. Wheresoever you minister at, the devil’s wish is for a shrine to be established there. No matter how small your church is, the devil wants it pulled down for a bar to be elevated,” he noted, referring to Luke 23:39-40.
“Make sure someone watches over you. Of-course God is, ‘for Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.’ The bible does not say lay them off, it acknowledges them too,” he said.
He warned Pastors that leave Churches late in the night after leading over night services, without any security precautions.
“Study your area code. For example, do you know that the population in Kawempe is predominantly Muslim. If God calls you to start a church in an area with many Muslims, you don’t have to begin slaughtering pigs at the Church. If you go to a place with so many staunch Catholics, be wise in how you present the gospel to them without conflict. People should not see you as an enemy. Engage and make friends in the community. By the time you speak to them about Jesus, they will be open to you,” he said.
Bugembe told Pastors not to preach what they don’t understand, and observed that not every offer that comes their way is worth accepting, “you might take ‘King Herold’s’ gifts,” he said.
“Every young Pastor should take time to take care of his body,” he said.
“A young pastor should make sure that his outside appearance is appealing. Do you know that every career has got a dress code? Samuel, the prophet, almost anointed the wrong King for looking good. In-order to find your appropriate dress code, study your audience and target group. I dress the way I do, because I am targeting the unchurched,” he said.
