The phrase “my people perish for lack of knowledge” is a biblical verse from Hosea 4:6, which means that destruction comes from a lack of knowledge, particularly divine prophecy, principles and processes, and counsel. Lack of knowledge leads to poor decisions, spiritual decline, and negative consequences for God’s people.

It must be recognised that it was the priests and pastors of the Jews who led their followers into destructive ignorance. This misguided approach to pastoring is alarmingly common in today’s churches, commonly referred to as “pastoring to oneself.”

Take, for example, a shepherd who is meant to lead people to God, positions himself as god before the people. Consequently, the people are deprived of the knowledge and spiritual experience that comes from a true relationship with God; they become overly reliant on their pastors.

These pastors build their own disciples instead of disciples of Christ. Members who know their pastors, love them, feed them, give unto them, but they do not know God, neither do they give Him His due honour and fear. This is why believers of today can fight and do all kinds of things to defend their pastors, without considering the mind and judgments of God. For they were not engineered to love and have God at heart before any other man. This practice is nothing short of evil.

Some pastors recklessly and audaciously state, “I am the God they see.” This kind of statement must be well rejected. I believe and preach that every member of the Christian church should personally encounter and know God. All, if possible, should see and hear from Him. All believers must establish a connection with Him and develop their own gifts and covenants with Him. However, these experiences can only be fostered when pastors are genuinely committed to nurturing a congregation that truly knows their God.

I had a colleague—a pastor—who once shared a deeply troubling story with us about a tragic loss. A man faced a spiritual attack the night after his return from his village. As he was dying, his wife tried to contact their church pastor to no avail. She also tried to reach her pastor’s wife on the phone, but she never answered, leaving her without help. Desperate, she called my pastor colleague, but his phone was off. And by morning, the man who was struck died.

The grieving wife confronted this colleague of mine, saying, “If you had just answered your phone, my husband would still be alive.” On hearing this, I was offended, realising that misguided pastoral leadership had contributed to this man’s untimely death. Let’s be clear: God cannot take responsibility for this tragic outcome. Those who pastor this woman and her husband will take the first blame for not discipling members who know their God and can wield his power against evil.

At first, God was small in the life of this man and his wife; that is why adversity prevailed. For those who are far from God will perish- (Psalm 73:27). That this woman was looking for help from her pastor and pastor friend is a pastoral failure. Furthermore, her lack of knowledge of the Word of God reflects poor discipleship. Her inability to access the power of God shows shortcomings in both pastoring and church membership. Ultimately, God will not bear the blame for these failures.

Meanwhile, the demised man lived a few hours after being struck, meaning he did not know what to do to turn back the hand of the adversary. This family was clearly ignorant and bereft of the things that could have saved this man’s life.

It is the pastors and priests of God’s people whom God has appointed to develop God’s people in the knowledge of God, on the word of God, on the power of God, on the things that will work for their deliverance on the day of adversity. It has been given to ministers of the gospel to warn, rebuke and correct members who err in their nonchalant attitude towards their relationship to God. When the People do not know all these things, they will be vulnerable and will soon become prey for their enemies.

When I voiced my perspective and frustration, my colleague attempted to stress the importance of ministers in the lives of their congregants. However, I firmly refused to be swayed. Yes, ministers are huge in God’s plans for his church, but this over-reliance and dependence on the prayers and proclamations of their pastors is a serious error. And yes, many pastors enjoy the attention. They believe that the dependence of God’s people on them makes them relevant. What they are truly after is love and goodwill gestures.

He must increase, but I must decrease

John the Baptist in John 3:30 was met by his disciples, who had also told him that many in Israel are now going to Jesus for baptism: the attention has shifted from him. Yeah, many, and even some of his followers now follow and listen to Jesus. John reminded them that he was sent to fame Christ. He is not the Lord, and the people must know and follow their Lord. He said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This is expressed as pastoring men towards their God.

Failed membership

Failed membership occurs when a pastor diligently plays his role, but the members are determined to go their own way. Members who do not prioritise attending Bible study, prayer meetings, and church service. Therefore, God’s true pastors should never stop warning the people about the consequences of being a church member without a willingness to grow in their walk with God and in the knowledge of the Lord. We cannot stop telling them that many dangers await those who are not serious about kingdom discipleship and recalibration. And more than anything, pastors must pastor God’s sheep unto their God.