1ST SEMESTER EXAM BPT 104

PASTORAL MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP (BTP104)

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

ANSWER ALL

FAMILY ISSUE

Question One

Pastor Emmanuel has been pastoring a growing church for eight years. His wife, Sister Grace, has always supported him faithfully. But lately, she has started complaining that he is never home. He leaves for prayer meetings at 5am, returns for afternoon counselling, and is out again for evening services. His children call him “the pastor” instead of “daddy.” Last week, his wife told him she feels like a single mother. Pastor Emmanuel is confused because he thought he was serving God. He quotes Matthew 10:37 about loving God more than family.

Using Module 3 (Protecting Your INNER FIRE) and Module 10 (The WALLS of YOUR LIFE), what advice would you give Pastor Emmanuel? How does a pastor balance the demands of ministry with the responsibility to his own family? What specific boundaries should he put in place before his marriage breaks down? And what does it truly mean to love God more than family according to the whole counsel of Scripture?


CHURCH ISSUE

Question Two

A wealthy businessman has joined your church. Within three months, he has paid for a new church bus, bought the pastor a car, and promised to build a new auditorium. But he has also started calling the pastor late at night with “suggestions” about who should be removed from church leadership. He has asked to see the church account records. He tells other members that “God has made me a father to this church.” Some members are grateful for his generosity. Others are afraid that he is taking over. The pastor is grateful for the help but feels uncomfortable.

Using Module 2 (Who is a PASTOR? Identity) and Module 8 (Managing the HOUSE) and Module 9 (Building a TEAM), how should this pastor handle this situation without offending the giver but also without losing the church to one person’s control? What does it mean to be a steward in this situation? What boundaries should the pastor establish with wealthy members? And what should the church leadership structure be doing that is not happening now?



COMMUNITY ISSUE

Question Three

Your church is located in a community where many families are involved in illegal mining. They are destroying farmlands and polluting the river. But these families also fill your church every Sunday. They give generously. They serve as ushers and choir members. Some of your church leaders say “we are not the police, our job is to save souls, not judge how people make money.” Others say the church must speak against what is destroying the community and killing children through waterborne diseases. The tension is growing, and some members have stopped attending because they say the church is “political.”

Using Module 6 (The Ministry of TEARS and PRESENCE) and Module 7 (Leading PEOPLE, Not Just Programs) and Module 11 (Facing the STORM), how would you counsel this pastor to respond? What is the difference between being political and being prophetic? How does the pastor shepherd both the sinners and the victims who are in the same congregation? And what practical steps can the church take that show love for both the miners and the community being destroyed?