The greatest challenge in ministry in the earthly realm, is when another leader loses the ability to be able to discern in the Spirit the heart and mind of another leader, and fights that leader, because of rumors, the past of the leader, or insecurities and jealousy within themselves.

Because of their position as a leader, they can greatly influence other leaders, or a congregation, to reject someone in leadership.

Too often, I have seen leaders refuse the ministry of someone because of something that was said, or rumors that were heard, about that person. No amount of petty gossip should cause anyone in leadership to turn against someone else.

While sometimes the rumors may be true concerning the person, often times, the things stated come from those who have hidden agendas concerning the individual! I have seen those in ministry struggle to go forth because someone had issues with them.

Being in ministry myself and because of the words God puts in my mouth, I myself have had to deal with a leadership that has came against me, because I won’t compromise or back down my stand on holiness and righteousness.

Because I work in deliverance and casting out devils and destroying the works of darkness, often times leaders will reject me because they don’t want that dimension of ministry in their congregation. Especially, because I won’t run money games or play with prophecy to scheme the people.

Up and coming ministers don’t have many true examples of old time leadership where they were led totally, by the Spirit of God, and God would speak to them in prayer, concerning preachers.

When I have revivals and conferences or services, my speakers are always given to me by the Spirit of The Lord, because I spend time in prayer and fasting. I don’t bring people in because they are my friends or I fellowship with them, but because God has spoken and told me this is the person whom He has chosen to release a word to the people.

As leaders, we should understand that God is in full control of everything we do and that we shouldn’t do anything because of the word of somebody else, but only because God said it.

I have lost friends because I didn’t allow them to turn me against someone whom they had issues with. Nobody tells me who to associate with, or who to not associate with, but The Lord!

I don’t allow anyone to turn me against anyone, and I don’t judge people because of what someone says, but I have learned to govern everyone by the Spirit, and know nobody, after the flesh.

Too many in ministry discernment are operating off of rumors and gossip, instead of seeking God for themselves. We have missed many moves of God because of allowing others to tear someone down for us and rejecting them, because we don’t want to lose our friends.

When we as leaders can stop competing being jealousy and learn how to work together and build each other up, then we will see the mighty moves of God that we been waiting on to happen!

~ Apostle Barbara R. Thomas

Apostle Barbara R. Thomas is founder of I Come to Heal Ministries, A Woman’s touch Ministry, The Next Dimension Global Outreach Ministries and Spoken Word School of Ministry and she is on a mission traveling the world proclaiming the Gospel for soul to be won to the Kingdom of God. She has a mandate on her life to help brings others to their divine purpose.