“One God, Mutliple Churches”

We are deeply grateful for the pastors God has placed in our lives. They labor in prayer, teach the Word, counsel the broken, and stand watch over the souls entrusted to their care. Scripture calls them shepherds, and a faithful shepherd loves the flock, protects the flock, and points the flock toward the voice of the true Shepherd. Their role is sacred and necessary, and we should honor them for their obedience to the calling God has placed upon them.

Yet we must remember with humility that pastors are not God. They are human vessels, chosen instruments, and fellow servants walking the same road of grace as the rest of us. They can guide, but they cannot save. They can teach, but they are not the Truth itself. They can pray with us, but only God has the power to heal, deliver, and transform a heart. When we elevate leaders to a place that belongs only to the Lord, we unknowingly shift our eyes from the Creator to the created.

We must also remember that no church is better than another. If a church is led by the true Shepherd, every body of believers is just as important as the next—from the small startup meeting in a living room to the megachurch that fills stadiums. Size does not determine significance, and popularity does not measure anointing. What matters is that God sits on the throne of that church and that Jesus Christ is lifted higher than any name, tradition, or personality.

The church has many shepherds, but only one Chief Shepherd—Jesus Christ. Every pastor, elder, and leader serves under His authority. Their purpose is not to gather worship for themselves but to direct all worship to Him. True spiritual leadership always says, “Follow me as I follow Christ,” never, “Follow me instead of Christ.” Our devotion, our praise, and our ultimate trust must rest in God alone.

Let us be a people who honor leadership without idolizing it, who celebrate every Christ-centered church without comparison, and who remain rooted in the truth that there is one Lord over all His church. Pastors may hold our hands, but God holds our souls. Pastors may speak life, but God is the Life. Pastors may shepherd the flock, but Jesus alone laid down His life for the sheep.

Pray with me: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the pastors and leaders You have placed over our lives. Bless them, strengthen them, and keep their hearts humble before You. Help us to honor them rightly without ever placing them in the seat that belongs only to You. Teach us to love Your whole church and to never measure one congregation above another, but to see each as precious in Your sight. Guard our hearts from misplaced worship and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. May Your church always remember that there is one God, one Savior, and one Spirit who unites us all. We surrender our praise to You alone, for You alone are worthy. In Jesus name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance, Amen.