PAULINE WORK ETHIC: A MODEL TO BI-VOCATIONAL MINISTERS AND CHURCHES IN NIGERIA
Isiorhovoja Uyovwieyovwe Osbert
Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy
Delta State University, Abraka
Email: evanosbert@ymail.com
ABSTRACT
The paper examines the concept of Pauline work ethic as a paradigm for pastors and churches in the 21st century. The work adopts both historical and sociological interpretation along with its economic implications on the church. It looks heuristically at the present challenges of full time pastoral ministry with the aim of using the work ethic as a model for ministers with the aim of shedding unnecessary financial burden on the church and strangulation on the part of the minister. The paper discovers among other things the paupership of the minister’s family, poor access to good educational training, beggarly living as a result of poor remuneration and incessant schism and drop out because of over bearing poor financial standing of the church and pastors. The work concludes by recommending strongly bi-vocational training for all ministers just like Paul and the act of tent making. Ministerial training should therefore prepare the pastors for both challenges so that they can fully integrate themselves into the society. The minister should not see the church as his Amos rather; he should see his calling as an act of service to God. Lastly, the church should be encouraged to support ministerial work and just as Paul did and burdens should not be placed on her so that members can joyfully serve God in their own capacity wherein God has also called them to serve.
Keywords: work ethic, Pauline, economic, challenges, paupership, Baptist and Amos.