As a pastor, you are called to lead your congregation with wisdom, grace, and spiritual insight. But what do you do when you have members in your church who possess the unique gift to see into the spiritual realm? How can you effectively lead these individuals and help them use their gifts in a way that honors God and benefits the church? Let’s explore some practical ways that pastors can lead seers in their church.
First, it is important to understand who seers are and what their role is in the church. Seers are individuals who have been given the gift of spiritual sight, allowing them to see into the spiritual realm and receive insight from God. This gift is often accompanied by a strong sense of discernment and a burden to pray and intercede for others. Seers are not called to be lone rangers but are to function as part of the larger body of Christ.
The first step in leading seers is to recognize and affirm their gift. Many seers have had negative experiences in the past where their gift was rejected or misunderstood. As a pastor, you have the opportunity to provide a safe space for seers to share their experiences and insights. Take the time to listen to them and validate their experiences. Encourage them to share what they are seeing and hearing from God in a way that is edifying to the church and honoring to its members.
Second, you should provide seers with the proper training and equipping. While seers may have a natural gift for spiritual sight, they still need to be trained in how to use their gift in a way that is biblical and honoring to God. Consider offering classes or workshops on prophetic ministry, where seers can learn about the biblical foundations of prophetic ministry, how to discern the voice of God, and how to use their gift in a way that is responsible and accountable.
Third, pastors should encourage seers to operate in community. Seers should not function independently but should be connected to a community of believers who can provide accountability, support, and encouragement. Encourage seers to join small groups or prayer groups where they can share what they are seeing and hearing from God and receive feedback from others.
Finally, you should have a clear process for discerning prophetic words. As a pastor, you have a responsibility to protect the integrity of your church and ensure that any prophetic words spoken are in line with the heart of God. Develop a clear process for submitting and discerning prophetic words, and communicate this process clearly to your church.
Leading seers in your church requires wisdom, discernment, and a heart to see these individuals grow in their gift and flourish in their spiritual walk. By recognizing and affirming their gift, providing training and equipping, encouraging community, and having a clear process for discerning prophetic words, pastors can help seers operate in a way that is biblical, accountable, and edifying to the church. May God grant you the wisdom and grace to lead seers in your church with love and humility.