Protocol:  A system of rules that explain correct conduct and procedures to be followed in formal situations, a code of etiquette rules or guidelines used to maintain conduct and order.

One thing that I am noticing in this season is the inability of people to follow instructions and directions.

I find that people will disrespect the procedure or directions that have been established by someone, because people either have an issue with someone, or are so full of pride until they feel like they don’t need to submit to anyone whom they feel ranks spiritually lower than them.

As a leader, I understand following the proper channels and chain of command.  I also know that God works through the excellence of order, therefore if someone has set order and has specified how they want something done, then I know to follow the proper procedure of the order they have established.

Many times, those in leadership whom I have had the greatest problem with, is when it comes to protocol.

Somehow they feel like their title gives them the right to override the correct procedures which are necessary for a certain situations.

No matter what your title is, you have to follow the guidelines and the chains of command which someone has established.

If a leader has established a person to be in charge of something, then that leader has confidence in who they have appointed, and so the people should be also.

Those in charge will be mature enough to handle the different attitudes and characters of the people so that they won’t become offended when they have to deal with those who are out of order and come with bad spirits.

Working in ministry for years has caused me to experience both sides of this situation.  I have been the one who was disrespected and overlooked by people, because they didn’t like me, or because thought they were higher spiritually than me.

I have been were I followed protocol and followed the chain of command.

Often as a leader I will assign a lead person to oversee conferences, revivals, retreats etc., because I’m doing other ministry stuff and I always expect people to act according to the guidelines set and to follow the chain of command.

I get very irritated when I have someone in charge and people bypass them as if they are not capable of doing their assignment, for if they couldn’t handle the responsibility they would not have put them in charge!

God loves order and following protocol and when someone establishes the proper conduct and procedure this allows things to be run smoothly and done decently and in order.

Just because I know somebody personally, doesn’t mean I bypass their established protocol and do what I want.  No!  If they say contact their administrator, if they say this is the contact person, if they say this is the chain of command, then I follow that.

Let’s learn respect and please, if you have a problem with someone, then perhaps God will use that opportunity to get you delivered and set free from the issue.

Order, respect, honor, protocol, and chain of command, means a lot to me because I know how it feels not to receive either one or to be overlooked and disrespected because of who I am.

We really need to practice the do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Maybe then we can learn how to do things in decency and order!

~ 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 is on a mission, traveling the world, proclaiming the Gospel, for souls to be won to the Kingdom of God. She has life mandate to help bring others to their divine purpose.

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