Having studied the situation at hand, Pastor felt that the best option was to call the elders together and apologize to them in case he has offended them. He was prepared to go the extra mile just to ensure that he maintain a cordial relationship with the elders of the church.

He told his wife to cook a sumptuous meal for them. As they all gathered, the food was served. Pastor, elder Kehinde, elder Adeola and elder Paul were busy enjoying the food but elder Femi and his cohorts refused to eat.

“Elders what is going on? Why are some of us not eating?” Pastor asked.

“I am coming from a party. You know that today is Saturday. That could also be applicable to other elders that are not eating,” elder Gad answered.

“Even if you are not hungry at least eat meat. Mama can package the food for you to take home. Please make yourselves comfortable. There is enough food,” Pastor urged them.

Elder Femi was not ready to pretend. He saw that day as an opportunity to really show Pastor that he is not happy with him.

“Pastor you know me very well. I don’t pretend. I want to know the essence of this party. You cannot just call us together and ask us to be eating and drinking without telling us the reason for the merriment. We are not children. One has to be careful these days before he will eat what will lead to his death.”

“What did you just say?” elder Paul cut in. “Who will serve you poisoned food? Is it our Pastor or his wife?”

“Paul, did I mention poison while I was talking. You better be careful. I don’t know what is giving you the nerves to address me in that manner. If a child is not careful of the way he goes about asking what happens to his father, he will be the next victim.”

“Elders it is okay please lets calm down,” Pastor pleaded.

“No Pastor, allow me to talk to Paul. He has suddenly assumed the position of assistant pastor. A wretched man, that cannot afford a room of his own since he came to this city have the guts to insult me; a landlord. Simply because we are worshipping in the same church. Paul I don’t blame you. A vulture has been allowed to perch at the gathering of eagles, that is the cause of the insult.”

“Elders I said enough. This is supposed to be a gathering of children of God. Some of the words I’m hearing here is uncalled for. There are things that should not be mentioned even once among us. Please I want to plead that you calm down and listen to me. I want to apologize to every one of us. Whatever has happened at the cause of this meeting, I take responsibility. Please forgive. If anyone has talked to you in a way you don’t like please let it go. Let’s allow the love of God to continue to bind us together,” Pastor pleaded.

“Pastor you are not handling the issue on ground well. There is a question that is pending and that is the bone of contention. To what exactly do we owe this entertainment?” Elder Femi continued unwaveringly.

“It’s alright. I actually called this meeting for us to rub minds together. When I was newly posted to this church, there was love that existed among us. Recently, I noticed that the love is no longer there. As your pastor, I am worried. They say ‘united we stand, divided we fall’. If we, as leaders of the church cannot come together in unity, how can we govern the church? It will surely scatter. I may not really know exactly what went wrong. However I know that where more than one person are, there will surely be some sort of misunderstanding. What really matters is how we handle it.”

At that point, pastor knelt down.

“I want to plead that you forgive me in any area I might have wronged you. I cannot stand alone, I need your support to make it in this assignment that God have given to me. Even if you feel that my sins are so much that I don’t deserve your mercy, please forgive me for Christ sake.”

Elder Paul couldn’t bear the sight of Pastor kneeling to beg them, so he went and held him and begged him to sit.

“Daddy you cannot kneel for us, please stand. You have not offended us in any way. How will you kneel for your children? Do you want the wrath of God to fall on us?”

Elder Femi was enjoying the sight of Pastor kneeling before them, he became angry with elder Paul when he went to lift Pastor.

“Paul you are a hypocrite. I hate hypocrites. How can you say that Pastor did not offend anyone? Are you comfortable with the way things are going in this church? Is it right that members cannot afford three square meals? Is it normal that our youths are unemployed? Answer me Mr. follow follow.” His voice was full of hostility and anger.

“How many of the members cannot afford food. It must be only you and your family.” Elder Paul fired back at him. “This is just the beginning. If you fail to honour God’s servant, you will soon beg for bread.”

“Paul be mindful of your utterances. Are you laying a curse on him? You better be careful,” elder Gad flared up.

“Birds of same feather. You have risen to support your partner in crime. If you don’t stop following his footsteps, your judgment will set before his own,” elder Paul told elder Gad.

“Enough!” Pastor roared .

Elder Femi rose to go but elder Kehinde attempted to hold him but he pushed him away and stormed out. Elders Gad and Monday followed suit.
Pastor stared hard at the elders. He shook his head sadly.