When the church is gathered its primary purpose is the exaltation of God and the edification, equipping, and encouragement of believers. It is important to have a clear theology of the church and understand God’s purpose for the gathered community. Let us all rejoice when a new individual comes to faith in Christ, but this is not justification to abandon some of the flock. Nothing could be further from the shepherding heart of God than this mindset. In their mind, growth justifies the decision. Pragmatically, it is fine to lose individuals as long as the church regains more. They are the sacrificial sheep on the alter of ministry. Therefore, no sacrifice is too great, including the loss of individuals already under the shepherding care of the pastor. Of course, all this happens under the banner of reaching the lost. It is a proven church growth strategy, so many pastors are attracted to it like a pig to slop because it will help them grow their numbers. The seeker-model moves the focus from congregation to community and operates on pragmatism, consumerism, and a faulty theology of the church. All pastors feel a tension between evangelism and discipleship, but one of the two will always lead the way in preaching, program details, and primary audience. The pastor is making a philosophical shift from a discipleship-oriented ministry to an evangelism-focused, seeker approach. I was prompted to think about the role of the pastor shepherd after a recent conversation with a pastor. Shepherds need to have the smell of sheep on their hands. The larger a church gets, the further away from the sheep a pastor becomes. Equally as common is the pastor who functions as CEO and operates a church like a corporation. Sadly, we are all to familiar with pastoral malpractice where a pastor neglects, abandons, abuses, or uses a congregation for his own selfish gain. Pastors are entrusted with a great responsibility-the souls of people in a congregation. The word that should jump out is the word entrusted. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:2-4).Īs someone who was a pastor for nearly twenty years, I read these words and feel the weight of responsibility to the Chief Shepherd. Peter provides instruction regarding what the shepherding role of a pastor is to entail: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. God has given pastors a very clear job description in the Bible.
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