Tag: shepherd

  • Letter #62 (The Local Shepherd–2)

    Dear Small Church Congregation,

         I mentioned in the last letter the concept of a spiritual umbrella that needs to exist in Christ’s body.  We know the Father sent the Son, who, in turn, asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to His (Christ’s) body.  There is a spiritual covering that exists because of the work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that covering must be present in order for the Body of Christ to function properly.  We know Jesus is the Head of the Body, and it is His presence, His covering, His spiritual authority, that must be present for the Body to be complete and operating as He desires it to operate.  That presence, covering or authority is what I am referring to when I speak of the spiritual umbrella needed by every part of the Body of Christ, by every congregation and, by direct implication, every individual part of that body.

         I also mentioned that the local shepherd, the pastor, provides a spiritual covering and first line of defense against the devil for the local congregation.  Allow me to explain this statement.  God gave certain “people gifts” to the overall body of believers.  These include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.  Each of these gifts has a particular function to perform within the Body of Christ.  The function of the pastor is to be the shepherd for the local group of disciples who gather for worship.

         The local shepherd is God’s gift to that individual congregation.  However, the congregation is not in charge of the pastor.  They do not “own” the pastor.  They should not dictate His duties, nor should they supervise him like a committee supervises someone under their authority, because the shepherd is not under their authority.  He is under the authority of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  God is his umbrella of spiritual authority if he is not part of a fellowship or denomination that has governance over its members and provides them with ministerial credentials.  If he is part of such a group, then that larger group will be his spiritual umbrella, and the group will be answerable to God for how they lead, protect and guide the pastor.

         Regardless of whether the pastor is covered directly by God or by a group that provides an umbrella of covering, the pastor is responsible for providing the spiritual umbrella for the local congregation.  If you can picture this—God’s umbrella covers the pastor or the credentialling group, and then the pastor covers the congregation.

    (It would be a good idea to read Psalm 23 now before continuing.)

         As the one who is the spiritual umbrella and leader for the local congregation, the pastor serves the people in a manner that is similar to how Jesus led his disciples by being a shepherd to them.  The pastor doesn’t simply teach the people.  He guides them to the best spiritual food possible.  He leads them according to a shared vision for their future.  He helps them grow spiritually and makes sure they are drinking from the spiritual fountain flowing from the presence of the Holy Spirit.

         The pastor also protects the congregation (his flock) from the devil’s attacks.  He goes before them as they journey with Christ, finding the safest, best places for them to graze and bed down for a season until the Holy Spirit leads him into new territory spiritually, and possibly physically.  Additionally, the shepherd corrects the sheep (disciples) when necessary, and, when necessary, he disciplines those who attempt to go on  their own path, instead of remaining on the path God indicates they should follow.

         The pastor helps the flock increase by helping the sheep (disciples) to create new disciples through fulfilling the great commission.  It’s not the pastor’s job to make disciples for the flock by himself.  (A shepherd cannot have the sheep the members of the flock are supposed to have.)  He helps the sheep make new disciples by encouraging them to go out of the building and tell people about Jesus.  When a new person arrives because some member of the flock has led them to Christ and brought them into the fold, the pastor can then care for and help that new sheep to grow spiritually.

         If a congregation’s members have chosen to submit to the leadership of a pastor, instead of desiring that weekend evangelist who visits the sick for them, they have chosen their spiritual umbrella, their guide, the one who is responsible for their spiritual and physical well-being.  They should not expect the pastor to seek to please them.  They should seek for the pastor to help them become as mature spiritually as possible, and that will include times when the pastor does not please them, because pleasing the flock is not the shepherd’s job.

         Their choice of a pastor is a reflection of how much they should be willing to submit to God’s leadership through the pastor.  If they will honor the pastor and get a good understanding of what the local shepherd is supposed strive to achieve, then that congregation will experience spiritual and, probably, physical growth.  It’s not a given that they will fill their building to overflowing, but it is given that they will mature spiritually and become more like Jesus as they follow their local shepherd, their pastor.

         We’ll look at what can potentially happen spiritually and physically when a congregation does follow their pastor in the next letter.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #61 (The Local Shepherd)

    Dear Small Church Congregation,

         I have a question for you.  Do you want a pastor (a local shepherd), or do you want a weekend evangelist who leads people to Jesus for you and visits the sick?  The answer to that question will determine how far you grow spiritually.  It also will determine how long any numerical growth will last in your congregation.

         May I be honest and blunt with you?  If you are seeking the weekend evangelist, you have doomed your congregation to failure.  The desire for a weekend evangelist often reveals that the congregation does not understand the role of a pastor as opposed to that of an evangelist.  The spiritual and physical growth you expect the weekend evangelist to bring to your congregation will probably not last when that dynamic minister decides to leave your presence.  Allow me to elaborate for a moment.

         If the leader is the only one bringing in more sheep (more disciples) to the fold, too many times those sheep are connected only to that leader.  More often than I like to recall, I have witnessed a great preacher lead numerous people to Jesus and encourage them to become involved in the ministry of a congregation, but the congregation had not accepted those new people as an integral part of their group.  They loved to see them at services so the numbers were higher, and they would let them do as much work as they wished to do, but the “core group” of the congregation simply did not accept them into their number.    

         The core group had not been involved in the “birthing” of the new sheep.  They had wanted, even expected, the weekend evangelist to do that.  When the time came for the leader to move on to the next season of ministry, the new sheep too often left with the leader or shortly thereafter.  Their connection to the congregation had been severed, and they didn’t feel like they were part of the “core group.”  And, in reality, they never were.

         If a congregation desires to have a local shepherd, a pastor, and understands the Biblical role of a pastor, then the dynamics for spiritual and physical growth have the opportunity to change dramatically.  People who want a pastor (shepherd) must be willing to fall under the pastor’s authority, which exists spiritually and physically.  They must be willing to be corrected and guided as much as they want to be encouraged. 

         There’s something else about those who want a shepherd to lead them.  They understand that they are the primary ones to birth new sheep into the fold.  (As a disciple of Christ, the pastor will work to lead people to repentance and forgiveness, but the shepherd should never be responsible for birthing the sheep that the sheep are supposed to birth.  That’s not his job description.)  They understand the shepherd’s primary focus is to guide, feed, water, protect, correct and nurture the sheep.

         A congregation that honestly seeks a pastor has a much better chance of growing spiritually and physically.  They know the shepherd will be led by God to be committed to them, and they, in turn, will commit to the shepherd’s leadership and authority.  They have come to understand that, in order to succeed as a congregation, they will have to be under a spiritual umbrella, and that umbrella, that protection and first line of defense against evil that wants to harass them, is provided by the pastor.

         I’ll speak more about the local shepherd and the connection between the congregation and the shepherd (pastor) in the next letter.  Until then, it is my prayer that your congregation has sought a pastor and not a weekend evangelist.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #21–Rest

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         Rest, ah, rest.  What an elusive term for the small church pastor.  As the one person who is tasked with making sure the congregation moves forward, you are often placed in the position of never getting any rest.  Or at least that seems to be the case.  However, I assure you that rest is possible, and I also assure you that it is necessary if you want to maintain your health—physically, mentally, emotionally and especially, spiritually.

         I know the temptation to not stop.  I completely understand the pressures that come from all sides.  I have already been down that street and have long ago used that t-shirt for a grease rag.

         Your personal rest is probably more important to the health of your congregation than you realize.  If the shepherd is exhausted, the sheep will not be cared for as much as they should be.  The best pasture or safest watering hole may be overlooked.  The wolves might even begin to draw near to the sheepfold because the shepherd is not as alert as possible and may not be completely aware of what’s happening in the surroundings of the flock.

         You know about and have probably taught your people the need for the Sabbath’s rest in their lives.  I admonish you to walk your own talk in this matter.  You must—YOU MUST—get regular rest.  You need it just as much as they do.  Just like your congregants, if you are tired all the time, you will not be at the top of your game as their pastor.  Again–You must get regular rest.

         Now, how can you accomplish that?  First, go back and re-read Letter #1.  Next, make up your mind that you are going to get some regular rest.  (You won’t take action unless you decide to take action.)  Then, with all the love and grace you can muster, tell your congregation which day of the week you have chosen for your day of rest.  Finally, take it!

         Arrange for one or two of your leaders to handle necessary items on your day of rest.  Let the people know who they should call on your day of rest, and place your trust in them to be leaders that day.  I promise you, the church will not disintegrate if you take a day off.  If an emergency arises, deal with it if you absolutely have to, and then go back to your rest.  (Even an ox that had fallen into a ditch was rescued on the Sabbath.) 

         Let your day of rest be a special day when you relax, refresh your own relationship with God and enjoy the simple pleasures of family and friends.  Take a nap or two.  Turn off the screens—all of them—and sit in the yard or on your porch with a glass of tea or a cup of coffee and let the ice melt and the cup get cold as you take in all the majesty of the world God has created. 

         Open your mind to listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to you in the silence.  Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to start and start it.  If you’re a fast reader, you might even finish it in one day.  Listen to some good music without answering the phone.  Make some homemade ice cream and gather your family to enjoy your creation. 

         As you enjoy this day of rest, focus on doing things you know will calm your mental, emotional and spiritual self.  Avoid things that make you feel more physically tired at the end of the day than they are worth.  Remember, this is a day to rejuvenate yourself in every area of your life.

         You may be saying to yourself that you don’t see how it is possible you could take a Sabbath’s rest during the week.  You’re wrong in that thought.  My friend, you are not the one who is in ultimate control of this universe.  If your church falls apart because you are not present for one day a week, then the place you call “church” is not being built by Jesus.  I don’t mean to sound hard here, but no one person is completely indispensable to a congregation every day of the week. 

         You can set aside a day, and you need to do so, because you won’t last in ministry if you don’t get the rest you need.  You’ll burn out.  You’ll be consumed by the responsibilities and pressures.  You’ll find yourself resenting the phone calls and texts.  You’ll begin to wonder if you really were called into ministry as you become more and more exhausted from all the activities and questions and crises and problems and meetings—all that everything stuff.

         This letter is a little longer than most, but you need to understand just how important getting a day of rest is to your ministry.  Your enthusiasm will be re-energized.  Your clarity in thought will become focused again.  Your commitment to God’s work will be renewed.  Your emotions will come under control.  Your spirit will be built up by God’s spirit.  Your body will not feel as worn out.  Your whole self will be a better person for the people who follow your guidance as their shepherd.

         “Remember the Sabbath day.”  Rest.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #10–Family

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

          Let’s take a look at one of the great blessings found in a small congregation.  They usually all know each other and may even be related through family ties.  I’ve discovered this “family feeling” is quite common in a small church setting.  Although it sometimes proves to have its downfalls, having a close relationship with each other can be utilized by a pastor to strengthen a congregation’s commitment to the Lord and to each other.

         It will take some time for a congregation to trust a new pastor, but when the pastor demonstrates a willingness to accept everyone and their families, that trust can be achieved, and it will enable the pastor to become more than a weekend evangelist who visits them in the hospital when they’re sick. 

         Remember to forego comparing anyone in the congregation to people in another location.  They want to talk about people they know.  Talk with the people who attend, ask questions about their families and friends and listen attentively to what they say.  Take an interest in all their relationships, even the ones they don’t talk about much.

         When the opportunity avails itself, work on projects with the people in your congregation.  Set work days at your facility and enlist as many people as possible to join in.  If they talk about working on some project at home, volunteer to help them.  Bring your spouse and children, if you have any still at home, and involve them in what’s going on at the church house and the members’ houses.  Go to their family reunions if invited.  Invite them to yours.  Attend their children’s ballgames or birthday parties when you are available.  Demonstrate to the people that you are willing to become part of their lives.

         People who work together, eat together and experience life together grow together.  They learn from each other as they learn about each other.  Those times of informally gaining personal information about each other will bring people to the point of being able to trust each other.  (Remember Letter #5 on Relationships) Allow me to give an example about learning and trusting from my own ministry.

         One of my former congregants was a cattle farmer.  He mentioned one day that he was going to run some new fencing to separate a field for grazing.  I volunteered to come help him install the fence.  As we met early the next day, I asked how he usually laid out the fence line, how he spaced his fence posts and how many runs of barbed wire he was going to put up.  He responded with the information needed to do the job, and we began.

          As we were attaching the wire strands to the posts, he commented that I was the first pastor he had met who knew anything about manual labor, especially farm fencing.  I related how I had grown up on a small farm that had livestock and understood the concept of needing good fences.  He learned I had much in common with him and his way of life.  He had also learned that if I said I was going to do something, I did it.  I learned to trust him, and he learned to trust me.  Every time I see him now, he gives me a firm handshake and a brotherly hug. 

         Remember to keep your word when you tell someone you will do something.  If you have to, write down your promises or put them on your calendar so you can remember what you promised. 

         Speaking of calendars, put birthdays and anniversaries on your own calendar, as well as on the church calendar.  If there is not already a church calendar, create one with the help of someone in the congregation who is interested in this type of activity.  (This is a good way to involve others in producing something useful for the entire congregation.) 

          After acquiring their permission, include the attenders in groups in your social media accounts.  Do everything you can to communicate about daily life with as many people as possible in as many ways as possible.  Let the congregation know you consider all of them as integral parts of your own life.

         You are their shepherd, their pastor.  You are part of their spiritual family and the diverse physical family that makes up the congregation.  Build up the physical family ties, and you will discover that you will be able to better build up the spiritual family under your care.  That “family feeling” is one of the best blessings your small church will possess.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor