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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