Today I was privileged to sit on an ordination advisory council for a young man entering the ministry. Among the questions during his examination was a question concerning his view of one who serves as pastor. As he began to describe his feelings, I was impressed with his maturity.
He spoke of "leading his people" to good pastures in the preaching of the Word. Those the Lord has placed in our care need a proper diet to nourish them in their day-to-day.
He spoke of his being an undershepherd -- and a sheep. God had called and equipped him to the tasks of a pastor but he needed to remember the need for him - as a sheep himself - to follow the Good Shepherd.
He also spoke of the need to "protect his sheep" from the wolves and bears of false doctrine and world views that weaken and destroy the flock.
I was glad that I had the opportunity to participate in this council!
Upon my return tonight, I went to a LifeWay E-zine that had published a little section I had written to bi-vocational pastors. In that same edition was a good article by a man named Bobby Bradley entitled "5 Keys For Loving Your Church." The Good Shepherd loves His Flock -- and we are to love our flock as the undersheperd as well.
He states -- "If you want to be a pastor who will be loved and remembered, then love your church as Jesus loved His disciples." Do you love the members of your church as God loves His flock?
When I first came as Associational Missionary here at TRBA, I visited one of our churches. As Linda and I left the service, we were perplexed. We had just left a church that we loved dearly. Our experience had always been that we loved our people and a part of our hearts remained each time God called us to another place of service. But this man did not love his people. His disdain for them was evident. They had little fondness for him as was evident in the comments they made to us. Within a couple of weeks, this man had left the church. I think we MUST love the people and give ourselves as Christ gave Himself for the church.
If you and I, as pastors can imitate to some degree the love of Christ for His church in dealing with the people entrusted to us, then you will be able to fulfill your mission to that congregation. We should not accept a position of service (or keep such a position)where we can not replicate in some measure the love of Christ towards his people who are members of the church or association we serve.
Bradley went on to suggest five ways for letting your people know that you genuinely care for them. I thought I would simply share them with you:
1. Show your love by the way you preach to them. Communicate the love of God to them from the pulpit and let them see that love in you.
2. Tell them you love them. “I love you, Charlene.” “I love you, Steve.” “I love you Susan.” “I love you, Jim.”
3. Communicate your love to them by the way you listen to their problems or the way you show interest when they are sharing with you something that is important to them. Don’t act disinterested or detached.
4. Don’t be “class-conscious.” Care as much for the poor, the elderly, the lonely, and the forgotten as you do for the influential members of your congregation.
5. Don’t be clannish. Don’t spend your time just with one group or clique in the church. If you do this, you will sow discord among the brethren.
These are simple, concise nuggets of wisdom. Most likely all of us SAY we would concur. However, we should daily strive to insure that we display these principles in our actions among and toward our people.
Every opportunity you have, do something or say something that will make them feel loved by you - as well as by God. Make them understand that they are people of worth, especially in the eyes of God and that it is His desire to be in fellowship with them.
As we begin the New Year, it is my prayer that we will make a new and fresh commitment to the Living Lord Jesus Christ to become the men of faith--the pastors---the undershepherds He has celled us to be in His church.
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