Shepherds

 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep." John 10:11...."The Pastor/Shepherd has given way to 'the leader.'......Many in ministry can impersonate a pastor without being a pastor. " Kyle Strobel

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been gleaning a book I read several years ago titled, "The Way Of The Dragon Or The Way Of The Lamb" by Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel. It deals with how much of the world's ways and values, the way of the Dragon, has seeped into the church. It sends a chilling warning to the church as to whether what we do in ministry is really embarked upon using the tools of the Kingdom, or the tools of the world and the enemy. It bears prayerful consideration.

Much of the book dealt with the role of the pastor, and since that is what I am, and have been for nearly 40 years now, it spoke deeply into my heart, challenging and convicting me. That's why the above quote from Strobel has to be addressed. How far have we in the church gone from seeing a pastor as much more of a leader than a shepherd? How far has the pendulum swung in emphasizing the pastor as an organization leader rather than guiding shepherd of the flock....regardless of the size of the flock? How far have we gone from the role of pastor as guardian, nurturer, and caregiver of the people, to that of them being mainly responsible for casting a vision for the body, setting an agenda, and then skillfully using ( often manipulating?) various means to achieve the vision?

I'm not writing as a way of coming against strong leaders who are people of vision. That has a place in ministry, but has it become the primary place of a pastor? More than that, have church leaders become those who demand that a pastor be this; one who can grow their fellowship, make it more successful, than one who first and foremost devotes themselves to the care and well-being of their people? Goggin and Strobel write, "A true pastor gives his life for the work of the church, regardless of the gain." That should pierce the heart of any pastor, and I have been among them, who look for a better church (opportunity) when prospects where the Lord has placed them look dim. That doesn't mean that there aren't times to move on, but they have to be dictated and initiated clearly by the Lord, and not by our seeking to manipulate things to get "somewhere better. Somewhere more promising"

As we read John 10:11, both pastors and church leaders must ask, "What is it that we are laying our lives down for? What is it that the church asks it's pastor to lay their life down for?" Is it really for those we are to shepherd, serve, and yes, lead? Or is it for an agenda, either ours or the church's? Strobel writes, "Ministry is bringing the life of God through Jesus and His Kingdom into the lives of people." Is this really what pastors and churches most want to see take place? What growth are we really the most interested in seeing and experiencing: growth in attendance, finances, buildings, or growth in the life of Christ in the lives and families of our fellowships....even if the others are not increasing? I all too painfully remember the times when the former took precedence over the latter in my ministry, despite how I sought to justify it, even deny it. Whether you're a pastor, or the people of the church, how often has it been true for you as well?

Could we, as pastors, leaders, and people of God, honestly go before Him and seek to have Him search out our ways? Do our ways and motives more reflect the Kingdom of God or the kingdom that is this world? Do we live and minister in the way of the Lamb, or the way of the Dragon? One day, all of us, pastors and people alike, will stand before Him and have our ministry for Him examined. That which is of Him will be seen as golden. That which springs from and is empowered by our flesh will be burnt up. We'll not be judged by how large or successful our ministries and fellowships were, but by how much of Christ was in them, and in the people He charged us with shepherding and pastoring. It will come down to what was of Him, and what was not? What will it come down to for you and me?

Blessings,

Pastor O