"I have a question, is it realistic to expect a pastor/bishop whoever to be available to everyone in a large church? For as many years as I have been at cornerstone, everytime I have ever seen MP walking around and approached him to talk he has always talked to me and has often approached me.He has talked to me outside when I was in a conversation with someone else. When he doesnt I dont get offended or whatever because I understand I am not the only one in the room..., there are a lot of people there and for him to counsel, encourage and deal with everyone, wouldnt that be a little much to ask of any one person, I mean I couldnt do it. I ask this becasue I have heard a lot of that in these comments that he doesnt make himeslf available and I have heard others say they would never go to a large church becasue they want the pastor to know them and be able to just be friends with them...Is that their (the pastors) job to do that? just trying to make sense of things...." By on The Characteristics of a Pastor on 1/19/11 |
Friend, I think you have asked one of those "key" questions that we all have pondered upon at one time or another. In my opinion, there is a vast difference between being available for friendly "greeting exchanges" and actually being available to truly walk alongside your sheep.
Our friend "Aware" has seen your question and wanted to provide you with a response below. In regards to proper church structure, New Testament scripture instructs us to have a Plurality of Leadership. This is often interpreted in different ways. For example, there is a difference in giving individuals a "title" of Pastor and then truly allowing those Pastors the freedom to shepherd the sheep alongside you. "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God."
At the end of the day, we might find ourselves with varying degrees of opinion as we seek to examine the roles of a Pastor, Bishop/Elder, Deacon, etc. However, I will say this: According to Phil. 1:1--"Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in
So --"We are to LEAD AMONG, not OVER.”
With that being said, I believe it is good to consider what others have to share, as you continue to search the scriptures for yourself (like the Bereans). God bless you on your journey forward. And special thanks to "Aware" -Speaking Truth in Love
Pastors Must Know Their Sheep
By: Aware
The role of pastor/shepherd has been dear to my heart over the years, and I wanted to address an important question that has been asked recently on this blog. It is simply this… “I have heard… that he (Michael) doesn’t make himself available and I have heard others say they would never go to a large church because they want the pastor to know them and be able to just be friends with them… Is that their (the pastor’s) job to do that?” This question is legitimate, indeed. What is the role of the pastor, especially if the church is growing and flourishing? Do the “sheep” have a biblical right to ask for the “shepherd” to “know” them? Let’s examine the only valid source of information on this subject… the Word of God. In this instance, we are going straight to the words of Jesus, Himself, on the role of a true shepherd.
John 10: 2-3 + 14 “The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me.’ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice… I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
I know that in this passage, Jesus is describing Himself… but in that description, He shares some essential characteristics of a “good shepherd.” Earthly pastors MUST emulate Jesus, and follow His “good shepherd” example. If they are going to shepherd God’s way, then they must know the sheep that have been placed under their care. Not only must they “know” their sheep, but Jesus says, “my sheep know me.” In other words, the true shepherd is not just familiar with their sheep, but the sheep, in a very real sense can say: “I know that shepherd.”
Please note: This is a modern point of contention in the Body of Christ. Often we hear: “We are growing too rapidly and massively. We deal with too many people; we cannot fulfill this admonition. We must not be accessible to the people; they will wear us out!” I contend, however, that it is absolutely essential for a shepherd to smell like sheep. Jesus left no wiggle room for debate. This is His rule, not man’s rule. In fact, how can it be any other way? To do anything else would make that individual something other than a shepherd, and they would, probably, be the one climbing up some other way to get to God’s sheep. In ancient times, when someone asked, “Where is the shepherd?” They were never directed to the house. They were directed to the field where the sheep were grazing. The shepherd was with his sheep.
Proverbs 27:23 “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.”
The author of this Proverb agreed with Jesus. (Imagine that???) He felt it was essential for shepherds to diligently seek the well-being, the “condition,” of the sheep. However, we cannot know their condition unless we know them. The following discourse by an oriental shepherd puts it in perspective.
“When the sheep are put forth in the morning each takes his place, like a disciplined army, in the grazing line, and keeps the same position throughout the day. When tending my sheep I wondered much at this. Once during the day each sheep would break away from the line and then approach the shepherd with an expectant eye. They would lift a mild ‘baa’ or ‘huh huh.’ The shepherds know the meaning of this... the shepherd by holding out his hand encourages the sheep and the sheep runs to him. The shepherd then rubs its nose and ears, scratches its chin, strokes his hand over its back with a few gentle taps on the shoulder, whispers love words into its ears, ‘How do you like your shepherd? Did you enjoy you food today? Any briars or thorns, or snake bites?’ And he fondles it affectionately. The sheep, in the meantime, rubs against the shepherd’s leg, telling him with all its strength that it loves him, or, if the shepherd is sitting down, nibbles at his ears, the ears that are ever open to its cry, and rubs its cheek like a true lover against the face of the faithful herder. After a few moments of such communion and exchange of love and friendship with the master, and finding fullness of joy in his presence, the sheep returns to its place in the feeding line refreshed and made content by the personal contact with shepherd.” (The Spirit of the Shepherd, pg. 59)
When considering the words of this shepherd, it is easy to see why Jesus used the shepherd/sheep analogy to describe the relationship He has with His people. Everyone, like the sheep in a sheepfold, periodically needs the gentle voice and the loving touch of the shepherd. I believe that is why Jesus so often picked up children and touched them. It was an overflow of His shepherd’s heart bringing the blessing of a loving, caring touch to the most vulnerable among His flock. (Mark 10:16) This touch is reassuring, comforting, and gives the sheep a sense of well-being, especially during difficult times.
What a powerful insight into the importance of touching and mingling with God’s people. If pastors want healthy people in the House of God, and healthy people truly are happier people, then they must begin to put this biblical admonition into practice. Pastors must be attentive to God’s people; otherwise they are not a true shepherd. A pastor’s calling, ministry, and anointing has been given, by God, in order to properly tend the flock. If they are not doing that, or finding a way that it can be done, they are disqualifying themselves from the position. In fact, God warns pastors against dealing with His people in an aloof, dispassionate manner.
Jeremiah 23:1-2 “’Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!’ says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel
Zechariah 11:15-17 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd. For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hoofs. Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock!’ May the sword strike his arm and his right eye!”
The arm, in this passage, is indicative of his spiritual strength and the right eye is indicative of his spiritual insight. The worthless pastor will lose both his spiritual strength and his spiritual insight if he does not take care of God’s people in a caring and compassionate manner. Sound familiar???
I can hear the emotional gasp of exasperation as pastors think to themselves: “Impossible! How can one man keep up with the massive amount of work that this would take?” I say: “Maybe, just maybe, it is not supposed to be a ‘one man in charge’ situation?” Maybe God’s plan is multiple shepherds tending the sheep. Then, as the fold becomes healthy and increases, more true, loving, caring, compassionate, shepherds are added to the fold. This concept, however, doesn’t fit into the plans of individuals who want to build their own kingdoms and fiefdoms. A team approach would also make each true pastor/elder/shepherd “accountable” to those around them. What has developed in the Body of Christ, a singular pastor surrounded by submissive elders and staff, is simply not a biblical model. We must recognize that pastors are elders and elders are pastors. Both Paul (Acts 20:17, 28) and Peter (I Peter 5:1-2) instructed the church elders to pastor, or shepherd, the flock. Pastor and elder are, most probably, different words being used to describe the same calling, not different levels of leadership within an assembly.
I shared these passages with you to get your attention. Even if you disagree with the multiple shepherds concept, you cannot disagree with how important God’s people are to Him. He wants His people touched, healed, sought out, visited and well fed. A plan must be established whereby all of these events are occurring on a regular basis. Not only that, but the pastors must be personally and actively involved in carrying out that plan. What else would a true shepherd want to do???
Please allow this important truth to be sealed in your spirit. God wants His under-shepherds to know the state of their flocks. He wants the flocks to know their shepherds. As for the modern, often repeated, ministerial thought that you should be aloof from the flock, I simply say: “Let’s listen to Jesus please.” He said exactly what He meant to say, no interpretation necessary. Be a good shepherd like Jesus! “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me.”
So, to answer the question asked at the top of this article… YES!!! It is the pastor’s job to know the sheep, it is the pastor’s job to remain accessible to God’s people, it is the pastor’s job to make sure they are taken care of, loved, nurtured, and treated with all the respect that Jesus, Himself, would offer them.
