Pastor Patrick Kiteley of Shiloh Church, photo by Michael Uadiale; source: Flickr
The ministry most often associated with Christianity and the only one universally recognized as a “ministry” is the pastor. Pastors are often referred to as shepherding the flock because they care for their congregation; in fact, the origin of the term is the Greek word “poimen” which means shepherd or feeder. It is signified by “everlasting Father” in the names of Isaiah and the ring finger on the hand, not only because it is the pastor who marries couples and the body to Christ, but because they are the heart of the body, and the ring finger is the one with an artery directly to the heart.
Our first view of the shepherd in detail was David, a shadow of Christ. Born a shepherd, Psalm 23 is his expression of all that a shepherd does and how the Lord is his shepherd. Jesus is the model of this ministry perhaps even more than any of the others as “The Good Shepherd.”
When he asked Peter in John 21:15-17 three times whether he loved Him, his response to Peter’s confirmation of love was, “Feed my lambs/sheep.” As it says in Psalms 100:3, “ we are His people, and the sheep of his pasture.” The pastor must take care of His flock.
Thus, much like the prophet, a pastor who leads his sheep astray is far worse than one who goes astray on one’s own. “Woe unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” (Jeremiah 23:1). A shepherd known only for yelling at the sheep that go astray will drive them further from him more readily than one who is calm and welcoming.
A shepherd who does not train his sheep to stick with the flock will lose some to the predatory world around him. Pastors are supposed to “gently lead” (Isaiah 40:11), meaning they must be directing their flock on the proper way but doing so without being harsh. Their message must be well-rounded (a balanced diet), not just the sweets or just the bitter nourishment.
This puts the pastor in a tough position because s/he must have the discernment to know what perils lie in the path ahead and which path has the most to offer his congregation, then must balance and prepare for the two. This exposes the pastor to failures to both extremes.
Pastors like the one in the lower Midwest, who proclaims that, “God hates fags” (God is love and does not even hate sinners, only our sins), is doing a disservice to his flock. The same goes for those who politicize the pulpit as well as those who refuse to take a stand against injustice.
Like sheep, people are curious and stubbourn, and will often go astray in different ways even though it leaves them vulnerable to be preyed upon. Much like a parent with a brood of children, the pastor must be able to keep a watchful eye over many at one time.
With so much on them, they often must operate in multiple gifts of the Spirit. A true shepherd must have the following characteristics:
1. A personal born-again experience
2. Be recognizable as a true shepherd to others
3. Have his or her voice be known to the flock and heard above all else, so they are not disturbed by other voices
4. A knowledge and intimacy with his or her own flock
5. Leading, rather than driving, the flock, always going before them
6. The ability to focus on his own sheep over the rest of the world
7. Living what he preaches: we see the fall of pastors like Ted Haggart for their hypocrisy
8. Their sheep respond to their voice, following them
9. Their sheep do not follow others, such as false teachers
Comments
Your pastor is on Flickr, huh?
A pastor can make or break a church. I witnessed a church, my first church home in Texas get a new pastor and it seemed that the message changed from being that of spreading the love and word of God to making money for a bigger church.
Too many young Christians I know have a strong faith but shun church due to bad experiences with pastors and church leaders. Hopefully future pastors will read this, and see that if they don't meet these qualities and only have self serving ideas for their future as a church leader than they should not do it but rather find another future.
Great read as always MJ.
Very well thought out.
well thought out
Thanks, everyone, for the comments. Ken, you are spot-on. I also have seen many people disillusioned by specific churches as well as Christianity in general because of these pastors, and many perceive the faith to be all about money because of them.
There's a tremendous responsibility on the shoulders of every true pastor. (And by true, I am referring to those who follow the scriptures and lead their flocks away from heresies of these latter days. It therefore saddens me when the world is exposed to pastors who misrepresent Jesus, His works or his plan of salvation. It would seem to be especially heinous to be responsible for misleading the flock. But at the same time it is our responsibility to know the scriptures well enough to identify the goats from the sheep.
True, and we do have to account for human error. Even the pastor most devoted to God's will over his/her own will make mistakes.
Much agreeance. However, you happened to mention Ted Haggart, famous for his pastoring, but perhaps even more famous for his sin. Unfortunately, he has sinned (just as we ALL have), but I cannot help but think of a great Biblical example of a shepherd- David. David, who wrote many of the Psalms, also sinned, when he not only committed adultery, but murder. David, would also be considered a hypocrite, just as I would be, but that doesn't mean God left him there. He returned to the Lord, repentant. Just wanted to add, so that we too are not quick to recall the sins of others, without always remembering God's redeeming power and what He can do!
You are wrong, God does hate sinners, the word hate means at odds with. You do not know what your talking about. Sin is nothing with out us. You cant have sin with out a person. Sin has no life only people do. When we sin God is at odds with us and we will end up in Hell if we do not become righteous before him by faith and repentance. When we sin God hates us, not our sin. He does not hate a lie he hates a lying tong and so on.
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