Pastoring Churches (Part 1: The Flock)

This is a gentle scripture-based guide to help simplify and biblically illustrate the basic principles of Pastoring Christ’s flock. It will help new and existing Pastors to keep the goals in view.

Photo by cottonbro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-pastor-holding-a-bible-6275774/

Every church organisation, and by extension, their pastor(s) and leader(s), are entrusted with 3 main responsibilities:

1. The Flock (the people of God)
2. The Organisation (the structures and systems to effectively manage/care for the people and execute the mission)
3. The Mission (the areas of need in the Body that the church is specially called and gifted to herald or draw attention to such as healing, prayerfulness, career/excellence, political governance, social welfare and more)

This article focuses on the first — the Flock.

A Pastor is a shepherd whose primary duty is to take care of the flock assigned to them. This can be broken down into 3 further tasks — Feeding them (with the Word), Tending them (with care & welfare) and Protecting them (with Prayers). We will be looking at all three in details.

Tending Them with Care and Welfare

While not of greatest importance, we will start with “Tending”. The reason is “tending” usually starts any relationship. If a new lamb is born, love, care and attention is what they receive first. Even stray lambs/sheep must receive love and attention to build trust and come into the fold and access protection and feeding. That being said, lets dive straight in.

Tending basically covers both spiritual and physical care extended to lamb and sheep from when they join the flock (whether born within or migrated into), all through as they grow and blossom and finally in managing their leaving (preventing premature exit or guiding a graceful promotion into the next call of God on their lives).

Joining: Increasing the flock can either come through external people joining or internal flock multiplying [bringing in new lamb(s) :-)]. For external joining, there must be plans in place to attract them. This is not vain attraction (worldly advertisement to extort gain) but genuine (figurative) holding of signs to say, “Come in — Jesus cares”.

The most potent way of attracting people is simply raising the banner of Jesus — showing Him to the world. This is known as Evangelism! However, while traditionally it might mean talking on the streets and handing out tracts; we need to start strategizing, leveraging and funding evangelism via media, fully leveraging technology. If more people are safely accessible online than on the streets, then there we go!

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14

It is imperative that people be shone the light (even “before” they “come into the fold”). That is the call, the attraction. We must minister to people through writing, videos, illustrations and allow the Holy Spirit to use these in addressing their cares, worries and deep heart desires and then to bring them in. We must increasingly develop digital materials that spread God’s Word. This must not be religious junk, but carefully curated teaching and illustration that will reach millions of people in a digital age where there is so much misinformation, confusion and demonic information. Light needs to intentionally shine! These digital materials, strategically curated by God’s people will also provide fodder to existing members to use in their one-on-one evangelism to their digital networks, friends and families. These materials will help people in need, provide light for emotional and mental healing and show them a pathway to progress in Christ.

Growing: The Flock entrusted into our care must blossom. Spiritual food is not the only thing members need; they need love and care in form of material, financial, professional / career, emotional, marital, family-related support and all that is related to their life.

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:14–17, NKJV

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “…seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; …” And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, …. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 6:1–7, NKJV

There is need to have fully functional units and departments that cater for the "physical" needs of the flock. There should be dedicated focus (not just singular events) to:

• Infants and Toddlers
• Children
• Teenagers and Young Adults
• Working Class and Single Adults
• Marriages and Families
• The Retired and Elderly
• The Widowed and Single Parents

When these are handled by well qualified and Spirit-filled leaders, the result is the spread of God’s word and growth of the Body.

Leaving: It's usually unpleasant when a member of the flock leaves. It's important to prevent unnecessary exit of members and it's equally important to properly manage a necessary exit. It is the duty of a Pastor to know if certain member(s) needs are not being met — be it spiritual, emotional, financial or other issues related to life. While “satisfying” everyone is not necessarily the goal, especially if desires are not godly or expedient, it is important and necessary to atleast address as many issues as possible. And for people whose time it is to leave, they must be sent forth with true love and supported in the new endeavour

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Acts 20: 28–31, NKJV

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Feeding Them With The WORD

God’s Word is life and perfect — able to resolve ALL THINGS!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16

However, there are 4 things we need to consider to be able to rightly divide the Word.

• Preparation of the Word: Food is NOT JUST Food especially since lambs are not exactly sheep in a sense of what/how they eat. Infant take milk. Food served to toddlers is different and has to be specially prepared (with care and love). The scriptures clearly explains this: “…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2) and “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5: 12–14). This illustrates there is milk and solid food. When it comes to solid food, we have toddlers, young adults and grown adults. We can also safely deduce that putting chunks of meat before a toddler is not really efficient, sometimes you need colors, reduce to byte sizes and be well trained to teach. There is a reason our Lord taught with parables. It gives people whose hearts are tuned an opportunity to hear and understand.
• The Environment of the Word: Food not served in a good environment might go wasted. The very hungry will probably eat and extract, wherever you serve it. However, we are sent to all kinds of people. The Parable of the Sower helps illustrate
• The Quality of Division of the Word: Meat might be meat but, a chef who is well trained and better exercises his/her skills in preparing and serving a meal will help consumption by the hungry. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. “Be diligent…” means its the responsibility of the worker to to put effort without an attitude of “word is word…”, “let me just say it as it comes…”. “Approved” means a mark of quality.
• The Application of The Word: It is not just about delivering the Word. There is a purpose — to give life and light! For doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction. “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130). The “entrance” means it must “enter” — people must understand it. Also, it must benefit them. Help their lives — their careers, marriage and families. As a pastor, you must daily desire that this impact is realised.

Protecting the Flock with Prayers

Standing as an intercessor and a cover for the flock has always been one of the key responsibilities that God seeks in shepherds.

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV)

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men … that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2: 1–6 (NKJV)

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NKJV)

Pastors must as a well organised duty, take out time to pray for their congregation - collectively and individually according to our understanding of their challenges. This obviously necessitates you must be aware of the state of your flock by regularly talking with them and listening to them. Talking WITH not only TO them; conversations not just admonition.

You must genuinely pray for people in your community to come to the light of the truth and be saved:

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1 (NKJV)

You must stand in the gap and pray for all the age categories and demographics of the flock your shepherd, bringing their key needs, challenges and temptations before the Father:

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. Luke 22:31–32 (NKJV)

The more you genuinely pray for the flock, the more the Lord will show you how to better feed and tend them!

Leadership

Ability to be able to do all these requires a continuous dedication to improving your leadership abilities as taught by Christ. Wisdom, humility and constant learning, counsel and improvement is required to be able to:

• First and foremost — hear from God (over the external sounds of distractions, murmurings and complaints of the flock);
• Be able to effectively and convincingly communicate to them, what He told you in the secret place;
• Assemble a trustworthy team of helpers and advisers with the help of the Holy Spirit, who are able to challenge and show you a better way when needed;
• Listen to the flock and be humane before them. Lead with character and compassion. If your team or flock are following you only because they have to — you need to improve your leadership.
• Feed, nurture and attend to the welfare of the flock.
• Delegate execution, but not key decision-making or overall responsibility.
• Pray and stand in the gap on behalf of the flock

My prayer is that this knowledge and guidance helps Pastors and leaders to adequately plan, take steps and lead their teams with wisdom while fully depending on God for resources and greater Wisdom.

With God’s love and mine!