A PERIODIC BLOG FOR PASTORS AND LEADERS

“Being a pastor has changed dramatically in the last fifty years …

being a shepherd hasn’t!”

From being a ‘generalist’ (needing to run the church as a one-man-band) to highly evolved specialists … it’s changed.

From the demands made on us to know more, handle more, do more … it’s changed.

From being highly favored, respected and honored in the community to being looked at with suspicion or even outright anger … it’s changed.

Old philosophies seemingly don’t work anymore; new approaches must be tried … it’s changed.

There was a measured pace to ministry that made it easy to keep up. It’s now helter/skelter, sudden stops and required times of ‘pedal to the metal.’ It’s changed.

So while we struggle with keeping up and staying current and being relevant while holding to ancient truth, remember … the Scriptural model for what we do is not that of a corporate CEO … it’s a shepherd.

We must not minimize motivation while pursuing methodology.

What are you doing to keep your shepherd heart beating strongly? How much selflessness is part of your care of your flock? How much of ministry has become about you … your success, your satisfaction, your long-term goals, your dreams, ego and pride?

Has how you do ministry become more important than why you are doing it?

“I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it’s like to be a leader, in on Christ’s sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here’s my concern: that you care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.” I Peter 5:2,3 The Message