A Pastor’s Heart (Published only by request)

Ministers in Churches come from all walks of life. Some come from multi-generational ministerial families. Some come to the “calling” young, some when they are much older. There are those who choose “ministry” because they can acquire large salaries, and often it is possible to tie that to a leisurely life-style that demands little of their time and effort. There are men and women who are undoubtedly “called” to ministry by their mothers, fathers, friends, or spouse. Many decide that working on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s only is a great lifestyle, and embrace it whole-heartedly.

There are those who are called by God, and given as gifts to the Church, for the edification and training of those who wish to fulfill God’s design for the life of every Believer – which is to become like Christ – that is, mature in the faith. (see Ephesians 4, and specifically vss. 11-13)

I am convinced that even those that are called by God vary in this matter of a Pastor’s heart.

In John 10 the Scripture provides a clear picture of the individual, the calling, the work of one who has a Pastor’s heart. He is called in this passage, the Shepherd. Jesus is, of course, the Great Shepherd, the Example, the perfect One. Even God called and gifted men fall short of measuring up to the Savior, but the example is non-the-less true. One can make the case that those who do not fit the model given in this chapter are “hired men.”  In relationship to the sheep (the image here picturing God’s children) they are ineffective against the Enemy and careless regarding the sheep.

Regardless how well one proclaims the Scripture (preaching), or handles the organization (administration), the primary role of the Pastor (I use the title Pastor and Minister to refer to the same person, even though there are differences in the jobs performed, interchangeably) is the feeding an care of the flock (the sheep, i.e. God’s children). Hence it is mandatory that the one who would be Pastor of others (many or few) much have a heart for such ministry. It is a unique calling and not subject to the will and mind of men, but rather the mind and will of God. Scripture would indicate to us that the calling is an invitation on the part of God for an individual to provide a Holy Spirit inspired ministry that encompasses the vagaries of working with God’s people. It is the belief of this author that such a work cannot be carried out without, first, the calling of one to such a ministry, and second, without the supernatural work of God’s Spirit in every aspect of the operation.

Just as proclaiming the Truth (found only in God’s Word) requires a supernatural gifting from God, so it is clear that a Pastoral Ministry requires a supernatural gifting or, probably, a combination of gifts (supernatural operations of the Spirit in the life of the individual gifted for Pastoral ministry) to accomplish the tasks.

Some gifted men are great preachers, but fail miserably at the work of caring for and lloving the flock of God. Others, are gifted to care for and love the flock of God, but are almost incapable of speaking the Truth in a manner that is both effective and attractive. Unfortunately the Church of Jesus Christ insists that the two functions be accomplished by the same individual leaving many men to fail in the process. Some become great spokespersons for God, others become beloved Pastors who are needed, wanted, and followed by the flock. Most, however, fail at one or the other, and in some cases, both, and are either drummed from the Church or preside over a continual decline in the quality of the flock’s faith, and often in the population of the particular Church with such leadership.

Hence, it is mandatory that a Church who wishes to participate in the design God has created for His family find an individual who demonstrates both the ability to clearly and accurately proclaim the Truth of God’s Word and the heart for Pastoring the flock with genuine care, love, and personal attention focused on each individual. If there comes into the employment of a Church body an individual who is not supernaturally gifted to accomplish both, the wise course of action is to employ another who would compliment the arrangement. That would be, of course, a situation where one or the other would have a larger/smaller contingent of people who are most comfortable with one or the other which can lead to division if the Enemy is allowed to foster such struggles.

Scripture reveals that Jesus knows His flock (sheep) by name, and calls them by it. The under shepherd (Pastor) must follow that pattern. It is important to realize that failure to be infinite at the task requires taking responsibility only the number of people who can be fully cared for, loved, and ministered to in whatever manner is required to keep them within the confines of God’s design for their life. It is safe to say that individual has a Pastor’s heart.

The whole Biblical concept has been corrupted by the rise of organizations who follow a pattern that is extra-Biblical. Church leaders are often focused on the size of the flock, the financial operation of the organization, the status of the Body within the community, and as the number of congregants grows greater and greater, little, if any, Pastoral care survives. On the other hand, some leaders get so focused on the individual ministry of love and care they fail to maintain a vibrant proclamation, create opportunities for growth in numbers, and utilizing Biblical principles to maintain a healthy financial operation.