Just as every good recipe in the kitchen has its key ingredients, the same is true in our churches and in our shepherding strategies. Having a plan is good, but having a few key building blocks in place can help us to not just have a plan, but a good plan. We must begin by first clarifying these key elements of any effective shepherding strategy. Each of these is vital to helping assure a congregation is shepherded well, according to God’s design.

The biblical imperative given to pastors to “shepherd the flock of God” under their care, is for churches of every size. This is not a small church vs. large church thing. Whether a congregation is 30, 300, or 3000, the pastoral leadership overseeing a particular flock is accountable to God for the care of His sheep. For this reason, all pastors are responsible to develop some kind of purposeful shepherding plan to help make sure their people are loved, led, fed, protected, and cared for well. We will be talking about how to develop this kind of shepherding strategy in your congregation over the next several weeks.

Today we talk about two of the primary responsibilities God gives pastors as they seek to care for and shepherd His people: Leading and protecting the flock. In this episode we talk about being a wise and faithful leader and protector, how to lovingly yet firmly confront bullies, and the importance of leading as a plurality of pastor-elders.

What does God want of His pastors? What are the primary responsibilities He gives them as they seek to care for and shepherd His people? This week and next we will be considering the four primary, biblical responsibilities of a shepherd pastor. This week we consider the first two of these...what it means and looks like to 1) lovingly know God's flock and to 2) faithfully feed God's flock.

The idea of pastor as shepherd originates not with man, but with God himself. Throughout the Scriptures, the Lord calls on leaders, and specifically pastors, to care for and shepherd the flock that is under their care. God’s people, His sheep, are in desperate need of visionary shepherds who will know them, lead them, protect them, and feed them. However, it is important to first understand that as those called to care for His people, we are first and foremost undershepherds who lead the sheep under the authority of the Good Shepherd, God Himself.

When it comes to ministry, the Bible is clear. We see that in the life of a shepherd pastor, godliness must always precede giftedness...character matters far more than competence. In too many churches, "gifted" men are thrown into pastoral positions without being qualified to fill them. The Scriptures say that holiness, humility, love for God, for family, and for people are essential characteristics for anyone pursuing the role of shepherd pastor. This includes you and me. 

I’m convinced the pursuit of joy in the Lord is the greatest and most worthy pursuit of our lives. But know this: The pursuit of joy is also a fight. The question is: how do we fight for it? 

In ministry, it’s not enough to simply acknowledge that joy is important. Joy in the Lord must be one of—if not THE—greatest pursuits of our lives! Let's consider four reasons why this is.

The “mountaintops” of ministry... How wonderful they are! Mountaintops are those seasons in which pretty much everything seems to be going great. New people are coming, finances are steady, people are joyful and unified. Does it get any better than this?! Of course, the reality is that ministry isn't all mountaintops. We will experience dark valleys, cold shoulders, and times of deep discouragement. This why the cultivation of joy in the Lord is so important. But first, what exactly is joy? And what are some of those things in ministry that seek to steal it from us? In this episode, we will consider these questions together.

As pastors and leaders in the church, we cannot be—nor should we be—passionate about everything. So, the question is, “What are the most important things for us to be passionate about as we seek to lead a declining congregation back to health and vitality?” Let me offer seven things that are critical.