Good Shepherds
“Oh, sorry, Pastor!” That somewhat sarcastic apology occasionally came from my fellow car salespeople if I happened upon one of their conversations laced with “colorful” language. They acted like I was supposed to be above exposure to such things, having been in the ministry. Or, they may have believed that in my sheltered life of spiritual leadership, I couldn’t handle it. I reminded them they didn’t have to treat me differently, except I’d prefer they refer to me as “Your Holiness.”
My stint out of ministry provided me with a treasure of sermon illustrations. It also helped me gain a new perspective of pastoral ministry. It was clear that those outside the church have misconceptions of pastors. They ask, “After Sunday, what do you do the rest of the week?” “Do you get paid for that?” The common denominator is that pastors are unique. Some believe we are different in a good way; others, by unique, mean “weird.”
Pastors don’t have a “normal” job, so few could even begin to relate. Unfortunately, some pastors are beyond weird and give the pastoral ministry a lousy reputation. We’ve seen the headlines over the years. That aside, we are unusual because we have a specific job description.
Besides those that churches write while recruiting a new pastor, we get our list of expectations and responsibilities from specific passages in Scripture. These passages aren’t lists of everyday tasks but more an inventory of the kind of people we should be. As those who lead and represent the congregation of God’s people, He calls us to high levels of character, convictions, and competencies.
The biblical term “pastor” is synonymous with “elder” or “overseer.” It is primarily the writing of Paul and Peter (plus one passage in Acts) where we find teaching concerning the character, convictions, and competencies of a pastor. Why would applying this teaching make the pastor look strange to the average unchurched person? We find a hint in the way they treated Jesus.
No pastor is perfect like Jesus. But to the degree we attempt to be faithful under-shepherds to the Great Shepherd, we set ourselves apart. We also set ourselves up for ridicule, marginalization, and persecution. This doesn’t preclude pastors from being upstanding, respected leaders in the community. But like no other leader, the role of the pastor is divisive by nature. We represent the Light in a dark world. All believers do. But pastors are called uniquely “to be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).
With all that pressure, why would anyone be a pastor? Why not just sell cars or something? Since I tried that, I can say that if God calls one to pastoral ministry, finding fulfillment in something else is not easy. I found it impossible. If one is not called and appointed to pastoral ministry, they should find something else to do. It’s not a cushy career choice.
Shepherds are not shepherds without flocks. The Bible also instructs members of the congregation about their relationship with their pastors. For example, Peter tells young men to “submit yourselves to your elders.” (1 Peter 5:5 NIV), older men being those in church leadership. Flocks are also encouraged to pray for their leaders. If pastors are going to be good shepherds, they need much prayer.
“…shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;” —1 Peter 5:2