Pastor/Shepherd: How Paul did it...
Today we're looking at the gift of the Pastor(Shepherd). This role is often seen in combination with the role of the Teacher (a careful reading of the original Greek text certainly implies this) but we'll look at "pastor" today and "teacher" tomorrow.There are some who might argue that Paul was an Apostle, but sometimes a Prophet, often an Evangelist and frequently a Pastor-Teacher. This is very feasible. Let's remember that these are gifts of the Spirit and not necessarily talents that are linked to our natural abilities and sweet spots. In 1Cor12:7 we read that gifts of the Spirit are given for "for the common good" and so it is very likely that as Paul moved between various congregations and settings, the Spirit empowered him to be whatever that community required.
We should never cling to a specific Spiritual Gift, but be humble and flexible enough to allow God to use us in different ways in different contexts and during different seasons.
The gift of being a Pastor (or Shepherd) is about nurturing communities. It's about finding the lost, healing the injured, building community, identifying dangers, motivating, equipping and motivating.
A Shepherd can fulfill her/his calling as a minister, an elder, a small-group leader, a pastoral carer and even on a one-to-one basis in the community. You don't need a title to care for people.
Paul was a faithful shepherd, he nurtured communities when he was with them and wrote letters when he was away from them. He nurtured Timothy and Titus and grieved over those who fell away. He embodies the key-characteristic of the Pastor/Shepherd: care for others.
In his letter to the Corinthians he lists the difficulties and challenges of ministry. He talks about persecution, shipwrecks, travelling, whippings, imprisonments and so on. But look at what tops his list in the reading below - this is his heart language...
What about you? Has God given you a shepherd heart to care for people? Our world is lonely and hurting and it needs Christ-centered people who will express the love of Christ in their settings. Will you step up and do it?
| Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2Corinthians11:28-29) |
