“I am the Good Shepherd” (Jn 10:11)
“Shepherd the flock of God . . .” (I Pet 5:2)
Pastors are shepherds.
And shepherds lead sheep.
Some people debate whether the New Testament speaks of pastoral gifting at all. They argue that the word “pastor” refers only to an office and not to a spiritual gift. Others disagree and say that the New Testament speaks of pastoral gifting. Sometimes people argue their points as if the two positions are mutually exclusive. They are not. In Ephesians 4, the pastor-teacher seems to be an office that is a gift (Eph 4:8, 11-12), and in I Peter 5:2, Peter tells the elders that their function is to shepherd the flock. Shepherding is central to the function of the office of pastor/elder, and the moment you say that the office has a function, you make the office something that is better held by someone with gifting to do the function. Some pastors are more naturally gifted at shepherding than others.
This is common sense. You’ve probably observed it yourself. It is true of virtually every function that exists. All believers are to evangelize, but some are more gifted at it than others. All believers are to serve people, but some are more gifted at it than others. All church treasurers are to handle the finances with integrity and skill, but some are more gifted at it than others. All cooks are to make tasty meals, but some are more gifted at it than others. Ten different people may hold the office of high school teacher, but they are not all equally gifted teachers. We could go on.
Functions involve gifting, and the office of pastor has a Biblical function.
What this means is that even the people who argue that the word “pastor” refers only to an office must admit differing levels of gifting at carrying out that office. And the moment you do so, you are referring to a pastoral gift.
Thus, a man may have the spiritual gift of wisdom, prophecy, or evangelism and fill the office of pastor, while someone else may have a shepherding gift and not fill the office of pastor. The office and the gift may have similarities, but they are not identical.
Now because our purpose is to discuss spiritual gifts, I want to focus on the gifting and not the office, but I understand that the office requires the man to do what the gifting is good at.
With that out of the way, let’s talk.
Pastoral leadership is leadership. But it is a different type of leadership. Pastors are shepherds. Shepherding is a combination of servant leadership and spiritual care.
Pastoral leadership does not focus so much on leading tasks or organizations but on leading souls. Shepherds lead hearts. Shepherds want to see you walk with God. They take great joy in seeing God’s people grow in Christ.
Shepherds provide spiritual care and spiritual direction for the sheep. This may entail encouragement when you are discouraged, rebuke when you are stubborn in sin, clarity when you are confused, and a push when you need to stretch your faith.
Because shepherds focus on hearts, they want to get to know you. They lead through relationship. Shepherds build up and equip the church in Christ. They come alongside you and spur you on and encourage you in your walk with Jesus.
Shepherding is an investment in the lives of others and, consequently, takes time. Because of the nature of shepherding, shepherds can shepherd only so many people. The more people in the flock, the greater the need for multiple shepherds.
Importance of Shepherding Gifts
Shepherds are the builders of the church. They build men. They build women. They build the hearts of the people to maturity in Christ.
Strengths of Shepherding Gifts
- care for the church
- care for souls
- focus on spiritual growth
- relational
- see the spiritual realities of life
- care about God’s Word
- patience
- comfortable being alone with God
Weaknesses of Shepherding Gifts
- can have difficulty with evangelism. Shepherds are focused on the sheep.
- can have difficulty with church planting and entrepreneurial tasks
- can burn out trying to shepherd too many people
- can feel lonely
Examples of People with Shepherding Gifts
John, Peter, Timothy, Richard Baxter, Francis Chan
Good Roles for Shepherds
pastor, husband, parent, mentor, discipler
