This week we’ve been considering the idea of moving from a “shepherd” model of leadership to a “rancher” model when it comes to serving as the pastor of a church. In doing so, we’ve also consider the biblical mandate for multiplying ourselves. Today, let’s ask ourselves one practical question: How are we going to reach the most people in the place God has placed us?
The short answer to that question must be to multiply ourselves. If you see that statement and say, “But I’m a ‘solo’ pastor. I don’t have any staff, and the people I serve expect me to meet all the pastoral needs around here.” I understand. (When I say I understand, let me underline I have learned in nearly thirty-three years of pastoral ministry not to say, “I understand,” unless I have been in the situation. When someone’s spouse dies, for example, and I make a pastoral visit, I would never say, “I understand”, because I have never lost my spouse.)
The reason I understand is I grew up in a church where the pastor didn’t have any staff, and was expected to do the “pastoral” work of the church. I have also observed many churches with that type of mindset, and have consulted in a couple. The model is rather typical in America, even today. While this extreme model of the pastor doing “all” of the ministry in the church is rare, variations of it are typical.
So, how does one multiply oneself in that situation? The first practical reality is you will have to teach and train people to understand and live a biblical model of care. Ephesians 4:12 and following is a great place to start. Start with the church board. Start with a group of folks who have demonstrated a desire to do something in the church. Show them Jesus has given gifts to the church, which are leaders: apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastors and teachers to equip the saints (that’s them!) for the work of ministry.
Until you and I and those God has called us to lead understand the pastor’s role is to equip people for ministry and the people’s role is to do the ministry, we will always be “solo” pastors. This reality changes as a church lives out Ephesians 4:12 in scale, but the principle remains the same. The key is for us as leaders to believe the passage at every level, not just in our heads, but in our hearts and lives as well. I have talked with pastors who don’t believe the people can do ministry, and others who don’t believe the people will do the ministry. Neither statement is biblical.
One more extremely helpful and practical point for today: I have often heard pastors say, “Our people won’t….” The statement is completed with give, join small groups, go on missions trips, and a host of other actions. I have even said it myself. A number of years ago, I heard Craig Groeschel say, “When we say, ‘Our people won’t…’ what we really mean is ‘We haven’t taught our people to…'” That makes all the difference. As long as we put the onus on our people, they won’t change but when we realize as leaders it is our task to discern how to help people see the truth and then live into it, we can make an impact on whatever the situation may be. After all, we can’t change other people, only God can do that. We can let God change us and then influence others to see how the change will be a blessing to them. At the end of the day leadership is influence, and the most practical way to influence others to change for their benefit is to let God influence change in us first.
Here’s to leading better by letting God change the way we think, understand His plans for us and act on them, so we may influence others in the same direction–today! (and for a long time to come, because this will take time.)