The Challenge of Shepherding a Church

24_10_19 -Ep.334 - Run With Horses Podcast - The Challenge of Shepherding a Church

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Susan’s New book – Parenting Manual
https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo

Norman’s New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It’s a practical, quick read!
https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04

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I have been talking about the church and how we can develop an intentional process to live out out purpose in the world. Today, I want to focus on the role of the pastor in all of this. What a big job!

Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It’s very cool that we can do that together!

Thank you for joining me today! If you are new to the show, you can find our past shows on our website, runwithhorses.net. I have spent several weeks focusing on a definition of the church and the current discussion about a discipleship pathway is best understood in the context of our broader look at the church. If you have been enjoying the show, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review wherever you are listening! And as always, your questions, comments and feedback are welcome. Write me at norman@runwithhorses.net. And now, on with the show...

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Habits – Life-long Learning
Why? If you are still breathing God still has a work for you. Prayer and conversation are the bedrock of our relationships and you can do those throughout your life, often improving with age and expierience.

Commit to Lifelong Learning: Develop a strong biblical foundation. Complement formal learning with self-study, reading classic Christian works, and staying updated on current theological discussions.
Reading Regularly: Read books that deepen your knowledge of the Bible, theology, church history, ministry, and leadership. Developing a reading habit helps you stay informed and sharp for ministry.
Podcasts, conferences, etc.

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Shepherding and equipping a church for ministry requires a lot from a pastor. The role of a pastor involves spiritual leadership, practical management, relational care, as well as conflict resolution, strategic planning and vision-casting.

1. **Spiritual Leadership**
- **Biblical Knowledge**: A deep understanding of Scripture is foundational for guiding others in their faith and making wise, biblically-informed decisions. Pastors must be able to teach and apply God’s Word effectively.

- **Prayer Life**: A vibrant prayer life is crucial for a pastor's personal connection with God and for interceding on behalf of the church. This spiritual discipline provides direction and strength in ministry.

- **Discernment**: Pastors need the ability to discern God's will in various situations, guiding the church in spiritual matters, resolving conflicts, and making decisions that align with God’s purpose for the congregation. Reliance uppon God to do the work in people’s hearts.

2. **Preaching and Teaching**
- **Effective Communication**: Pastors must be skilled communicators, able to convey complex theological concepts in a clear and engaging way. Preaching that is rooted in Scripture, relevant, and inspiring helps build up the church.

- **Teaching Skills**: Beyond preaching, pastors often lead Bible studies, classes, or small groups. The ability to teach in a way that encourages learning and spiritual growth is key to equipping others for ministry.

3. **Relational Skills**
- **Empathy and Compassion**: Shepherding requires understanding the needs, struggles, and joys of church members. A pastor should be compassionate, able to listen well, and offer support during personal and spiritual challenges.

- **Conflict Resolution**: Conflict is inevitable in any community. A pastor needs to mediate effectively, helping to resolve disagreements with wisdom, grace, and patience, while keeping the unity of the church in mind.

- **Mentoring and Discipleship**: Pastors should mentor and disciple individuals, helping them grow spiritually and discover their gifts. This requires building personal relationships and investing time in the development of others.

4. **Leadership and Vision Casting**
- **Visionary Leadership**: A pastor should have the ability to articulate a clear, God-given vision for the church and inspire others to pursue it. This includes setting direction for ministry initiatives and fostering a culture of service.

- **Decision-Making and Strategy**: Along with vision, pastors must develop and execute plans that align with that vision. This includes delegating tasks, organizing ministries, and making sound decisions in challenging situations.

- **Delegation**: Pastors can’t do everything themselves. They need to identify and empower others, delegating responsibilities to staff, volunteers, and lay leaders while trusting them to carry out their roles effectively.

5. **Equipping and Empowering**
- **Recognizing Gifts in Others**: Pastors must be able to discern the spiritual gifts and talents within their congregation and guide people to use them for the benefit of the church. This also involves creating opportunities for service.

- **Training and Development**: Equipping others for ministry requires providing practical training, whether through formal classes, mentorship programs, or on-the-job learning. Pastors should be intentional about developing the skills of potential leaders and volunteers.

- **Empowerment – give authority away to others**: A key part of equipping is empowering others to take ownership of their ministry roles. Pastors need to release control and authority and trust others to lead and serve, offering support rather than micromanagement. This is Jesus’s church not the pastor’s church.

6. **Administration and Organization**
- **Organizational Skills**: Churches often have many moving parts—events, programs, services, and ministries. A pastor needs to be organized and able to manage time, resources, and people efficiently.

- **Team Building**: Pastors must build strong ministry teams, fostering collaboration among staff and volunteers. This involves identifying strengths, fostering unity, and ensuring that everyone is working toward the same goals.

- **Budgeting and Stewardship**: While not always directly responsible for finances, a pastor should understand the church's budget and ensure that resources are being stewarded wisely to further ministry goals.

7. **Emotional Intelligence**
- **Self-Awareness**: Pastors need to understand their own emotional state, strengths, weaknesses, and how they impact others. Emotional intelligence allows them to lead with authenticity and empathy.

- **Ability to read the room**: Being attuned to the emotions and dynamics within the congregation helps pastors navigate sensitive situations with care, whether in pastoral counseling, church conflicts, or personal relationships.

- **Resilience**: Ministry can be emotionally demanding, so pastors need resilience to deal with stress, criticism, and setbacks while maintaining a sense of purpose and faith.

8. **Counseling and Pastoral Care**
- **Counseling Skills**: Many pastors provide pastoral counseling to individuals and families going through difficult times. This requires active listening, empathy, and biblical wisdom, as well as an understanding of when to refer people to professional counseling.

- **Crisis Management**: Pastors often help people through life’s most challenging moments—bereavement, illness, or relational breakdowns. Knowing how to provide comfort and spiritual guidance during crises is an essential part of pastoral care.