Shepherding from the Pulpit
Do you love them, pastor? If so, shepherd them from the pulpit. The risen Christ gives pastors to His church as gifts to equip His people for the work of ministry, so the body of Christ is built (Eph. 4:11–14). Pastors fulfill their calling as undershepherds under the tender oversight and rule of the chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ (Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:4).
Today, there are many people who expect pastors to do many things. What should we devote ourselves to? Paul’s final admonition to the elders in Ephesus clarifies our job description. He says, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). The Holy Spirit gives pastors a ministry of caring for the Lord’s flock purchased by the Son of God who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). He loves them, pastor. Do you?
Peter is a helpful pattern for pastors to imitate as they shepherd from the pulpit. After his threefold denial of Jesus, the Good Shepherd restored him to His service. On the shore of the Sea of Tiberius, Jesus cooked their meal over a charcoal fire—the same kind of fire Peter had warmed himself with on the night he abandoned his first love (John 18:18). Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15–17). Through tears, Peter affirmed his love for his Master. The command Jesus gave to Peter set the course for the rest of his ministry. It’s the pattern we should follow as pastors. Jesus says, “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17).
Peter later wrote to pastors: “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:2–3). Jesus wants pastors to imitate Him in the way they love and care for His people. Pastors who love Jesus and His people will devote themselves to feeding the flock spiritually through their regular preaching and teaching.
Shepherding God’s people will happen in many settings. From hospital rooms and counseling sessions to funerals and weddings, the pastor shepherds God’s people among them. One of the most essential venues for shepherding occurs from the pulpit. As God gathers His people for worship, pastors break open the bread of life so the flock may feast and grow to be healthy disciples. Conrad Mbewe says, “It is primarily but not exclusively through pastoral preaching that pastors restore straying believers, feed the people of God, and strengthen those who are weak” (Pastoral Preaching, p. 21). Pastors display their love for God’s people by working hard to preach and teach God’s Word to them to the best of their ability.
Pastors who love Jesus and His people should take care how they take care of God’s sheep. Faithful shepherds will demonstrate their care for His people from the pulpit. This begins well before entering the pulpit when the pastor spends time getting to know those to whom he will preach. Pastors who shepherd from the pulpit know their people. Pastors learn their names and their stories and pray for them. As pastors get to know the people, they are able to provide timely application of God’s Word to them in a helpful way.
Pastors imitate Paul’s demeanor toward the Thessalonians when he describes himself like a nursing mother and a father toward them (1 Thess. 2:7, 11). Church members are those the pastor loves and longs for, his joy and crown (Phil. 4:1). By the way their pastor preaches to them, they can realize they are so precious to the one preaching that he wants to share not only the gospel with them but his very own life (1 Thess. 2:8).
They have enjoyed the blessing of the ministry of the Lord’s servant who is not “quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness” (2 Tim. 2:24–25). Since the aim of the pastor’s charge is love (1 Tim. 1:5), pastors speak the truth in love to those they serve (Eph. 4:15). God’s people should regularly hear that Jesus loves them and that their pastor loves them.
So, do you love them, pastor? Since you do, devote yourself to feeding them the Word of God and pointing them to the gospel through your preaching and teaching ministry. Marvel at the privilege we have to temporarily care for His people by shepherding them from the pulpit until we see our Good Shepherd and He gives us an unfading crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4).
Author: Scott Lucky is the Senior Pastor at Parkway Baptist Church in Clinton, MS.
