Shepherds and Ranchers

Since I believe everyone wants to feel connected to and know more about the pastor who preaches on Sunday mornings, I have decided to begin writing a weekly blog. I don’t read blogs regularly and I have never blogged before now, but I am anxious to see if this use of interactive technology can help us grow closer together and partner to build the Kingdom on earth where Jesus reigns. I have named my blog “Heart Matters” because I want to share with you more of what is in my heart. So here goes…

There are two kinds of churches, shepherd churches and rancher churches. These distinctions are made primarily on the size of the church. Shepherd churches are usually under 200 in worship attendance, have only one or two generations that are active and the senior pastor (most likely the only pastor) provides all of the pastoral care for the congregation. In a rancher church, there are usually three to four active generations, the church’s focus is as much on the needs in the community as it is on internal church needs, and the senior pastor primarily “shepherds” 10-15 leaders who then shepherd people in their own area of responsibility.

Don’t get me wrong, everyone needs the care of a shepherd; the question is how many people one person can effectively care for. With 500 to 600 people in worship on Sundays, Oakdale Emory is in a difficult place in some respects. We are too large to be a shepherd church, but many people in our congregation still feel that the senior pastor should be their “primary” shepherd. If Oakdale were a church with 1,500 or 2,000 people active each week, there would be little expectation that the senior pastor could be in touch with that size congregation on a personal level. The truth is shepherding people has great rewards. There is no better feeling than to know that you have been used by God to bless someone. There are few greater privileges than standing by the bedside singing hymns and praying as someone eases from this life to the next. Pastors, like me, who have the privilege of being a part of “rancher” churches, are forced to give some of that up and to train others to share in that privilege.

Thanks for reading my first entry. I believe you will agree that “heart matters” and hope you will let me know what you think by posting your comments below.