A little boy surprised his parents one Sunday on the way home from church when he announced he wanted to be a pastor when he grew up. His parents were thrilled and said, “Do you want to serve God in the ministry?” He said, “No. I just want to tell everyone what to do.”
Have you seen the recent documentary called The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill? The audio journal chronicles the painful dissolution of a megachurch in Seattle. In a largely unchurched part of our country, a charismatic leader rose to build a huge church. The pastor was ultimately disciplined and dismissed for his abusive treatment of staff and members. His former members say he was a bully. My friends in that city say the members of Mars Hill are so disillusioned they do not belong to any church now.
After Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus found him fishing again. Three times he asked Peter if he loved him. Each time, when Peter answered, Jesus told him to care for his sheep. The good Shepherd who laid down his life called Peter to be a shepherd. The word pastor is the Latin word for shepherd.
I listen to the sermons of other preachers so that I can hopefully continue to grow in my own calling and ministry. In recent days, I have observed a trend of macho pastors. Three different pastors claimed they had hit other people who looked at their spouses. What in the world? Paul tells Timothy the pastor is not to be a brawler. The right fist of Christian fellowship is not commended by the word of God for the servants of God.
There is a difference between being bold and being a bully. As the political discourse of our country grows more vitriolic, the leaders of God’s people must ultimately adhere to a different standard. I know we want to be led courageously by bold leaders. But there is no honor in admiring a bully.
Peter shows us a better way. Shepherds care. Shepherds serve willingly. Shepherds are not in it for the money. Shepherds are eager to serve. Shepherds do not lord it over others because we are not the Lord. Shepherds set examples for the flock. When God looked for a King to lead his people, he chose David, a man after his own heart. When he looked for pastors, he chose servants who humbly looked to God for wisdom and led the people of God.
I know. Everything is changing in our world. We can be sure of this: God’s standard for leaders has not changed. This is true for called ministers and called lay leaders alike. Look for leaders who look like Jesus. He was, is, and always will be the best Shepherd of all.
