Pastor: One who Loves the People
Pastor: One who Loves the People
“Every congregation needs a pastor’s love.” H. B. London
This title has such warmth in it. It is a privilege to hear someone in your church call you “pastor.” It is a tragedy it has been corrupted to be a mere title or refer to an authoritative position. It is not that in the Bible. It comes from the Hebrew word, “Ra’ah” meaning close friend and companion. That calls the leader to care about those under his care. Psalm 23 has so many insights for caring for people, for it points to our great Shepherd Yahweh, whose leadership we are to represent (1 Peter 5:1-4). When we do this, we will receive the crown of glory given to us by the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd Himself.
How can we care like He cares? When our people walk through the valley of the shadow of death, they must sense our support, our presence, just as we know the very presence of Yahweh. This low valley is when we feel forsaken, abandoned, and forgotten. We cry out as David did in the Psalms, “Where are you Lord?” In the same way, we feel that about those who are in the church. Many times the ones we should be able to trust and lean on in difficult times, are the very ones who attack us, criticize us, misunderstand us, or deny us the love we desperately need. Like Job’s friends, they come to sit and mourn, then end up lecturing and condemning the very one to whom they should be listening. So the leader is key in this moment. How is your leadership in times of crisis?
Notice this shepherd is listening to his sheep say, “You are with me.” Listening is one of the most important choices you make. I know we were taught in Bible School or seminary to teach, to speak, to instruct. But listening gives us more credibility than all the other things we may do. The sheep knows you are there. They know you support them, and are a channel of comfort. Our very physical presence is a great strength to those who suffer. Our calming voice assures them that we care, and says more than all the wise counsel we could give. Our listening ears are a must at such a time. Our prayers of love and support tell them we empathize. Our tears and sympathy speak loudly.
The sheep says, “Your rod and staff, they comfort me.” In the time of crisis our rod and staff are essential leadership tools. The rod is for keeping the sheep close to us, the staff for keeping potential enemies far from the sheep. How can you keep the sheep from wandering away? We keep them close by knowing their names, their pain, and their hearts. We keep them close when we touch them with our influence, our strength, and our help in times of trouble. We keep them close by listening to them and then encouraging them that God deeply cares and loves them. The rod corrects what is inside the sheep’s heart. It keeps them from running scared when everything seems out of control. Our leadership must be a stabilizing element that refocuses our people’s hearts on God’s wise and loving leadership and eternal purpose. We become a calming influence.
The staff is for those who oppose God and against those who creep in and seek to disrupt and discourage the very ones you are seeking to help. Drive the menacing voices away by rebuking them or warning them, and reminding them that this sheep belongs to the Lord. Some people like to be doomsayers and speak of the threatening judgments of God at such painful times. Why do they do this? They stir and agitate those who have troubled hearts. These threatening voices can be silenced by the reassurance of God’s promises and wise counsel. He loves that sheep, tell them so. Satan has no hold, for they are held in the hands of one who will never let them go (John 10:28). Depressions, sadness, and a deep sense of meaninglessness can be dispelled by the bright hope in One who was crucified, then buried, and who victoriously rose from the dead. He has been there in that valley and will not forsake the sheep. Just read Romans 8:31-39 and rest under such love!
Caring for people is not easy work. But it is work we must do. It is in the place of difficulty that the sheep learn to respect your leadership more than at any other time. Please do not miss out on deepening your leadership at this crucial moment. This slows down everything, it seems, when we stop and care for one in the valley of the shadow of death. But this is where the gold is. This is where the bond grows deeply. This is when they call you “pastor” as a precious term of love and respect. Then you will “love them to greatness” (H.B. London).
Father, how can we represent You in the lives of our flocks? Help us to love them as You do, to be with them in trouble as You are with us. Help us to be a calming influence and a good listener. May your blessing increase on us and our people as we more and more represent you as our Shepherd, and our Pastor.