Faithful Shepherds
Dec 8, 2021
The term ‘shepherding’ has suffered some negative press over the years. Some have equated it with controlling the details of peoples lives, and that has created push-back. Others have perceived it as one of the ministry gifts that isn’t very effective in leading a growing church, and that too has created push-back. But let’s consider a different definition altogether.
#JesusStories: In Jn. 10 Jesus talked about his role as the good shepherd, and how he opens the gate for people to come and go and find pasture. Interestingly though, he also revealed some other personages who commonly show up in these spiritual pastures. There are thieves who come to rob, kill, and destroy everyone in the pasture. Then there are wolves who prey upon people. And lastly there are hired shepherds who run when the predators show up. These hired shepherds are not like the owner shepherds, and they run because they do not feel a sense of loss that would cause them to turn and fight to defend the vulnerable ones in their pastures.
I suppose it is valuable for every minister of the gospel to stop once in a while and ask if there is any hireling motivation in them? Or are they more robust than that, and see a willingness to fight for the quality of their peoples lives? If you are a Dinner Church pastor, your tables have likely filled up with all sorts of vulnerable of people, who are used to being harassed and threatened in a dozen different ways. But, do we know how to fight for these people? It would be easy if we just served a meal each week and went home, but that sounds like ‘hired-shepherd’ thinking. If however, we were capable of hitting our knees at times and contending for the lives of people whom Jesus has gathered for us, that would be more like ‘owner shepherd’ thinking. While thieves and wolves seem less visible to middle-Americans, they are very real to the half of the population who suffer profound levels of isolation and loneliness. These friends do not need a hireling, they need a pastor ready to fight for them in prayer…they need a FAITHFUL SHEPHERD!
#DinnerChurchQuotes: Wolves are not the scariest things in the wilderness, a watchful pastor with a shepherd staff is. -anonymous
#PracticalStuff: Christmas is coming, and giving a JesusStories bible to each of your people might be a great idea. They are only $3.99 each, but are designed to feel like a genuine gift when you hand them out. If you jump on it today…they might make it before the 25th. Order from DinnerChurch.Com/Resources.
Blessings & Boldness,
Verlon
Dr. Verlon and Melodee Fosner have led a multi-site Assemblies of God Dinner Church in Seattle, Washington since 1999 (www.CommunityDinners.com). In this decade when more churches in the U.S. are declining than thriving, and when ninety-six churches a week are closing, Verlon and Melodee sensed that a different way of doing church was needed for their 97-year old Seattle congregation. It soon became obvious that they were not the only ones in need of a different path. They joined the FX team in 2016 and founded the Dinner Church Collective. And then in 2019 founded the Dinner Church School of Leadership. There is a lot to be gained when church leaders begin to see open doors in the American landscape that they had previously overlooked. Therein lies the journey for those who will forge a new future for the American Church.
Categories: Uncategorized
12.9.21
By: Kristina Meece
“These friends do not need a hireling, they need a pastor ready to fight for them in prayer…they need a FAITHFUL SHEPHERD!”
A truer statement could not be made. At this time in the process, we are still at the starting stage or point in development of our Dinner Church(es). We are not even 100% who will complete our team, let alone know those that will come through our doors.
However, that does not mean that I have not begun praying for them. Praying for those who God will call to fill in the team. Praying for those whom God will send through our doors this time next year. I am praying that they find small seeds of Hope this year. Prayer is powerful.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
12.9.21
By: Julie
I have experienced both types of pastors and it does hurt when the chips fall and a pastor seems to turn their back to the “real” stuff. I appreciate this description of a good shepherd and hope and strive to be that type of shepherd to those the Lord puts on my path.
12.9.21
By: Anthony Johnson
We’re in a day and age where leadership is less trusted than before. People (myself included) can be naturally cynical towards people, assuming they have motives that aren’t always pure or others-focused. The Church should be the place where the best leadership is on full display. I think of Jesus’ words to His disciples when the two brothers ask to sit on his right and left in Mark 10: “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Our calling is to put the well-being of others ahead of our own selfish desires.
12.9.21
By: David A. Brakke
I recently moved to Billings Montana and for the first time in my life I know people who ranch for a living. The first thing you will learn about ranching families is that they know how to work! They work long difficult hours. There is rarely a weekend and never a vacation. The commitment of the rancher is high because his investment is literally living and breathing. Every head of cattle or lamb is their livelihood. It’s a special thing to think of Jesus in this way. Attentive. Protecting. Providing. Faithful. Jesus is truly our good shepherd.
12.13.21
By: David DALTON
Great challenge and reminder Verlon. When we come from a background that didn’t have as many challenges as others, we can sometimes become complacent and lose a sense of urgency in our prayer life, especially when it comes to intercession. I know that I personally have that challenge. I sometimes assume that everyone has circumstances similar to myself, even though I know better if I stop and think about it. My comfort sometimes assuages any sense of urgency in intercession. Thanks for the reminder that being a shepherd involves defending the sheep in prayer.
12.14.21
By: Brad Andres
Always appreciate the encouragement to prayer. Looking forward to diving deeper into the subject with a Trowel and a Sword. More than intellectual reasoning, looking forward to growing in the practice of intercessory prayer. Till then, may the Lord give us all boldness in prayer as good shepherds who reflect and radiate our Good Shepherd: Jesus.
12.17.21
By: Larry Bogenrief
To Say that the term shepherd has taken a hit is an understatement in my opinion and I am sure that it has taken harder hits in certain areas of the country. In my area priest or Pastor also are on the decline, and since the Catholic churches are so large in my area the term is used more for a person who provides a service with no real relationship. The idea of renting a Pastor with no real relationship was so foreign to me but that is the norm and the expectation of my role as “Pastor”. My take is that many people in my area operate treat the minister as a provider of services and will call as consumers with no desire for relationship. If you have a problem with your sink, call a plumber, if you have a toothache call a dentist. If you need ministry which isn’t often you seek out an officiant to do a wedding or funeral. That is why knowing my identity in Christ is so vital to my calling as a “Pastor”
02.15.22
By: daryl miller
I am discovering very “hidden” hired hands. They exsist at all “levels” of the church structure…from the streets to the denominational levels. They have agendas and committments and loyalties that are very subtle, but go deeper than a humans committment should go. I will call them strongholds of fear, flesh, and lack of faith.
Prayer, obedience to the Father, and love keep me faithful shepherd.
02.22.22
By: Jeremy Veninga
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of church life as the crowds pass you by. Everyone becomes another face I. The crowd and we become numb to those around us. I believe that is one of the dinner churches is so valuable because it places you in close proximity to those around us. The people we are serving have felt a abandoned enough so it is vital that we don’t continue that pattern. Let’s be a family!