Tag: pastoral ministry

7 Pastoral Principles from the Church’s 1st Pastor

7 Pastoral Principles from the Church’s 1st Pastor

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7 Principles for shepherding the local church

Peter served the early church as its first pastor. He had followed Jesus, failed Jesus, and been restored by Jesus. When Peter penned his first epistle to the church, he gave instructions to his fellow elders that speaks to pastors in every generation. For Peter, these seven principles came out of his training from Jesus and his experience as a pastor in the early church. For us, they are preserved in God’s Word in 1 Peter 5:1-5.

I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. 1 Pet. 5:1-5 CSB

Stewardship – (God’s flock)

First and foremost, the flock belongs to God. Every individual sheep is precious to Jesus who died for them. God has given the pastor the profound privilege of serving as His steward of His precious sheep. The Lord expects His undershepherds to love and care for His flock as He does. When a pastor understands this incredible privilege, he will also understand the incredible responsibility that is on his shoulders.

Proximity – (those among you)

Second, a pastor must live among the sheep. Jesus is the greatest example as He came in the flesh to live among us. Pastors are called to live among their people in order to serve and lead them. A pastor can preach from the pulpit, but he cannot be a shepherd unless he is with his people.

Oversight – (overseeing)

Third, the pastor must accept the responsibility to watch over the flock. This will require his diligent attention and sometimes administrative skills. Pastors are called to care for the church as administrators, visionaries, and leaders. Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”

Enthusiasm – (willingly)

Fourth, Peter commands pastors to serve their sheep willingly. Peter’s to obedience Jesus’ call to “shepherd His sheep” was grounded in the truth that Peter loved Jesus. A pastor’s greatest motivation for faithfully shepherding God’s flock should be his love for his Master. When the pastor loves the Lord, an enthusiastic love for the Lord’s flock will closely follow.

Generosity – (not from greed)

Fifth, a pastor should serve with a heart of generosity and not greed. Any man who serves the Lord’s flock “out of greed for money” is not a shepherd, but a hireling (John 10:11-13). A true shepherd surrendered to the call of God will sacrificially serve God’s flock. Paul warned against the false teachers who would serve for monetary gain (1 Tim. 6:1-10). 

Humility – (not lording it over them)

Sixth, Peter called pastors to serve with humility. Peter demanded that pastors lead with a servant’s heart “not lording it over those entrusted to you.” When a shepherd and his church are rightly serving the Lord, there will be no need for politics or power plays. Pastors will accomplish much more by serving their church with a gentle spirit than by demanding submission.

Exemplary – (being an example)

Seventh, pastors are called to be an example to their sheep. Peter found his example in the sufferings of Christ that he personally witnessed (1 Pet. 5:1). As a shepherd living among his sheep, the pastor must lead by example. The sheep will learn to follow their shepherd. When he serves, they will learn to serve. When he evangelizes, the sheep will evangelize. If the pastor expects the sheep to live a Christ-honoring life, he must do so in before their eyes.

God’s Eternal Reward

After admonishing his fellow elders, Peter encouraged them with a promise. “When the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4).” Whatever the pastor may give up on this earth as he submits in service to the Lord’s the flock, he will regain in endless reward from the chief Shepherd. Peter begins his next paragraph with a reminder in verse six to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time.”

Click the image for Pastor Dennis’ short study on this topic.
Pastoral Principles from the Church’s 1st Pastor

Pastoral Principles from the Church’s 1st Pastor

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Jesus fulfilled the promise of God from the Old Testament to provide a messianic shepherd to lead His people (Jer. 23:3-4; Ezek. 34:23-24). As the Good Shepherd, Jesus set out in His ministry to train shepherds for His church that arise following His ascension. He did this by example and through his teaching—even having the disciples practice under His direction (Matt. 10).

The New Testament uses the image of the shepherd to describe men called to lead the church.

Jesus Chose Peter

After His resurrection, He would need to leave someone in charge to serve as shepherd to the new church He was about to launch. Jesus chose Peter. The same brash Peter who said he’d never leave and then denied Him the morning of His resurrection. Peter who had seemingly chosen to go back to his old profession of fishing after things settled down in days following the resurrection.

In John 21, Jesus singled out Peter with an opportunity to affirm his love for Jesus three times–the same number of times he had previously denied him. Peter’s affirmation of love preceded a single command expressed three different ways: “feed my lambs,” “shepherd my sheep,” and “feed my sheep.” Jesus called Peter to leave behind his boats and nets to become a shepherd—a shepherd of Jesus’ flock. Jesus ended the discussion with a simple command, “Follow Me.”

Peter Led the Church

Peter obeyed. He followed Jesus away from the shores of Galilee into the role of a shepherd. His life changed forever as the church exploded onto the scene. Peter served in the key role as the lead pastor for the early church. He led the church in the selection of a new disciple (Acts 1:13-15). Peter stood and proclaimed the Gospel following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). He took the lead when serving with John as they faced imprisonment (Acts 3 and 4).

Peter was on the place of authority as the Holy Spirit poured out discipline on Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5). He represented all the apostles when he proclaimed, “We must obey God rather than people (Acts 5:29).” Peter led in receiving the Samaritans into the church (Acts 8:14). He dealt with Simon’s misunderstanding in Acts 8:20. The Lord used Peter to reach out to the Gentiles and encourage their acceptance into the church Acts 10 and 11. Even in Acts 15 when James is functioning as the lead pastor, Peter still had influence during the Jerusalem Council.

Peter Didn’t Disappoint

What Peter saw as he walked with Jesus, he modeled as he led the church. When he seemed bull-headed, he must have been listening and watching. When he failed miserably, broken and humbled by his own sin, Jesus restored Peter to a place of health and leadership. Given a second chance, Peter didn’t disappoint. He followed the example of the Good Shepherd as he obeyed. He led the early church through treacherous waters to see thousands saved and discipled.

The Privilege of Pastoral Ministry

Pastors are not expected to be perfect. They are expected to follow Jesus. Walk with Him and point your church to Him. Jesus has given all of us a second chance at life through His death and resurrection. Some of us have been called to follow Him as shepherds of His sheep. That is an incredible privilege and a great responsibility.

When Peter wrote his first epistle, he shared some of what he had learned with his fellow elders. We will look at those seven principles in part two of this blog.

Follow this link to watch Pastor Dennis’ study on this subject.
Who Pastors the Pastor?

Who Pastors the Pastor?

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While serving as the pastor of a rural Texas church, this author stood over the bedside while my fourteen-year-old daughter took her last breaths. With a broken heart and my wife by my side, I had confidence and faith in the power of God to carry me through this dark valley. I had stood by many men and women as their pastor in similar, painful circumstances. A hospital chaplain, whom I had never met, stood behind us. He provided his presence and a reading from Scripture that I requested.

Pastoring with a Broken Heart

I was hurting and had a great task before me that would begin with delivering this news to my other three daughters. I was the pastor, but now I needed a pastor. Who could provide that comfort and care to the one who was accustomed to caring for his flock? As a part of the body of Christ, every pastor in his humanity will one day find himself in need of pastoral care.  

Paul Found Comfort in Friends

Neither Paul nor the men who served with him were without fault. Paul’s associates sometimes failed him. Apparently, Paul fell short as his temper was on display in his relationship with Peter, Barnabas, and Mark. This serves as a reminder as well that these were imperfect men. Facing great odds, they were empowered by the Spirit of God to accomplish a great task. In these details of their relationships, we find men who needed each other. They were buoyed by companionship as they suffered together, encouraged each other, and stepped up to provide aid to each other for personal and ministry reasons. 

A Community of Encouragement

This author has found similar strength to remain faithful to the calling of God from other pastors. When faced with the intense grief of losing a daughter after a long illness, I was encouraged and lifted up by the companionship of other ministers. The congregation rendered similar encouragement and aid. The denomination stepped in to help share some of the financial burden. The most important source of strength came from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.  

Fellow Pastors Lift the Burden

A crucial part of my healing and ability to stand tall as a father and pastor was rooted in the companionship, encouragement, and aid of fellow ministers. These relationships were forged in ministry years before my daughter’s passing. The encouragement sometimes took the form of direct admonitions to do the tough things required in tough times. There is a special bond that is rooted in the shared connection as ministers of the Gospel.

This one personal incident serves only to illustrate a greater need. The heavy burden may come from the daily responsibilities of ministry, a difficult church environment, external threats, or the weight of lost souls. That burden is always more bearable when the pastor has faithful fellow servants of the Gospel with whom he can share the load.  

This blog includes the intro and conclusion to my pastoral ministry research project. The middle 25 pages is “academic” writing 🙂 that explored Paul’s ministry relationships found in Colossians 4:7-17. The pastor’s ultimate pastor is the Good Shepherd. A case can also be made for the congregation and deacon body to share the responsiblilty to care for a hurting pastor.

Framework for Revival from the First Great Awakening

Framework for Revival from the First Great Awakening

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Students of the First Great Awakening often recognize the names of Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield as the key leaders. However, it was a less famous pastor who arrived on the shores of America in 1720 that began to shake up the churches in the new world. The Lord used this courageous pastor to help lay the foundation for the coming awakening.

Theodore Frelinghuysen Launched Revival

Both Edwards and Whitefield pointed back to a Dutch Reformed pastor Theodore Jacobus Frelinghuysen. Whitefield referred to Frelinghuysen in his fifth journal in 1739 as the genesis of the Awakening. “He is a worthy old Soldier of JESUS CHRIST, and was the Beginner of the great Work which I trust the Lord is carrying on in these Parts.”[1] In his personal accounts of the Awakening, Jonathan Edwards mentioned the work of Frelinghuysen in relation to the broader movement of God, “There was no small degree of it in some part of the Jerseys. . . under the ministry of a very pious young gentlemen, a Dutch minister, whose name as I remember was Freeling housa.”[2]

Six Key Components of Frelinghuysen’s Ministry

  1. Bold, Gospel-focused Preaching – Frelinghuysen shunned the formal reserved preaching style of his contemporaries for extemporaneous, free flowing messages. He preached bold, gospel-focused sermons that frequently called for clear repentance. To the dismay of many of his parishioners, his messages focused on salvation because he believed many of them were lost.
  2. Authenticity in Worship – Frelinghuysen insisted on authenticity in worship. For example, he abandoned the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer in every worship service, in deference to spontaneous, heart-felt prayers.
  3. Regenerate Church Membership – Frelinghuysen insisted that his church members display evidence of repentance rooted in a changed heart. In his sermon, The Way of God with His People in the Sanctuary, he proclaimed “You who are ungodly and unconverted must realize that the ways of God are indignation and wrath to every soul that does evil. Your sins remain unpardoned and are treasured up to add to your condemnation.”
  4. Biblical Church Discipline – Frelinghuysen fearlessly used church discipline and exclusion from the Lord’s Supper to encourage faithfulness to the doctrinal principles that he fiercely preached. Ecclesiastical Records of the State of New York suggested that Frelinghuysen was not afraid to invoke the third and fourth steps of church disciple for those who continued to create division in the body. In a series of correspondence sent from Frelinghuysen’s supporting elders and those who created division, one can track desire for reconciliation.
  5. Small Group Devotional Meetings – Small group private devotional meetings became a key part of Frelinghuysen’s ministry in the Raritan Valley. These groups consisted of only those who Frelinghuysen believed to be truly born-again. The meetings were not open to the public as were the regular worship services. They were private prayer meetings held in homes and designed for mutual spiritual examination and edification. Through these meetings, Frelinghuysen focused on spiritual growth and training of his flock.
  6. Equipping Lay Leaders to Evangelize and Teach – Using the small group meetings, Frelinghuysen trained trustworthy leaders to share their faith and preach the Gospel. He went against the conventional thought of his time by raising up lay helpers who could shoulder the load of disciple-making. His helpers led new small groups and filled the pulpit at times, effectively multiplying the work of their pastor.

Courageous Pastors are Needed Today

Frelinghuysen’s courageous pastoral leadership is needed in the modern church.  As a pastor, he loved his people enough to challenge their weak faith and insufficient doctrine. The six components of his ministry that lead to revival are all rooted in biblical truth. These are timeless and they could be implemented in any church. He was not universally loved and many leaders challenged his methods from inside and outside his congregations. But, he was mightily used of God. The Lord may very well use a pastor with the courage and conviction of Frelinghuysen, who is willing to challenge the status quo of his local congregation, to lay the groundwork for great revival in the 21st century.

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[1] George Whitefield, The Journals of George Whitefield (Shropshire, England: Quinta, 2009), 431.

[2] Jonathan Edwards, A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Works of God (New York: Dunning & Spalding, 1832), 45.

{This blog was adapted from a PhD seminar paper submitted by the same author, Dennis Hester, in the Spring 2017. The full paper can be found here.}