Pastoral Theology: How We Do Ministry

             Over the past forty-five years I have loved to study, teach and attempt to understand the How and Why we do ministry, Pastoral Theology is study of that topic.

Charles Finney was founder and President of Oberlin College of Ohio and a great theologian, preacher, and writer in his own right, in one of his greatest works “Finney's Unpublished Lectures on Pastoral Theology, Lecturer on Revivals while teaching at Oberlin College from his manuscript notes of 1872, 1874, and 1875, he shares with the students the following: 

“A good shepherd’s care of the sheep is fourfold: (1) Feeding; (2) Guiding; (3) Guarding; (4) Healing” 

Jeremiah 3:15 states in the King James: “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Should be noted that several translation uses the word “Shepard” in place of the word “Pastor” clearly God meant for the Pastor/Shepard to care for his sheep (the church members).

As Pastors we are given the amazing task (let me help folks understand when I’m talking about pastors, I’m also referring to the Associate, Assistant, Children’s Pastor, Youth Pastor, or any other member of the church that is in a role of leadership. I personally have spent 40 years in ministry, over 36 years has been in the role of Associate Pastor, other area of responsibility.  I consider myself a Pastor that God has given some unique responsibilities to serve HIM (God) however and wherever he leads. As I reflect on Charles Finney statement and Jeremiah 3:15 let me help us understand our responsibility “AS I SEE IT”.

            As I write this blog post I understand that Pastoral Theology has several sub-topics including: Homiletic (preaching/teaching), the Sacraments, Ethic’s, Pastor Counseling, Church Leadership. All of these are relevant to the how the church functions. However, if we are doing the following all the other are not relevant.

1)      Feed the Sheep (members) … We are to preach/teach the word of God, not as we think it should be, but as God wrote it. We are to preach the reality of Heaven, as well as the reality of Hell. Clearly teaching the Biblical view of Sin and the awesomeness of His GRACE.  As my pastor Dr. Don Lougheed used to tell us “Preach the Book, the Blood, and the Blessed Redeemer” …. he would also say “Preach the Bible from Genesis to Revelations, and remember always run for the Cross”

2)      Guide the sheep … Wow how many preachers failed in this one today, so many pastors are failing to Guide their sheep into a deeper study of the word of God, or in some cases setting a bad example of what is acceptable behavior based on God’s word, not an individual opinion.

3)      Guarding … I will be honest over couple the past decade I have become very concerned with pastors allowing false teaching, and destructive doctrine within their church.  It is our job to challenge the members of our church in what they are listening to, and move them toward appropriate preachers, in other words, it our responsibility to guard their hearts.

4)      Healing … I know the first place all my Pentecostal and Charismatic friends are going is Divine (physical) healing and yes that is important, and we need to continue to see God move. However, if you read the writing of Charles Finney his first and foremost thought was the Healing of the Soul. It was all about “Does that person know Christ” … it is stated that Finney would walk in a room and people would fall to the floor in conviction of Sin and cry out and repent in other words his life was about Healing (changing) the Sinful ways.

Pastoral Theology is about how we minister to the church in our care! I have been watching Pastors both old and young I see three things that must happen, or the church is doomed!

1)      We need men and women of God to get back to PREACHING THE BIBLE, not opinion or what is popular or acceptable but preaching what God states as truth.

2)      We need to see men and women of God FALLING AT THE ALTAR of the church and CRYING OUT FOR THE MEMBERS that God has given them to shepherd.

3)      We need to see men and women of GOD STANDING IN THE GAP against any and all false teaching coming in their church's door.

Let me make myself clear, I have been a pastor of churches ranging in size from 20 to 120, and have been an Associate, Youth Pastor, Men’s Ministry Director, or Children’s pastor of churches ranging from 80 to 3,000. I personally don’t care the size of the church, small, medium, large or mega it is your responsibility to “FEED, GUIDE, GUARD, AND HEAL” … I know pastors today that are doing this with all their heart and I rejoice in their success and commitment. However, others need to REPENT AND RETURN TO THE CALLING THAT GOD GAVE YOU.