|
Ranchers Needed
R. D. Snyder
When Dr. Lyle Schaller introduced the idea that some pastors serve
as shepherds and some as ranchers, many began an attempt to develop
a rancher type model of congregational leadership. Taking as its
basis the Exodus 18 story of Moses assigning leaders to groups of
10, 100 and 1000, pastors began to dream of equipping leaders who
would care for the people, "so that the body of Christ would
be built up" (Eph. 4:12).
The idea behind this concept is simple: Shepherds care for individual
sheep while ranchers care for those who are caring for the sheep.
Joel Comisky in his book Leadership Explosion notes the characteristics
of a pastor-shepherd versus a pastor-rancher:
|
| Some pastors who were serving small churches
of 30-60 people thought they should become ranchers. So, they quit
a whole lot of the traditional work of the pastor such as visiting
all the members regularly, doing all or nearly all the hospital visitation,
attending all the committee meetings, etc. Many of the people chaffed
under this, thinking the pastor was lazy or shunning her/his responsibility.
In fact, several years ago one superintendent said to me out of
frustration, "I wish pastors who don't have a ranch would quit
trying to be ranchers. After all, they have a farm with a little
flock and they should just be shepherds." This sounded somewhat
reasonable to me, but the more I thought about it the more incorrect
the idea became. So, I've asked myself, how would I function as
a pastor if assigned to a church of 30 people? "Just about
the same way were I to be appointed to a church of 3,000."
The big difference would be that the church of 3,000 would already
have a different set of expectations of the pastor than the church
of 30. Therefore, more energy would need to go into illustrating
to the smaller church that "we are a ranch."
Wait a minute! How can a church of 30 be a ranch? Remember, the
church is not a building. The church is open range. A church of
30 people may be surrounded by an unchurched population of 30,000.
It will take a rancher mindset and a rancher strategy to care for
the people in the ministry range of the church building.
So, here is how, under God I'd aim to work as a pastor-rancher,
no matter the size of the congregation.
1. Is it reasonable to say that no matter the size of a church,
pastors must contribute significant time to the nurture of their
own soul, heart and mind? The morning would be devoted to prayer,
study of the Scriptures, and reading, sprinkled with a good dose
of planning so that work with people could have maximum effectiveness.
2. Nearly all the rest of my time would be spent in leadership
development. This means that through prayer and careful observation
I would try to determine which people in the church have potential
for leadership and who were already exercising healthy leadership.
At first, I'd take these people with me as contact occurs with other
people in various settings. I'd give them assignments when ready
and have them report back on their ministry. Key equipping in the
ways and means of developing cells and new leaders would be the
primary focus. Multiplication of leaders, disciples and groups would
be a constant theme and at the appropriate time the planting of
other churches would be placed on a front burner.
3. Without hesitation and with Biblical and historical authority,
I would preach, teach and practice this vision. If and when people
complained that the pastor was spending too much time with the leadership,
I'd in love explain the vision and point out (because the assignments
given and carried out would have accomplished it) that they and
others were receiving more care and attention than they could ever
receive from the pastor. I'd assure them of my love, but also let
them know that God had called me to "equip the saints for works
of service so that the whole body would be built up." I'd also
ask if they would like to be part of the leadership corps that was
being prepared and sent into the harvest. And I'd call upon them
to pray for those who are leading and attempting to take the city
for Christ.
4. Then I'd go home, enjoy my wife and family, listening to all
the joys and challenges of their lives. (Of course, I'd take them
on ministry assignments as well so that our heartbeats would be
in unison.)
|
