More important than preaching…

One of the most difficult things I’ve had to learn to do in ministry was the same thing Peter struggled with. In John 21 Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” To which he responds “yes, Lord.” And Jesus tells him each time, “Then feed me sheep.”Jesus is the Great Shepherd. But as “pastors” we are called to take care of His sheep. His church.

For the first several years of my ministry, I foolishly believed that my ability to preach, my passion, and even my sound doctrinal stance would somehow be what people needed from me as a pastor. As if people’s greatest need from church was for me to accurately deliver Scriptural truth compellingly. And ironically enough, I would have quoted this passage as support for the churches need to get “fed” the Word of God properly.

Before I go any further, allow me to clear one thing up: I’m not recanting our reliance on the Word of God, the need for doctrinal truth, or the power of sound preaching.

What I am saying, is that the shepherd doesn’t just throw food to the sheep and consider his job done. He tends to the flock. He knows the sheep. He would even suggest that he has a relationship with each of his sheep. He cares for each one personally and passionately.

From this passage, and through the personal growth in my own life and ministry, I observe these truths that God intends of us as pastors:

1. The sheep are His. He told Peter, “Feed my sheep.” I am a steward of the people God places under my influence. I’ll be accountable for that stewardship. (Heb. 13:17)
2. It’s about love. Jesus asked Peter to feed his sheep after He asked Peter if he loved Him, each time. There’s a direct connection between my love for Christ, and my leadership of His church.
3. God tests the heart of a pastor. He asked Peter three times if he loved Jesus and to feed His sheep. Obviously, in Peter’s case, there’s some significance to asking him three times, but I believe the point is still there: God consistently tests the heart of a pastor on his love for Him, and his heart for those under his leadership.
4. Brokenness is required. Jesus pursues Peter’s heart until he gets past the “right” answer. Interestingly, Peter’s answer was the same each time. The only difference the third time was that Peter was broken. Jesus had gotten to the heart issues in Peter’s life. Dealing with people is relationally messy. It requires a humble, broken heart. I’m encouraged by this because it tells me that God will pursue my heart, even past my breaking point, on my love for Him and His commitment to me, as I get relationally involved with the people in my sphere of influence.

Each of these screams relational involvement between God and me, and me and His church. It’s not enough to preach a good message. It has been said, “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.” There’s a massive difference between a good preacher and a good pastor. By the grace of God, I intend to be both.

Blessings,

John