THE HEALTHY PASTOR: HEALTHY SHEPHERDS, HEALTHY FLOCKS

Then I wrote my book, “Grow the Pastor, Grow the church” many years ago, contesting that churches will become what their pastor is, many did not really agree with my submission. But it is still true till today and that book has become a best seller. All over the place today, incidents upon incidents in churches have proved that assertion true; “grow the pastor, grow the church”. HEALTH Healthy local churches will only come about when they are being pastored by healthy shepherds.

Healthy flocks in the church will also answer only to healthy shepherds. Unfortunately, this truth has been greatly eroded today. Many denominations have install unhealthy shepherds over churches. Majority of those who become pastors today have a lot of question mark on their spiritual health, the more reason the health of local churches are seriously suffering.

A. Biblical Psalm Foundation 23:1,2; Jer. 23:4; Jer. 3:15; Isaiah 40:11; 1 Peter 5:4; Matt. 26:31; John 10:1-2

The Sheep of the Lord always need a Shepherd. He is the Chief Shepherd and He appoints shepherds, to nurture, care, lead, guard, grow and empower the flock to reproduce and multiply. A true shepherd is a ‘man of God’. A healthy shepherd has allowed the workings of the Holy Spirit in his heart and life to produce in him the skill, passion and grace to relate well with the sheep of God.

1. A man of God is a God-made, God-called and God-commissioned to shepherd his people.
2. A man of God is a man with right standing before God-Job 1:8; 1 Sam. 12:2-5
3. A man of God is a man of the Word and Spirit of God-1 Kings 17:24; 2 Tim. 3:17 4.
4. A man of God firmly stands for God and His cause-Acts 4:19,20
5. A man of God is a man who God validates or attests his words, calling or ministry with signs and wonders 44:26; 1 Sam. 3:19. Acts 2:22; Isaiah
6. A man of God manifests both the fruits and gifts of the Spirit-Gal. 5:22-23
7. A man of God is a godly example whose open, transparent life is free from covetousness – 2 Cor. 4:2

A true shepherd truly feeds, not fleece the sheep. He models Christ the Chief Shepherd to the flock. The sheep knows him and follow him to Christ and provides green pasture for them. It is not everyone that is qualified to be shepherd of God’s people. The spiritually lame, blind, halt, withered, broken and dwarf are disqualified. Lev. 21:1-20. It takes God’s great workings within a leader before you can truly shepherd God’s people well – Moses.

B. The Place Of Healthy Shepherds In The Church – John 10:1-4,11- 14

Too many denominations undermine the place and role of the shepherd in the church. One of the reason for scattered flocks today. Consider these truths:-

1. No flock of sheep can have direction without the guidance of a shepherd.
2. Every sheep desires and will only follow a shepherd-good or bad. No flock of sheep can have direction without the guidance of a shepherd.
3. Every sheep desires and will only follow a shepherd-good or bad.
4. Sheep that receive good shepherding will always be healthy and productive.
5. The examples that the shepherd lays is the ones the sheep will follow.
6. Sheep will always feed on the food that the shepherds provide.
7. The actions or inactions of the shepherd will affect the sheeps positively or negatively.
8. A shepherdless flock will scatter and become preys to wolves.
9. Multiple shepherds bring confusion to the sheep.

The role of a shepherd cannot be over- emphasized in a local church. The sheep will always listen to and follow the voice, example and life of the shepherd. A healthy shepherd is a man of Sound salvation, Secret prayers, Serious soul winner, signs and wonders, Separated life and Sound principles of living.

C. Unhealthy Shepherds Today Jer. 56:10-11; Jer. 50:6; Jer. 23:2; Ezek. 34:2; John 10:12

It is a stark reality that many shepherds of the flock today are really unhealthy. Recently, a lady confessed to a top church leader that since her pastor slept with her, she has felt bondage in her womb. The church leader put a call through to the pastor and he confessed that he is under a curse because his own father slept with a king’s wife and was placed under a curse! Can you imagine! Someone in bondage, acting as a shepherd and passing the bondage to his flock!

The followings are signs of unhealthy shepherds today:-

1. Spiritually blind, ignorance and unbroken
2. Sin and wickedness in the heart but pretending.
3. Disastrous personal problems and bondage.
4. Immaturity, carnality and secular ways.
5. Not nurturing the flock in the things of eternal value.
6. The craze for more churches that turns ‘ebola’ people to pastors over churches.
7. Playing church politics and position conscious
8. Pattern of sins in life yet still pastoring.
9. No time to build up spiritual resources to nuture the people.
10. Secular wisdom, management styles to lead spiritual work.
11. Leaving the pecple to find their own ways to grow.
12. Setting unwholesome examples that doesn’t edify.
13. Bringing worldly styles in music, worship and practices to church.
14. Doing everything with motives of money. gain and profit.
15. Relegating the word of God, highlighting dance, music, worship, ceremonies and celebrations.
16. Sleeping around with women and justifying them with bold face.

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THE DYNAMIC PULPIT: THE POWER OF THE WORD

These and many more have adversely affected the health of Christian churches today. There are numerous people that no longer goes to church as a result, rather they worship in their houses on Sundays and weekdays. So many others are moving from place to place, hoping they will find a good shepherd that will shepherd them for the Lord. In a nutshell, there are numerous shepherds today, but healthy shepherds are a scarce commodity.

D. Becoming Healthy Shepherds For Healthy Flocks Jeremiah 3:15

God is seriously searching for healthy shepherds that will truly shepherd His flock for him today. You can become a trusted shepherd that will truly nurture God’s flock through:-

1. Check and re-check your salvation experience with the Lord.

2. Seek to grow in your spiritual and ministerial life.

3. Develop your spiritual capacity to hear from God.

4. Improve your relational skills with people.

5. Keep your word and live transparently.

6. Genuinely love people and listen to them.

7. Repent and ask for forgiveness where it is needed.

8. Know and teach the word of God well.

9. Seek the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

10. Be a godly example everyday in every place.

11. Renew your call and commission by the Lord

According to our Lord Jesus in John 10:1-2, it is only those who enter the sheepfold through Him – the door that can be true shepherds of His sheep. You must know Christ, be called and commission by Him and lead the flock by His word before you can qualify as healthy shepherd.