The church - sheepfold or chicken coop?
Dr. Roberto Miranda
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: The pastor discusses the importance of communication in relationships and clarifying expectations. He then talks about the need to define the church and pastoral leadership in a clear and concise manner. He uses the metaphor of a shepherd and his flock to illustrate the traditional model of pastoral care but also acknowledges that this image may need to be adjusted for the modern era. He emphasizes the importance of a new, more dynamic model that is adjusted to the changing pastoral reality.
The author argues that the traditional model of the church, with the pastor as a shepherd and the congregation as sheep, does not fit the current reality of the church. People today have more options and feel free to change churches if their needs are not being met. The author suggests using a chicken coop as a metaphor for the church, as it is a more realistic model that allows for imperfections, conflicts, and constant change. Chickens are not as obedient as sheep, and the pastor cannot control them as easily. However, they also produce many good things, such as eggs and meat. The author emphasizes the need for pastors to have a more modest idea of their ability to control the congregation and to be patient and long-term in their approach to teaching and guiding them.
The pastor-shepherd model is like tending to sheep, while the farmer model is like managing a chicken farm. The sheep are meek and obedient, while the chickens are dynamic and hard to control. In the pastor-shepherd model, individual care is emphasized, while in the farmer model, systems and protocols are important. The pastor's personal interventions are important in the former, while strategic control is more important in the latter. The pastor-shepherd model is authoritarian, while the farmer model is more indirect. It is difficult for a pastor to individually shepherd each member in a large church, so a system of management is necessary. The role of the senior pastor is to oversee the total atmosphere of the congregation and enable various ministries to flourish. The pastor is like a steward, facilitator, and midwife of God's life in the economy of the church. The pastor should never manipulate or become attached to any member or church. The pastor should delegate, train, disciple, and give feedback to the people.
The pastor is not the central figure in a church, but rather a part of a collective and global care model. It's important for pastors to recognize their limitations and proceed from there, taking a modest and realistic view of the pastorate and church. The role of the pastor is not only to call for holiness but also to regulate sin within tolerable limits, providing fences and controls to prevent it from spilling over and destroying the church. The reality of the church is that people will sin, but pastors must work to keep sin within limits through discipline, love, and adequate correction. The pastor must deal with their own humanity and that of their people, recognizing the reality of the church and working towards the glorious vision that God has for us.
The author argues that the traditional model of the church, with the pastor as a shepherd and the congregation as sheep, does not fit the current reality of the church. People today have more options and feel free to change churches if their needs are not being met. The author suggests using a chicken coop as a metaphor for the church, as it is a more realistic model that allows for imperfections, conflicts, and constant change. Chickens are not as obedient as sheep, and the pastor cannot control them as easily. However, they also produce many good things, such as eggs and meat. The author emphasizes the need for pastors to have a more modest idea of their ability to control the congregation and to be patient and long-term in their approach to teaching and guiding them.
The pastor-shepherd model is like tending to sheep, while the farmer model is like managing a chicken farm. The sheep are meek and obedient, while the chickens are dynamic and hard to control. In the pastor-shepherd model, individual care is emphasized, while in the farmer model, systems and protocols are important. The pastor's personal interventions are important in the former, while strategic control is more important in the latter. The pastor-shepherd model is authoritarian, while the farmer model is more indirect. It is difficult for a pastor to individually shepherd each member in a large church, so a system of management is necessary. The role of the senior pastor is to oversee the total atmosphere of the congregation and enable various ministries to flourish. The pastor is like a steward, facilitator, and midwife of God's life in the economy of the church. The pastor should never manipulate or become attached to any member or church. The pastor should delegate, train, disciple, and give feedback to the people.
The pastor is not the central figure in a church, but rather a part of a collective and global care model. It's important for pastors to recognize their limitations and proceed from there, taking a modest and realistic view of the pastorate and church. The role of the pastor is not only to call for holiness but also to regulate sin within tolerable limits, providing fences and controls to prevent it from spilling over and destroying the church. The reality of the church is that people will sin, but pastors must work to keep sin within limits through discipline, love, and adequate correction. The pastor must deal with their own humanity and that of their people, recognizing the reality of the church and working towards the glorious vision that God has for us.
Unfortunately my theme is far from being romantic, but it is love, let's say. He is animated by a spirit of love and pastoral care. I want to talk to you, imagine the title "The church fold or chicken coop", after music like this, forgive me. God have mercy on you with a pastor like this.
The good thing is that I have already cushioned the word with this beautiful music. But I want to speak to you, I know this word is from the Lord and it will allow us to love each other more and that you will better understand your main pastor, your church, your pastors in general. It is part of this series that we have been preaching about what our congregation is and what our church leadership is, and what we believe and what I, as a pastor, believe about elements that affect us in a very powerful way as a congregation.
The good thing is that I have already cushioned the word with this beautiful music. But I want to speak to you, I know this word is from the Lord and it will allow us to love each other more and that you will better understand your main pastor, your church, your pastors in general. It is part of this series that we have been preaching about what our congregation is and what our church leadership is, and what we believe and what I, as a pastor, believe about elements that affect us in a very powerful way as a congregation.
