Should Pastors Seek the Missing Sheep from the Flock?

[righteousdude2]

You Were Right on!

To be honest, you lost your credibility with me when you began to gossip about the pastor's weight. What does that have to do with him visiting you? IMHO, you've diluted what could have been valid criticism with completely off-topic nit-picking (and since you've mentioned that "several people have confronted him," it's obvious he's the subject of gossip. Is that the mark of a healthy church?)

I'm still trying to find in scripture where it says the pastor is supposed to visit folks once a week who miss.

Since the pastor equips the saints...and if other saints learn to minister to the flock...isn't it a good sign when the pastor has trained a group of folks to check on others and take care of their needs?

Sorry to be so harsh, and I'm not trying to minimize what is obviously a difficult situation. But by gossipping and offering unrelated criticism I don't think you're handling this issue in a mature manner.

I am sorry for getting away from the subject. It was not meant to be gossip, however, I can see how it looks to others, and you caught me, for which I repentant.:tear:

Never stop calling the faithful out for their sin. You were not harsh, just right on! :thumbs::thumbs:

Pastor Paul

 

[tinytim]

I'm a pastor for the days of old. The days when a pastor would look around his congregation, and if he noticed a family, or two, missing more than one Sunday service, I'd be on the phone finding out what was wrong.

I'd even take the time to go visit those who were habitually missing.

The problem I have with today's breed of pastor's is that my wife and I can be gone weeks at a time, and we NEVER hear from the pastor, or anyone else in the church to see if we're still on this earth.

We miss a lot of Sundays because both my wife and I have chronic pain issues, and the pain and the meds to give us relief, is strong and makes driving or going out in the public something that is not recommended.

I'd never let any members of my congregation go more than one service without checking on them. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but is this lack of care a new trend in today's pastors?

Should the pastor be more involved in seeking the sheep entrusted to his care when they are not with the others in the feeding area?

I just thought I'd ask, since there are so many questions going on about expectations of pastors.

BTW, our pastor is way over weight, and there have been many folks that lovingly confronted him about the fat, telling him they cared about his over all health and longevity. His being over weight doesn't bother me as much as his nonchalant attitude about his flock and their whereabouts!

Shalom,

Pastor Paul :type:

The following should be the new church covenant...

I am a soldier in the army of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
​

The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare.

​

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.
I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.

​

I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army;
but, I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out.

​

I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.
If my God needs me, I am there.

​

I am a soldier. I am not a baby.
I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up,
pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier.

​

No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.

​

I am a soldier. I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders,
praising His name, and building His kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.

​

I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.

​

I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.

​

I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Yahushua called me into this Army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even. I will win.

​

My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror.

​

I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ.
Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me!

​

I am a soldier.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield,
He will promote me to a captain.
I am a soldier, in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory.
I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching Heaven bound.


IF it were, there would not be as many baby's crying in the pews...

 

[Servent]

Paul, I don't know much about your church, but if I'm not mistaken it runs over 1,000 on Sunday mornings, right?

In my opinion, that's your problem. You are at a church that is way too big. Churches should be smaller and more personal.

why should a church be small?

 

[matt wade]

why should a church be small?

Because a pastor can't effectively lead a 1,200 person congregation.

 

[tinytim]

Because a pastor can't effectively lead a 1,200 person congregation.

God must have made a mistake on Pentecost!.. OOOPS.. I'm glad you are here to straighten him out...

The pastor is not to do everything...

 

[gb93433]

I'm a pastor for the days of old. The days when a pastor would look around his congregation, and if he noticed a family, or two, missing more than one Sunday service, I'd be on the phone finding out what was wrong.

That is the reasoin why you should not be the only person who is concerned. A pastor centered church focuses on the pastor and not the people. The people must be taught to care for people not expecting only the pastor to care.

 

[Robert Snow]

That is the reasoin why you should not be the only person who is concerned. A pastor centered church focuses on the pastor and not the people. The people must be taught to care for people not expecting only the pastor to care.

Good comment. We should all care for each other. The problem, I don't think, is necessarily with the pastor or most of the people. We live in such a fast-paced society today, no one has time. Both husband and wife have to work, the job now requires more hours. Overtime is often mandatory. We have the television and now the computer to eat up much of the time left over. It probably shouldn't be this way, but that's how I see it.

 

[righteousdude2]

AMEN! I Do Agree

Good comment. We should all care for each other. The problem, I don't think, is necessarily with the pastor or most of the people. We live in such a fast-paced society today, no one has time. Both husband and wife have to work, the job now requires more hours. Overtime is often mandatory. We have the television and now the computer to eat up much of the time left over. It probably shouldn't be this way, but that's how I see it.

This is one of those times that I happen to agree with both you and gb93433. If the people in the pews looked around and made a note of people they haven't seen for a while and called them to make sure all was well, it would make for a church that is ministering as the body was called to do!

For instance, we noticed that a lovely family hadn't been at church every time we were there, and that wasn't like them. The husband played Bass in the worship band, and the wife was always sitting in front of us with here three kids.

We finally called them, and much to our surprise. They were now at another church. They left our church, after 17 years, because their teenage son was ostracized from the youth.

We went over to visit them and found that they are thoroughly happy, and most importantly. Their son is now fully accepted by the youth, and in a leadership position with the group and teen worship team.

I'm just blessed to know that they are happy, and still following Jesus!

That is what the body is all about. There are no excuses for members to not be involved in contacting folks they no longer see around the fellowship!

Thanks for two great responses. :thumbsup:

Shalom,

Pastor Paul

 

[Steadfast Fred]

I do not necessarily think it is the pastor's sole responsibility to check on every member who has missed a couple services.

If the pastor has free time, and the Lord lays it on his heart to check on members, that is wonderful.

But most Churches have a deacon committee to do visitations.

But even then, it is not necessarily the deacon's sole responsibility.

Do members go just to warm the pews? Aren't they also able to hear from the Lord? to pick up the phone and call those who miss a service or two?

I believe it is every Church member's responsibility if God to take a moment of their free time and call another member who was not in service.

My wife and I visited a different Church this past Sunday, and here it is Saturday and not one phone call from any of the members of our Church we have attended for the last several years... nor from the pastor. (we have no deacons)

We will probably visit the same Church tomorrow that we visited last Sunday. I do feel that a Church that has no concern whether its members are there or not is not an effective Church.

 

[Gina B]

You caught me on an issue I have some strong feelings toward.
I believe that many pastors today are really evangelists and don't grasp that concept. They get all excited about telling about Jesus to lost people and going out and finding new members, but some even state one of the things they dislike most is going to visit nonchalant/inactive members.

I think they just don't realize they have the gift of evangelism and not the gift of pastoring!

As far as finding out why someone missed...depends on how they handle it. LOL If I miss, I'd be happy to have someone question why and see if there's a prayer need. On the other hand, I once attended a very strict baptist church very faithfully every time the doors were open and I missed one Sunday because I was in the next town over where I used to live and visited my old church there. The deacons came to visit and ask why, but then they proceeded to tell me I was a "wh*re" for cheating on the church with another one. Yes, they actually used that word. I was at a point in my life of very low self-esteem, newly divorced and alone, and there in my house are two men in suits calling me that with my babies crawling around my feet.

I can do without THOSE kinds of visits!

Lucky for them I did have low self-esteem at the time and was new to the "rules" of Christianity and trying to be obedient and submissive. If that happened now I'd more than likely have slapped them upside the head with a skillet and dragged 'em out the door by their ears.

So yeah. I'm all for PASTORING. Tending the flock.

And I'm all for evangelists. They're awesome!

And I'm all for attending a church that is pastored by a pastor and not an evangelist.

And I'm all for chocolate too. So if I miss a day, I think the pastor should come bearing chocolate.

:thumbsup:

 

[Jim1999]

Always thought part of my duty as pastor was to preach myself out of a job. This being done, the whole church takes on the responsibility to care for each other.

No, this did not excuse personal visitation by the pastor.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Ternera]

If I am going to miss the church service or a prayer meeting I make sure that our pastor knows that. However, if I'd happened to miss a couple of Sundays, I'd expect the pastor, or one of the deacons, or at least a fellow church member to give me a buzz to ask if everything is OK. If I'd seen that a friend who usually shows up every Sunday is missing for a couple of weeks, I'd call him or her to aks if everything is OK. I think we all should care for each other, this is why we are a church family.

 

[rbell]

Isn't that a great job for Sunday School teachers?

 

[PeterM]

Every church is going to be structured differently... and that's certainly OK. That said, as a pastor, I have been intentional about building layers of care/concern within our faith family. Our small group leaders are at the "tip of the spear" so to speak as they probably have the deepest intimacy with the our folks. Ministry Team/Committee leaders would be next. The deacons, staff elders, and then the pastor round out the list.

My hope is that most concerns/problems are handled way before they get to me, but if not I am ready to address whatever rolls my way. My primary role is to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry (preach, teach, disciple), lead, model, encourage, and then get out of the way.

 

[righteousdude2]

My Church Is Now Doing Something About This!

It is a miracle of sorts! Last night, the pastor's sister (church administrator) delivered the message, which was about the new "Care Connection Team" program! This ministry will be used to encourage and involve all members in taking an active part in knowing who is missing and contacting those they see missing.

It is a start in the right direction, although I still think the pastor should be the one doing the contacting.

This new ministry is meant to get everybody into the act of caring for those around them, and I'm happy that the church is doing more than they have up until now!

It takes letting the pastor know there is a problem/concern, and praying he will act. In this case, he is taking action to correct the problem.. :thumbs:

Pastor Paul :type:

 

[Gina B]

It is a miracle of sorts! Last night, the pastor's sister (church administrator) delivered the message, which was about the new "Care Connection Team" program! This ministry will be used to encourage and involve all members in taking an active part in knowing who is missing and contacting those they see missing.

I'm glad your church is becoming involved in such a ministry. It's good to hear you excited about it too. :thumbs:

 

[righteousdude2]

Thanks Gina!

I'm glad your church is becoming involved in such a ministry. It's good to hear you excited about it too. :thumbs:

Yes, it warms my heart to see the church leadership taking some positive action. Over the last year, we've lost about half of the congregation, and most have simply just drifted away!

I've called on several, and they have all expressed that they felt they were being taken for granted, and when they started to miss church, NO one called to see why!

Most of those I've followed up on have found another fellowship, so none were lost, except to this congregation.

Hopefully this new push to reach out to lost and missing sheep will help to keep sheeple in the home church pews. raying: