“Shepherding God’s People”
“?Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood…. So be on your guard! … “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:28-32
For three and a half years now, I have been blessed to be the pastor/shepherd of God’s people here at The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John. It has been a blessing to be part of the joy and challenge of serving with God’s people in this place.
This month, and next, I thought I would take a moment to reflect upon my relationship as shepherd here. As we look at the passage above from Acts 20 we see Paul giving instructions to the elders that are leading the church in Ephesus. I would like to look at each phrase in the passage and apply it to our life together here.
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock”
It is important for me as pastor and for each of us to “watch over ourself.” We are ultimately responsible for our actions before God and each other. We constantly seek God’s grace and strength for ourselves as we strive to serve Him in all that we do.
In addition, however, I am also called to watch over “the flock.” Together with the Board of Elders, I am called to care for and nurture the spiritual life of all in this congregation. I, with the assistance of Pastor Metzger, am called to do that with the power of the Holy Spirit at work through His Word and Sacraments. It is a responsibility that I treasure the joys and am humbled by my shortcomings. I will often fail and for that I am sincerely sorry.
In carrying out this “watch” I do ask your help. I am not able to know all that is going on nor should you expect me to. If you are going through a difficult time, or a time of celebration, and need the prayers and support of God’s Word and His people please call me, or Pastor Metzger. When you do so, you become my immediate priority. This may be at the time of unemployment, injury, anniversary, birth, hospitalization, death, family relationship issues, divorce and the list goes on. Please do not hesitate to e-mail (pastorw@stjohnsycamore.org) call the church (815-895-4477) or home (815-991-5288) if you need pastoral care of any kind.
In addition to this valuable communication directly with me, I seek your prayers. Please pray for me, the ministry of God in this place and each other. God is able to far more than we could ever imagine. Prayer actively trusts our lives to His care.
One additional thought – I am called to care for over 500 confirmed members. This means providing support and spiritual leadership through worship leading and preaching, ministry planning and guidance, hospital and shut-in visits, counseling, teaching (Bible Study, confirmation), visitation of new members, and working with boards and committees. I am simply not able to provide long term counseling. If in working with you, it becomes clear that the issues you confront need long term care than I will often refer you to trusted counselors in the area. In the end this is best for everyone.
“Of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.”
God has worked mightily over and over again to reach down through His people to extend me a call to shepherd His people. Over 26 years He, and He alone, has maintained me as a pastor. Five times He has extended a call to serve and five times the Holy Spirit has guided me to accept that call. As I shared last month in my message – it is God who teaches, we who follow, and God who does the miracle. This call and my involvement as a pastor is clearly one of God’s miracles. When and if, God calls me elswhere will be His action again. If our ministry together were up to us, corporately or individually, it would have all fallen apart a long time ago. We rest solely in His hands!
Thank you for giving me the time to share. I look forward to continuing this reflection next month. I value your feedback. Please let me know what you think.
May God bless our work and our time together now and always.
In Christ,
Pastor Weinhold
