The work of shepherding, unlike that of evangelism, is manifold and varied—as varied as is human nature. Those who would do this work, must, of course, look to the Lord for guidance. Still, it may not be out of place to suggest some of the principal needs found among the Lord’s people everywhere.
Those who profess salvation: First in importance, we believe, is ministry to those who have professed faith in Christ as Saviour. How important it is to follow up every professed conversion with loving, pastoral care! This must be handled carefully, for it must never be taken for granted that every soul making a profession is actually born again. What joy would be the evangelist’s if it were so! A faithful inquiry—it may be by the evangelist himself—often discloses the fact that one counted as a convert does not have the root of the matter in him at all. Many such persons can been brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through faithful words spoken after their profession.
Babes in Christ: And then, how vitally important is pastoral ministry to those truly born again! Not more helpless, physically, is the newly born infant, than are these babes in Christ, spiritually. They find themselves in a new realm of things—properly so—but of the character of which they know nothing (2 Cor. 5:17). There are manifold temptations, pitfalls, and snares; a trinity of evil—the world, the flesh, and the devil. Every moral and spiritual assault is made upon them by this evil trinity. Only wise, pastoral care given in the power of the Holy Spirit, can guide them safely through these perils. It is not enough to ground them in sound doctrine—all important as that is. There are matters touching the innermost life that can be solved only by loving, personal, and confidential ministry.
We believe with all our soul in the eternal security of the believer—the truly born again. We believe that a soul is saved at once and completely through faith in Christ alone. But it must never be assumed that the babe in Christ is saved in all the meaning of that word—saved from the power of sin in the flesh; saved from the allurements of the world; saved from the wiles of the devil—without faithful pastoral nurture, by whomsoever ministered. As well we must not assume that the infant of days may be safely left on the doorstep without food and careful nursing! Please do not misunderstand us. A saved soul will never be lost, as regards eternity. But as to this present life, many a child of God is being lost through lack of spiritual care; lost to a life of peace, joy, and victory; lost to a testimony for Christ; lost to the fellowship of the saints. They are poor spiritual waifs, knowing not in a practical way, the Father and the Son.
Converted Children: Most especially would we apply the above to child converts. In recent years child evangelism has been much stressed, many brethren devoting their entire time to children’s meetings. For this we are devoutly thankful. But what an added responsibility falls upon our gatherings! The spiritual care of these babes in Christ may not, in most cases, be entrusted to their homes. Many come from godless homes and, sad to say, not all Christian parents are capable of meeting the needs of new-born souls. Faithful, loving, encouraging pastoral ministry is a most urgent need in the lives of child converts.
Stumbled Believers: They are found in every assembly of the Lord’s people; or, it may be, just unhappy souls drifting alone along life’s pathway; born again, but weak and sickly souls through lack of spiritual nurture. They are usually sensitive souls, perhaps unduly so; they suffer from slights and grievances, real or fancied; they are often stumbled by the inconsistencies of leaders. They need the healing balm of the Word of God ministered in love and grace. Let them never be regarded as hopeless; nursed through this state of soul by pastoral ministry, they may become useful saints.
Absentees: Never should an absentee be neglected. Every absence should be noted and inquired into. Saints often become coolhearted and drift away. They should be lovingly sought out and returned and re-warmed. Oftentimes serious matters cause these absences. In one assembly three blood sisters were missed, but months went by without search into the reasons. Finally, it was learned they were seriously ill and destitute. Loving provision was then made for them; but no sheep of the flock should ever be so neglected! It may be said that this is an extreme case; true, but it is not uncommon. Seasonable pastoral ministry can avert much suffering.
The Aged: There are many dear aged saints who have served their day and generation faithfully, who now spend the passing days and years in loneliness, waiting for their homegoing. The children of their younger days have grown and gone their ways, leaving parents to sit alone with their thoughts and memories, often, only sorrowful ones. Unless in distress or need, these lonely ones are seldom thought of. What a precious and needed ministry is that of giving comfort and spiritual fellowship to them! Yes, they have the Lord; but they need the fellowship of saints and pastoral ministry.
The Infirm: We have them always with us; the young, as well as the old. The writer, some months ago visited one day, a home for the aged. A number of elderly sisters, some of them helpless, gladly and thankfully listened to a message from the Word. It was balm to their lonely hearts. Then we visited a young man, a helpless and hopeless paralytic from an auto accident. What a blessing to such a one can the pastoral visit be! Then we called on a young girl, only 11 years of age, but for a whole year confined to her bed. Yes, dear saints of God, pastoral ministry is needed for such. The writer himself has been laid aside for the past five months by a serious, nearly fatal injury. He has learned much of the need and blessing of visits from the saints.
The Broken-hearted: No mere poetic phrase is this, my brethren. There are broken hearts—hearts that have given way under the weight of sorrow or tragedy. Christ alone can and does heal the broken hearted (Lk. 4:18). Their need is the loving, gracious ministry of Christ, from one who knows experimentally His compassions. Seek them out!
Broken Homes: It is only too sadly true, there are such among the people of God. One of the great evils of the times is that of divorce, and the gatherings have not altogether escaped this evil. Pastoral ministry could save—has saved, many such a home to the glory of God.
The writer recently received a letter from a young officer overseas. It was a manly, Christian letter, breathing the Spirit of Christ in every line. This young man was saved under our ministry, and for years we watched his spiritual growth, up through high school and a great and godless university, then in his chosen profession. Throughout these years he maintained a faithful testimony; and now in the armed forces, is an outstanding witness for Christ. Years before this dear young man was saved, the writer and his wife were used of God to save his parents’ home from becoming a broken home. There were three dear children, two of whom are now saved. What might their lives have been had the home “gone on the rocks”! Yes, broken hearts and broken homes may be healed through pastoral ministry—the ministry of Christ.
Incipient Assembly Difficulties: After many years of experience, we are convinced that most assembly difficulties could be averted and the causes healed through pastoral ministry. Not pastoral meddling, nor muddling, but godly ministry from the Word. To pastoral ministry should incipient difficulties first be entrusted. We believe that few matters need come to assembly action where pastoral ministry has been applied in time.
Written by R. F. Bayles