Praying for Faithful Shepherds for Christian Congregations

In recent months I have been thinking about and praying for congregations who are looking for a new permanent pastor, or shepherd. Jesus tells us, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11). Jesus is ultimately the one who guides, and protects, and cares for God’s people, His sheep. His greatest care comes as He lays down His life to forgive us and save us. However, the word “pastor” means shepherd. Jesus may be THE good shepherd, but he commands Peter, “Feed My lambs. . . Tend my sheep . . . Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) Pastors are God’s plan to care for His flock in this world. So, what happens when a congregation, a flock of God’s people, are without a shepherd or pastor?

My former congregation, St. John Lutheran in Palmer, Alaska, was without a permanent pastor for 3 ½ years after I retired. Thankfully, Pastor Jeremy Davis has been shepherding God’s people there since January 2023. Since retirement, when Kathy and I would visit family in Florida, we have attended the congregation where I grew up in Gainesville, First Lutheran Church. But, this summer their pastor for the last 9+ years took a call to serve elsewhere. They are now praying for and working to find a permanent shepherd. In addition, having lived in Alaska for 32 years, I have worked with many of the congregations there. On August 6 Pastor Dustin Atkinson of Star of the North Lutheran Church in Kenai announced that he would be leaving to serve in Colorado. I know and care for God’s people in Kenai. They too are now in need of a pastor. Now you know why “In recent months I have been thinking about and praying for congregations who are looking for new permanent pastors, or shepherd.”

With this in mind, my devotional Scripture readings on Wednesday, September 20, caught my eye. In 2 Chronicles 29 Hezekiah is seeking to repair the temple and renew faithful worship in the kingdom of Israel. During Moses’ time God appointed the tribe of Levi as priests and temple workers. So Hezekiah calls them and directs them, “My sons, do not now be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him." (2 Chronicles 29:11) Hezekiah knows where to turn, to the people whom GOD chose. In addition, the Levites had reason to respond. Indeed history shows God called them to serve and to bring God’s love to His people.

There is an important lesson in this verse, a lesson churches and congregations often forget today. We rightfully go about the task of finding a new shepherd with faithful concern for Jesus and His church. But, if we treat finding a new pastor as a ‘job search,’ if we are asking, “Who are WE going to hire?” then we are forgetting who chooses the shepherds. “the LORD has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him."

If we take this verse (and many others in Scripture) seriously, then our pastors are not the people WE find. We want them to be the shepherd GOD chose. This mean the process of finding these new leaders calls for prayer, and faith, humility and patience. But, when God leads us to the person He HIMSELF chose, well then we have the leader we need.

As an aside, like many other jobs, professions, and areas of service, there is a shortage now of pastors, and that shortage is growing worse. We need committed Christians and young people to seriously consider serving God and His church in ministry.

What a blessing to have The Good Shepherd, who sees caring for the people of God so important that “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” What a blessing for congregations to know that God has chosen a shepherd for them. That is why I am praying for these churches; that they find the pastors God has already chosen for them.