PROPOSAL FOR SHEPHERDING PROGRAM
ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH
WHY DO WE NEED A PROGRAM
With all the other programs being pushed in our congregation,
why should we take on another one?
My understanding of the challenge to provide ongoing spiritual care to
the members of St. Peter led me to suggest, in the fall of 1986, that
St. Peter Church Council organize a Shepherding Ministry for the purpose
of providing for the general spiritual oversight of the members of our
church. At that time the Church Council did not think such a program would
be necessary or feasible.
I still believe that the need for such a program still exists at St. Peter.
I base this on the following observations:
- The Church Council has struggled to arrive at a method of monitoring
the worship attendance of our members. It is generally understood in
church work that attendance at worship is a prime indicator of spiritual
health. At the present time there is no reliable way of monitoring the
worship attendance of our members.
- The active membership of St. Peter is spread over an area covering
about 300 square miles. Our members go to hospitals in Streator, Pontiac,
Bloomington, Eureka, and Peoria on a regular basis. This means that
a great deal of time is spent on the road. If the congregation were
divided into small units with a responsible member of the congregation
given general spiritual oversight we cold beat the “distance game”
and do more effective ministry among our members.
- Assimilation of new members is a difficult process in congregations
as established as St. Peter Lutheran Church. After the initial “flush”
of adult confirmation and new members reception, new members stay active
when they are able to establish a significant relationship with an established
member of the congregation. New members could discover such a relationship
in small groups designed to provide “first line” spiritual
care.
- St. Peter Lutheran Church has a rich resource of people who are willing,
have the time, and possess the gifts for performing caring ministry
among our members. At the present time many of these fine Christian
people are praying for and calling on the members of St. Peter. But
these efforts have no support system and are totally unorganized. A
Shepherding Program would provide support, organization, and recognition
to those members of our congregation who are continually caring for
our members.
These general observations remain a daily concern in our ministry at
St. Peter. It is my belief that our congregation could derive great
benefit from organizing itself into small groups to provide general
spiritual oversight among the members.
Many congregations have tried shepherding programs, some successfully,
some not. The program is better understood by taking a look first at
what Shepherding is NOT designed to do, then at what it IS designed
to do.
IS NOT:
-
The Shepherding Program is not intended to replace
the regular visits of the pastor in the congregation.
-
The Shepherding Program will not reduce the pastor’s
visiting load. When the program is properly used, and information
is forwarded to the pastor from small group Shepherds, pastor’s
visits will increase.
-
The Shepherding Program is not intended to be an evangelism
effort. Small groups will be made up of active members of the congregation.
-
The Shepherding Program is not an effort to offer
personal counseling to congregational members. While these matters
may arise in the course of visiting, these matters should be referred
to the pastor.
IS:
- The Shepherding Program is aimed at getting one responsible person
in touch with 10-12 families of the congregation for the purpose of
general spiritual oversight.
- The Shepherding Program will be concerned with maintaining attendance
at worship and Sunday School.
- The Shepherding Program is intended to pass on to the pastor such
information as he may need to provide for the deeper spiritual needs
of the members of the congregation.
- The Shepherding Program will provide group leaders with the training
necessary for the fulfillment of their responsibilities.
- The Shepherding Program will be the responsibility of the Board of
Elders, together with the pastor, who will provide for its organization
and ongoing support.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The membership of St. Peter would be divided into groups
of 10-12 households. This could start with the total membership or a
pilot of 6-8 groups to get the program started.
Enough Shepherds would be enlisted in order to have one
Shepherd for each group. Ideally, these Shepherds would live in the
same area as their group.
Each Shepherd would be responsible for attending an orientation session.
This orientation would give the Shepherds an overview of the program
as well as some Biblical foundations.
In the first year, each Shepherd would visit every household in their
group. This would most likely be a get-acquainted visit, but Shepherds
should be aware and sensitive to the needs of their groups and communicate
these to the pastor, if the occasion calls for it.
As the Shepherds become acquainted with their groups, they should become
aware of their worship habits. If a member of the group is absent from
worship for an unknown reason, the Shepherd should telephone and express
the fact that they were missed at worship. Practical pointers for making
these calls will be covered in the orientation session for Shepherds.
As the Shepherds become acquainted with their groups, it is hoped that
the groups will meet at least once a year for the purpose of building
group identity and support. The occasion for the meetings may be set
by the Shepherd or reached by group consensus. Suggestions for group
meetings and their purpose will be covered in the orientation session
for Shepherds.
The Shepherding Program, as it grows in the life of a congregation,
presents many opportunities for expanded ministry among the members
of the congregation. The Shepherd Groups could possible become Bible
Study groups or groups organized for church or community projects. If
there is interest in deepening the role of the Shepherds in the program,
additional training in Christian Caregiving could be offered. Such training
would allow our Shepherds to offer spiritual care for the members of
the congregation.
Shepherding is a practical, organized way of expressing our care for
each other in the Body of Christ. It is my hope that the St. Peter Church
Council will recommend its use for our congregation.
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