Why is it a good thing that pastors oversee their flock as God’s instruments of grace upon the congregation? Why should a pastor take heed of each individual member of the church in regards to their spiritual maturity? Why spend as much time in personal preaching as to public preaching?
Motives for Oversight of Flock (a sampling):
1. It could be a hopeful means of the conversion of their souls – one must not assume that everyone in his flock are saved for many may yet to be created anew by the Holy Spirit
2. It is essential for the building up of the already converted – meeting with those in the flock for oversight will assist them in establishing their faith in Christ
3. It will make the pastor’s public preaching better understood and applied – private preaching gives another opportunity to shepherd the flock with the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit
4. It gives the shepherd an opportunity to become familiar with his people and to win their affection – with distance and unacquaintedness many in the flock may be less motivated to come to public preaching with open ears, minds and hearts
5. It helps the pastor become more acquainted with the flock’s spiritual state and maturity – how shall pastors watch over their people if they do not know their people – their struggles, their sins and their victories?
Motives for Oversight of Flock (a sampling):
1. It could be a hopeful means of the conversion of their souls – one must not assume that everyone in his flock are saved for many may yet to be created anew by the Holy Spirit
2. It is essential for the building up of the already converted – meeting with those in the flock for oversight will assist them in establishing their faith in Christ
3. It will make the pastor’s public preaching better understood and applied – private preaching gives another opportunity to shepherd the flock with the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit
4. It gives the shepherd an opportunity to become familiar with his people and to win their affection – with distance and unacquaintedness many in the flock may be less motivated to come to public preaching with open ears, minds and hearts
5. It helps the pastor become more acquainted with the flock’s spiritual state and maturity – how shall pastors watch over their people if they do not know their people – their struggles, their sins and their victories?
May each pastor not “let men perish lest he lose their love, and let them go quietly to hell, lest he should make them angry with [him] for seeking their salvation” (192).
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