The Lighthouse Church Shepherding Ministry

If you are an existing shepherd, please click here.

If you have questions regarding our shepherding program, please send us an email at staff@thelighthousechurch.com.

What is the Shepherding Ministry?

The Shepherding Ministry provides a caring ministry for our church family.  The Shepherd does not take the place of the pastor, but comes along side the pastor to enhance his ministry by offering encouragement and support during the daily routines of life.  The Shepherd simply becomes a friend to the families for whom he or she is responsible.

Why do we need a Shepherding Ministry?

At some point in our lives, every church member needs at least some pastoral care.  Unfortunately, except in very small churches, pastors cannot meet the needs of every member in the church.

Members in an active church frequently feel reluctant to ask for their busy pastor's time, and continue to struggle with unmet needs.  This can breed disenchantment with the pastor and the church, sometimes resulting in a member who slowly "drifts away".

Experience has shown that lay members with only a moderate amount of instruction can do the ministry of caring, or shepherding.  With the appropriate training, lay members can be enabled to deal with the needs of most families.  With a shepherd ministry in place, many, perhaps every member of the church can receive active care.

What Scripture Says

Exodus 18:13-27: Moses served God as judge over God's people, and sat all day long each day to hear their problems.  "You will surely wear out...you cannot do it alone.  Select able men who fear God...as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens...it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you."  The principle applied here was that these God fearing lay people could do most of what Moses was doing, and it was God's will for Moses to be helped by them.

Ephesians 4:11-12: Here, Paul penned a crucial passage for the church.  "He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for ministry."  The Lord wants all Christians to discover their gifts and to be active in ministry.  The Lord does not intend for the pastor alone to do all the ministry.

What you can expect from your shepherd

After initial training, a Shepherd will serve as a representative of The Lighthouse Church to help care for those families assigned to his/her care.  The Shepherd will follow the Shepherd's P.A.C.E:

Prayer-pray daily for each member of his/her Flock Families.

Available-be available to each of his/her Flock Families in times of joy and crisis for support and encouragement.

Contact-contact each of his/her Flock Families once a month by mail, telephone, informal contact or home visit.

Example-be an example of God's love by giving faithful care to his/her Flock Families and a commitment to live a holy life.