Should Small-Group Leaders Be Considered Pastors?

Let's get some discussion started!

by Amy Jackson

I've been learning a lot about the history of pastoral care lately. The idea was to walk with another person into their pain and suffering, praying, asking questions, and helping make sense of next steps. While some churches still have pastors dedicated to this important ministry, I have a feeling that this ministry is happening more in small groups than anywhere else. Small-group leaders are the ones to learn about members' struggles, pains, and hardships, and many times they are the ones that comfort, guide, and encourage along the way. This compassionate care brings to mind the image of shepherd in the Bible, the very word that is at the root of "pastor."

So, should small-group leaders be thought of as pastors? Should they be identified as called-out shepherds of God's flock—even if the flock is only 6-12 people?

What are your thoughts? We'd love to hear them. Share with us below.

posted by Amy Jackson on February 7, 2012 10:25 AM

Comments

I have been wondering this for a while. As I pastor I have been struggling with the seemingly contradictory (not sure if that's true?) roles of pastor as disciple maker and pastor as shepherd.

Let's try again...
small group leaders are pastors if they ACT on the information they gain about group members by providing care and encouragement to them.

no, I love small group leading. I am not a pastor. That's a higher calling, different set of skills, education, and even heart. I would do what I could for a member in need, but would know my limits and when to refer.

We need to look carefully at our definition of pastor. Giving care to another always involves knowing when we are in over our heads and making referrals. To assume that the training and calling of one person more readily prepares one for a caring attitude than another ignores what Jesus asks of us. "Love one another as I have loved you."

Yes I think that Small Group leaders should consider themselves Pastors. They need to think like a pastor (shepherd), they need to hold themselves accountable as a “real” pastor would (lifestyle) and most importantly they need to seek after God in a pastoral mindset (disciple). Now you can put them in any order you want but at the end of the day as a small group leader there is a level of care and responsibility you need to take on as your call of leader. Others around you may or may not consider you pastor but that’s ok your true mindset needs to focus on how God wants you to lead. Good luck to us all it’s not easy but there is nothing better.

Absolutely. In fact all believers are pastors, only in different levels. The small group leader assumes the role of a shepherd along with many other roles. He needs to ensure that pastoral care is given to every member, adherent, and contact assigned to him. He doesn't have to nurture everyone by himself, but he needs to ensure that a chain of nurture is taking place inside his group. He needs to be sensitive to the different needs of his members and seek to build relationship with the people connected to them during special occasions and crisis moments. Small group leaders can be identified as called-out shepherds only in a smaller scale.

Jesus' great commission was for all of us to go and make disciples. Yes, we should all model ourselves after the "High Priest," but we are not able make "propitiation for the sins of the people," but nither are we all called to be Pastors. Certian denominations believe that women cannot be called to this role, but does that mean they are unable to disciple a group? Shepherding terms may fuzzy the line; doesn't the Bible make a clear deliniation?

Small group leaders should think of themselves as pastors. This is the beginning of acting like a pastor, and as mentioned above a pastor is a shepherd. However, whether or not they are given that title would seem to be entirely up to the church family leadership. Call them 'chief stall shoveling fools' or pastors or something in between, but above all they must serve up the truth with love aka tend those sheep!