Leadership

Can Shepherding Programs Work?

People “fall between the cracks”

Most of us in a congregation know that the minister (or ministers) cannot meet everyone's need for care. We sadly acknowledge that sometimes people "fall between the cracks" when they have a need and nobody in the church responds. We sense that we need a system that involves lay persons in care giving ministries. We believe that the care givers can benefit just as much as, if not more than, the persons receiving care. But a care giving system seems difficult to organize and even more difficult to maintain.

Many congregations have tried "shepherding programs." A shepherding program involves assigning a certain number of families (a "flock") to a care giving team of an elder and several deacons (the "shepherds"). The shepherds are responsible for tracking the attendance of persons in their flock and. making contact if they are absent from the worship service several weeks in a row. They also make contact in cases of  illness, death, crisis, or occasions to celebrate. Some flocks have homebound members visited regularly by the shepherds.

New people are assigned to a flock, which helps with their inclusion in the life of the congregation.

Shepherding Programs should work, but often don’t

This approach to a care giving system in the congregation makes sense. It should work. But too often only a few of the shepherds follow through with their ministries. The minister decides it is too much work to keep the system operating. The whole system breaks down. The flock lists become yellowed sheets of paper in some church file.

What makes Shepherding Programs work?

Can "shepherding programs" work? I interviewed ministers and lay persons in four congregations that have the reputation for effective shepherding programs. "How does your program work?" I asked. "What keys have you discovered for initiating the program and keeping it going?" Some factors that effective shepherding programs have in common:

The shepherding ministry is lay-driven

A lay person who has a passion for care-giving ministry gives oversight to the program. The pastor is involved, but is not the coordinator of the system.

Shepherds are people who feel called to care giving ministry

Shepherds are not nec­essarily elders and deacons, but are persons who want to be involved with care-giving ministry. They often have the spiritual gifts of mercy, compassion, nurturing.

Training in care giving skills is offered

Initial training is offered in basic care giving skills, such as listening. This training can be offered even before shepherds agree to serve. Potential shepherds can be invited to come to the training session and see whether this is a ministry for them. Sometimes people simply lack the confidence, which training provides.

A good system for communication, support, and ongoing training is important

Shepherds attend monthly meetings for prayer, re­porting, and further training. The pastor usually attends these sessions and gains valuable information con­cerning the congregation.

Shepherds have some choice in forming their group

Shepherds choose people with whom they have natural ties for their flocks. They choose people in their Sunday school class, fellow choir members, friends, etc. This division makes the shepherding         ministry easier for the shepherds to perform. Some homebound members and some newcomers to the church may need to be assigned to groups, but the shepherds always have input. Arbitrarily assigning the groups by geographical location of the members' homes does not seem to work as well.

Shepherds work with clear expectations

An example of a job description for shepherds:

Shepherds covenant to serve for a year

At the end of the year each shepherd is interviewed to get his or her evaluation of the program and to explore whether he or she wants to covenant again for another year of service. If a shepherd expresses the desire to do some other ministry in the church, the person is encouraged to pursue a new calling.

Shepherds are validated and appreciated

The care giving coordinator and the minister often express appreciation for the shepherds and highlight their ministries. Shepherds can be commissioned during a worship service. The leaders of   the church often state that when a member receives care from a shepherd, he or she is receiving the      ministry of the church. This reinforces the idea that the minister is not the only care-giver and validates the ministry of the lay shepherds.

Other Models

Congregations are using models other than the traditional shepherding program for mobilizing lay persons in care giving ministries. Other models include:

Care Teams

Some churches organize care teams, which are responsible for provid­ing a certain type of ministry, such as the Hospital Care Team, the Bereavement Care Team, the Celebra­tion Team (visits, calls, cards for new babies, marriages, anniversaries, etc.).

Small Groups

Many churches focus on small groups as the primary way people are brought into the church, discipled, and cared for. These small groups study, pray, and serve together. They naturally care for one another in the group. The small group leader provides intentional care, serving as a lay pastor for the group.

Shepherding Programs can also work

Which approach should a congregation take? A congregation needs to choose a model that fits their context and vision for the future.

The data gathered from the four congregations with effective shepherding programs indicates that the model of the shepherding program can work if lay leaders are wise and faithful in working the program.

Judy Turner wrote this when she was on staff of Homeland Ministries, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It was first published in VANGUARD, April/May/June, 1997. We are re-publishing it because it is still being requested.  You are free to use any resources on our site, but please donate to the work of Christview Ministries Center so that we can continue to produce such materials and make them available.