Shepherds Bear Shepherds

Shepherds Bear Shepherds

The day after father’s day 2005, my maternal grandfather, Rev. D.G. Council passed away. He was preceded in death by my paternal grandfather, Rev. Harold Ward in 1982.

Both of these men were ordained pastors. Both pastored churches in rural areas of Texas. Both were successful in growing their churches to over 400. Both were extremely missions minded and led their churches to generous missions programs. Both had children who followed them in ministry. Both had grandchildren and now great grandchildren who are following them in ministry.

After watching the phenomenon of generational pastors my dad coined a phrase, “Shepherds bear shepherds.”

I was only 14 in 1982 and did not participate in my grandfather Ward’s funeral. (Other than commanding a Royal Ranger Color Guard) However, having been in ministry for 20 years, I was invited to represent the family during the funeral of my grandfather Council.

I shared personal and family memories with the crowd of hundreds gathered at First Assembly in the rural community of Kaufman, Texas where he pastored over 50 years. It was obvious that he had impacted the lives of many people. Included in the crowd were scores of pastors, missionaries, and other ministers. I asked for the ministers present that day who had filled my grandfather’s pulpit to please stand. Dozens’ of men and women stood across the building. I then shared my grandfather’s philosophy of ministry. He believed in having an open pulpit to men and women who were learning ministry. Numerous bible college students preached their first or one of their first sermons in that pulpit. His youth pastors and associate pastors through the years were given the Sunday night service every week to learn and gain experience in pulpit ministry.

My grandfather Ward had the same philosophy. He pastored 39 years in Lufkin, Texas. His pulpit was open to Bible College and Berean students and other young ministers.

When I began traveling as a missionary, I called a pastor in Oklahoma to see if he had an evangelist quarters I could stay in on a trip from Texas to Springfield. He shared this with me, “When I was a young minister your grandfather allowed me to fill his pulpit many times. We also knew that if we were traveling anywhere close to Lufkin, we could contact your grandfather and he would give us a place to stay. We knew he would also take us for at least a hamburger and sometimes a steak dinner.” He went on to explain that he owed my grandfather a debt he could not repay to him because of his untimely death. However, anytime I was coming through he would provide for me a hotel room and a meal in order to pay my grandfather back through me.

I believe the generational philosophy of these men went beyond family ties. Not only did these men bear physical shepherds through 3 generations, but spiritual sons and daughters into the ministry.

As pastors today we have an opportunity to participate in the incredible ministry of bearing shepherds...spiritual sons and daughters. It is risky to allow young men and women who are learning and developing to fill your pulpit. It takes time and resources to be available to young ministers. I believe however, the rewards far outweigh the risks and investments.

Recently I was visiting with a veteran missionary friend who had never met my grandfather Council. I related a story about my grandfathers dealings with an associate pastor several decades ago. As I shared the story, the face of this four term missionary to Africa brightened. He snapped his finger and said, “That’s where he learned it!” He explained that he had worked as a young associate under the man who had been my grandfather’s associate. The things I shared with him about my grandfather were the same things that his pastor had shared with him years later. Unknowingly we both shared the same “spiritual grandfather.” The generational impact of bearing shepherds went beyond physical through the Spirit. The effects of paying forward now stretch not only over the United States, but foreign lands as well.

Our universities and churches are full of young men and women who will only gain experience with the help of pastors and churches who see the ministry opportunity available to host these young people in their churches.

As a young man I recall the high praise and encouragement of dear saints who had just endured my stumbling, fumbling, and stuttering through a message. Today as Alisa and I stand in pulpits across America and share the ministry of Rural Compassion to compel support and prayer for U.S. Missions, those pastors and individuals stand with us. As we distribute shoes, clothes, food, and other supplies to needy families we are the hands of those pastors and dear saints extended.