Life in the Pasture Before the Pulpit

The testimony of many “celebrity pastors” is they woke up one day and felt called and within months were preaching before thousands of people; or maybe that’s just what we assume. Either way, it is true that there is a pasture before the pulpit, a time in which they were being prepared and equipped to do the work God has called them to do before being handed the keys. This time in the pasture is not in front of thousands of people, or even hundreds, but it is in the field where one is still called to pastor regardless of whether its pastoring people or sheep, pastoring with a title or not, pastoring in the local church or in the marketplace. This is the story of every pastor. This is the story of David, who was told he’d be King, yet stayed a lowly shepherd for years before what was revealed was fully made manifest.

As we acknowledge the truth that there are those who are in the pasture as they pursue the pulpit, how do we as the local church steward the pastures and those who are in it.

1. Elders, Give Them Responsibility in the Pasture, but as a Pastor

Unfortunately, when that call of pastoral ministry is revealed to a young person, they are handled much differently than their older counterparts. Many churches see the potential of their young people, but if that potential is for the pulpit or any office that has much exposure; church leaders are often hesitant to hand major responsibility over to those young aspiring leaders. Young people are viewed as having too much drama and too many problems, and it is believed the volatility of their problems could hurt the reputation of the church. The reality is that many of the elders and church leaders have similar struggles; and yet their public issues have not single handedly destroyed the local church. Young people with visible struggles are too often held back from responsibility and leadership positions; while many lead pastors have learned to hide their problems behind the pulpit.

So, what then do church leaders do with these young people with potential for the pulpit? I am not denying that these young adults are still maturing and growing roots that will be foundational for their ministerial call, but this is not grounds to withhold pastoral opportunity from them. In fact, it is not withholding opportunity that allows room for a young aspiring pastor to grow into maturity, but the opportunity itself is the space in which such a person is thrust into maturity. Yet again, responsibility is often withheld from the young aspiring church leader, sometimes with seemingly good intentions.

An elder may believe that the young person needs time to grow, and that the responsibility of church leadership is too much to bear while a young person pursues holiness. However, the pursuit of God and His will for His Church can never be a hinderance to a believer’s sanctification and pursuit of righteousness. If anything, they can only stumble into obedience to God’s will for a Christian lifestyle, because the work demands it.

A good friend of mine, Pastor Taylor Drenzyk, wrote on the topic of mobilizing and valuing young adults in our churches. He says, “good discipleship isn’t enough — young adults need to be released. They need to be equipped and empowered to do something. A good discipling relationship builds a passionate Christian whose engine is humming and ready to go. Release them, even if they’re only 80% of the way there.”

2. Future Church Leader, Steward your Giftedness in the Pasture

A young aspiring pastor should not wait for a position or a title, to walk in their calling. I’ve been told that doing campus ministry, doing theology, and writing a blog is what millennials do to “make it happen” in a “photoshop society.” I beg to differ, I believe it is being a good steward of the gifts God has placed in you to use today, not 25 to 50 years from now when God gives you the permission to step into the pulpit.

Stewarding your giftedness by using it in a season of preparation does not cheapen your Kingdom work. You’re not a “wanna-be,” you’re a valued citizen of the Kingdom that God wants to use now. Don’t ever be ashamed or discouraged to use your gifts to fulfill the Great Commission, even as God prepares you for more responsibility. There are people in your life that need you to walk in your calling now. Souls are at stake. The pulpit or the title of pastor should not be your focus, the true calling should be your focus, your role in the Great Commission.

Be careful what you’re pursuing, if you are truly called to shepherd people, then no matter where you are or what your title is you will find a way to lead people towards a right relationship with God. No one has ever needed to be a pastor (in the traditional sense) in order to do that. Yet, there is a legitimate desire to lead the direction, vision, and operations of a local church, but until then allow God to equip you for greater. There may be ideological differences in the church leadership that provides a hinderance to your ultimate call to the pastorate, but remember exaltation and promotion do not come from the east nor the west, but from God (Psalm 75:6–7).

Your time in the pasture can feel lonely and even lowly, but know it is how Jesus spent 30 years of His life. His divine power revealed through miracles, or His eloquence revealed in His teaching did not make Him a pastor, but it was His care for the people, the local church, and the Scriptures that revealed Him as the Good Shepherd. A characteristic that we see in Jesus at age 12, in other words, His time in the pasture (Luke 2:41–51). That passage in Luke is sandwiched between two verses that I believe is the epitome of life in the pasture before the pulpit:

“The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” — Luke 2:40

“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” — Luke 2:52

Young man, practice patience and count it all joy in the middle of the pasture, because God is molding you into the follower of Jesus, the under-shepherd He desires you to become. Don’t lose heart there is much work to be done today.