All of our life we’ve been taught that a Pastor is a shepherd. What if, we’ve actually been called to be a rancher? A shepherd is responsible for their flock, but how much flock can one man take care of? A rancher is responsible for 100’s if not 1000’s of acres with multiple herds of different animals. They oversee shepherds, herdsman, accountants, etc… all of which are necessary for the ranch to maintain and grow. What do you call a shepherd of shepherds? A rancher. The question is, can you handle being the one who isn’t getting their hands dirty? Do you have to be the one who knows the name of every sheep, every calf, or can you grab a hold of the simple principle that the goal of ministry is to give it away. Pastoring has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with serving people. The best way, and most mature way, to do that is by multiplying yourself.
Acts 6:1-7 (NLT)
But as the believers[a] rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” 5 Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. 7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.