Don’t Lose the Flock: The Secret to Sustainable Ministry.

This year, our fellowship is running with the powerful theme: "Raising Ministers, Not Members." It’s inspired by Ephesians 4, where Paul calls leaders to equip the saints for ministry—not just to fill pews or attend services, but to be active, ready, and empowered. 

Here in Mukundi village, Murang’a County, we use Swahili more and so the theme is: "Kukuza Watumishi, Sio Washirika Tu." Last Sunday, as we dug deeper into this theme, someone asked, "But why is this so critical?" The answer? Because shepherds have limits.  

Let’s be real: a pastor to a congregation is like a shepherd to a flock. And let’s not romanticize it—a shepherd CANNOT handle an endless number of sheep without things falling apart. Ever seen a shepherd trying to manage 200 goats? It’s chaos. Every day, a few disappear, and the shepherd just shrugs with vague explanations like:  

- "Mimi sielewi mkubwa. Hakuna mbuzi nimeuza."

- "Jana niliona wakikimbia lakini sikuona kitu. Nashuku labda mtu aliiba moja wao."

Sound familiar? In ministry, it’s the same story. Overstretched shepherds lose people—not because they’re lazy, but because no one person can oversee so many effectively. The solution? Raise more shepherds.

How to Raise Shepherds:  

1. Raise Them in Advance.

   Don’t wait for your fellowship to outgrow your capacity. Leaders aren’t born in a day. Today’s members are tomorrow’s ministers, so start now.

2. Raise Them Transparently.

   Be upfront. Tell them, “I’m equipping you to lead.” No cryptic moves or hidden agendas. Share the vision, and people will rise to the occasion.

3. Raise Them Continuously.

   Training is not a one-off event. Equip leaders to train others. Create a ripple effect. As Paul told Timothy: "Entrust what you’ve learned to reliable people who will also teach others." Avoid being the go-to person for every issue.

4. Raise Them to Replace You.

   Leadership isn’t about control; it’s about succession. Train leaders to take your place. Handover before you’re forced to by circumstances—or, as we like to say, “before God calls you to higher ground.”

The Leadership Limit:

Through research and experience, I’ve learned this: no minister should handle more than 10-15 congregants effectively. Below that, it’s slacking. Beyond that, it’s overreach—you’ll lose people, not intentionally, but inevitably.