It is not shepherds, but sheep that make more sheep. Shepherds care for them. It is the job of a pastor/teacher to equip, train and feed the flock. But as one of the sheep of God which he is too, he also must evangelize; and as an example to the flock he is to take the lead in evangelizing. But he cannot, and must not attempt to, do the evangelistic work of the congregation for them. He, as one man limited in time, space and energy, cannot be where they are with all of the opportunities that are afforded to each one of them alone. Indeed, as he serves as a teaching model of the evangelist and as he concentrates on helping to equip all of the saints for their work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11, 12) as God intended, ultimately more evangelistic activity will take place than he possibly could engage in on his own. In addition, the blessings of participation and personal growth for each member of the congregation that this will bring will be incalculable.
Dr. Jay E. Adams, Shepherding God’s Flock, pp.24-25
Very much agree. This is a problem with the Seeker-Sensitive Movement, where they try to dumb down the service so much that unbelievers will supposedly walk into the church and get evangelized by the pastor. The better approach is to equip the masses to evangelize.
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