Shepherding the Strays: A Pastoral Call to Pursue the Wandering

Opening Story

I once heard of a shepherd in the Middle East who, upon realizing one of his sheep had wandered off, left his flock in the care of another and set out into the night. The terrain was rocky, the air cold, and the path uncertain. But he searched until he found that sheep—tired, frightened, and tangled in thorns. He lifted it onto his shoulders and carried it home. That image is not just a pastoral metaphor—it is the very heart of Christ’s ministry, and it must be the heart of ours.

The Biblical Mandate

Jesus Himself declared in Luke 15 that the Good Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to seek the one who is lost. This is not a suggestion—it is a model for ministry. The Apostle James echoes this in James 5:19–20, urging believers to restore those who wander from the truth, knowing that such restoration saves a soul from death.

As pastors, elders, and church leaders, our calling is not merely to preach to the gathered but to pursue the scattered.

In Ezekiel 34, God condemns the leaders of Israel for failing to care for His flock and promises to take on the role of the shepherd Himself: "For this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out." (Ezekiel 34:11).

The heart of Jesus is that every person who has strayed from Christ will be valued, noticed and pursued.

Why the Strays Matter

They Bear God’s Image – Every wandering soul is precious to the Lord.

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?" (Luke 15:4). This parable highlights the shepherd's unwavering commitment to each individual sheep, reflecting God's personal and persistent love for every believer. The shepherd's willingness to leave the ninety-nine to find the one underscores the value placed on each soul.

They Are Vulnerable – Strays are exposed to spiritual predators, false teaching, and discouragement.

They Are Part of the Body – When one member suffers or strays, the whole body feels the loss.

Practical Steps for Pursuing the Strays

Identify the Missing

Keep accurate membership rolls and attendance records.

Train leaders to notice absence patterns and follow up quickly.

Go Personally

A phone call is good; a visit is better.

Show up not to scold, but to listen, understand, and care.

Ask Heart-Level Questions

“How have you been spiritually?”

“What has been weighing on you lately?”

“How can I walk with you through this season?”

Gently Apply the Word

Remind them of God’s promises and the hope of the gospel.

Address sin with truth and grace, never with condemnation alone.

Involve the Church Family

Encourage members to reach out in love.

Create a culture where absence is noticed and care is natural.

Addressing Common Challenges

Fear of Rejection: Some will resist your pursuit. Remember, obedience is our responsibility; results belong to God.

Time Constraints: Shepherding strays is time-consuming, but it is central to pastoral work.

Emotional Weight: Carry these burdens to the Lord in prayer, and share them with trusted fellow elders.

The Heart of the Shepherd

Pursuing the strays is not about boosting attendance or protecting reputation—it’s about reflecting the relentless love of Christ. He came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). When we go after the wandering, we are walking in His footsteps.

Closing Challenge

Brothers, let us not be content with full pews if there are empty hearts. Let us not rest while even one sheep is missing from the fold. May our ministry be marked by the dusty sandals of those who go out, the tear-stained prayers of those who plead for the lost, and the joyful celebrations of those who welcome the wanderer home.

Delivery Tip:

When delivering this message, pause after the opening story to let the imagery sink in. Use a warm, compassionate tone—this is a call to love, not a lecture. Consider showing a simple visual of a shepherd carrying a sheep to reinforce the theme.

If you’d like, I can also prepare a shorter, rally-style version of this speech that you could use to inspire your elders or ministry team before a visitation night. Would you like me to create that?