John 10:3

Title: He calls his own sheep by name

Note: Most churches in America are small. Fifty percent of churches average fewer than 75 attendees on any given Sunday and only 5 percent attract more than 350. A century ago, in 1890, the average Protestant church had only 91.5 members; in 1776, the average Methodist congregation had 75.7 members.

Do local congregations have to be small? Yes. I think that was the plan, so that the pastor could call each one by name, and wash everyone’s feet, meaning, serve each person individually.

We have to understand the wisdom here, in the light of the shepherd to sheep ratio, which is determined by the ability of the former to give individual care and attention to the flock.

Outside this personal attention and care by the leader, not by those who assist him, a person is really an outsider in a family of believers.