Which One Are You - Part 2
Which One Are You?
A five part series. Part Two.
The Shepherd
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Leaders of a church will refer to this scripture to define their criteria. There are plenty more scriptures to define the role of the shepherd. And a strict set of standards they are.
The shepherd is in charge of caring for the flock until Jesus returns for His church.
The shepherd is in charge of feeding the sheep and growing their relationship with God through the Bible. This can be done through church attendance, service in church programs, counseling or individual discipleship.
The shepherd should never leave the sheep unattended to be cornered by wolves or left to the care of a hireling.
Some churches have a set of rules governing who governs, what rules are used for the governing and who else holds position in the church. The Bible should be used in the church as the set of rules to which the church is governed as well as how the pastor or preacher should lead.
I’ve been to a few churches where this is done extremely well and I’ve been to a few where this isn’t the case at all.
Jesus is The Good Shepherd. He has the ultimate care and responsibility for the flock of believers, those who believe on Him. And one day He will come back for His church and His sheep.
A pastor is not a hireling. The pastor is the one who has to get the job done right and he does so because he cares for the flock. The standards for the pastor are high, as they should be. He should be beyond reproach. Love should overrule pride. Humility over greed. Service above serve me.
The shepherd must guide the flock, feed the flock and correct the flock. Sheep like to wander. They are easily influenced by other sheep. And sheep taste good to wolves.
There are stories of the shepherds using their staff to break the sheep’s leg in order to prevent it from wondering. The shepherd would break the sheep’s leg, but then would care and nurse the sheep back to help - that sheep would never leave the shepherds side after that. All too often a poor shepherd would correct the sheep and leave the sheep to be taken by wolves. More and more of the flock were abandoned or disappeared.
When Jesus comes back for His church, He is going to hold the people He left in charge, responsible for the sheep’s care. I can’t imagine standing in front of God one day and having to answer to how the church was cared for. It’s hard enough being just a sheep.
Shepherds have a great deal of personal responsibility and weight to carry around. The churches I have gone to placed every single decision and thought on the pastors shoulders. Everything passed in front of the pastor at all times of the day and night. Some pastors never took a day off while some made it a point to tell what days they didn’t work.
Pastors have to be at the ready. They should be well-versed in the scriptures, well- educated in personal care and knowledgeable in all manners related to the church.
Unfortunately this isn’t always the case. We constantly see churches emptying, closing or selling off. Churches fail because Shepherd fail. As harsh as that sounds, it’s the reality.
Pastors start to shift focus on attendance and membership, programs and entertainment and finances. Their eyes are lifted from the care of the sheep and focus on the Lord to things of this world and pride. Before you know it, they look around and wonder where the sheep have gone.
Pastors that once had a zeal to serve the Lord, easily start to shift things to fit for their personal needs, lessen the importance of the flock and treat others with dissent. It becomes more of what can they do for me then what can we do for Jesus Christ.
Pastors and preachers are human and God knows this. They have an extremely difficult, yet rewarding position. As such, it should be treated as so. What a humbling position to know that you are the one that has been placed over the care of Gods sheep. Jesus died for the believer. He spilled His blood for us. The decision of who shepherds you should not be taken lightly.
Pray for your pastors. Ask them how you can help serve Gods church. And hold them accountable for caring for Gods people.
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Jeremiah 3:15
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”
Acts 20:28-29