Sheep Power or Sheepish Behavior

We need shepherds who shep. But we also need sheep who know the difference between being good sheep and bad sheep. If you have downloaded the notes on Shepherdology, you will notice on page 20 a compilation of what the New Testament outlines for good sheep. Here are the key passages:

• But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another (1 Thess. 5:12-13).
• The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching (1 Tim. 5:17).
• Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith (Heb. 13:7).
• Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you (Heb. 13:17).

There may come an occasion when a shepherd crosses the line. That's when 1 Tim. 5:20-22 comes into play - a shepherd in sin should be publicly rebuked and privately restored. But the passages above outline the DEFAULT response of sheep. So unless a shepherd is involved in sin, here is what God expects of sheep toward their shepherds:

1. Appreciate them - Find ways (both in words and deeds) to register your gratefulness for specific ways in which their shepherding has promoted your good.
2. Esteem them very highly in love / consider them worthy of honor - View their ministry as a great asset. Take every opportunity to receive the benefit of their instruction and guidance.
3. Imitate their faith - Discover what makes their faith tick. Study their example. Export principles for living from their life to yours.
4. Obey them - On those occasions when they feel compelled to issue a directive, take it seriously. They wouldn't do this, if they didn't feel it necessary.
5. Submit to them - And don't just comply with a directive while maintaining a grumbling spirit. Take what they say to heart and follow through with a happy spirit.
6. Let them lead you with joy and not with grief - It is possible for sheep to make a shepherd's life pure misery. But sheep can also make a shepherd's life PURE JOY! How? By responding to God with passion and consistency. When I see people in my flock going all out for God, it puts the bounce in my bungee. That's when ministry is FUN!

Did you catch the last sentence in Heb. 13:17?  When sheep adopt this default position toward their shepherds, they actually promote their own good. There are far too many tales out there of sheep who bite. When they do, they make shepherding a pain and thereby diminish their own prospects for progress in the faith. Do yourself a favor. Find ways to use the six antidotes above; Use your sheep powers to transform the service of your spiritual leaders into something that gives them great joy. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes in your own walk with God!

Comments

[RF]

It's amazing that so many sheep are in "critique mode" when it comes to their pastors. Many times sheep are using all the wrong criteria to evaluate God's servants. Many ask, is my pastor charismatic, my friend, a great counselor, a dynamic communicator, have a "with-it" appearance, a good story teller; is he available to me 24/7, likeable, etc.... In essence, often the flock expects one man to have all that Jesus Himself has. That is an unrealistic expectation. No one man has it all. Only Jesus has it all. Now wonder good men are leaving the ministry every day.

In a time when truth is so difficult to come by, you would think that sheep would be interested in faithful, holy men who teach God's truth clearly and whose lives reflect seasoned obedience and authenticity. I, for one, am so grateful that God has provided me with such a shepherd, one who is interested in hearing God's voice, obeying His leading, and leaving clear footprints for me to follow.

[Bo]

Amen!

[Lily]

Dear Pastor Jim,
I downloaded the notes on shepherdology. These notes really need to be put in book form! What great material! I have never seen such a thorough, well-written, practical set of notes on this topic. Does your church actually practice what's in the notes? If so,I'm truly inspired. May God's blessings be heaped upon you!

[Jeff]

I'm struggling with this right now, more because of what I'm anticipating as preparation than because of what is already in place.

[ms]

Yes, Lily, there really IS a Pastor Jim who leads us as a true shepherd. We are blessed with confidence in his teaching and in his example. We pray for him and his family daily, because we know this is not an easy task.
In the past, I thought shepherding was a matter of economics - you take care of your flock because you want the wool and the meat. During that dark time, I did not understand the 23rd Psalm. Now I do.