Is there a shepherd in the house?

WHAT YOU SAID: "Would you be willing to serve the congregation as a shepherd?" WHAT THEY HEARD: "How would you like to attend lots of meetings and belabor mundane decisions?" The disconnect betrays the fact that understanding and appreciating what it means to be the shepherd of a local fellowship is waning.

Doing church "American style" has devalued the role of the shepherd in favor of innovative visionaries, dynamic leaders, and charismatic speakers. I bucked this trend by leading a shepherdology retreat this weekend and here is a complete set of my notes on New Testament Shepherdology. It unpacks the ten primary NT passages where the nature, responsibilities, methods, and qualifications of local church shepherds are discussed in depth. You can't read through this biblical material without drawing a conclusion: When local church shepherds are not present or are failing to fulfill their biblical responsibilities, the spiritual welfare of the flock is jeopardized. When these assignments are faithfully carried out, church health and productivity are promoted.

At Collierville Bible Church, the responsibility of shepherding the flock is vested in men called "elders," a group that includes paid and lay pastors. But regardless of the form of church polity at your church and what you call your shepherds, you still need them. It is interesting that nowhere in the Bible does it require "lots of meetings and belabored decisions" from its shepherds. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with meetings. But the real work of such men is accomplished outside the board room and in positive engagement with people. If a conference table is used infrequently because shepherds are actively engaged with their flock promoting their spiritual welfare, that is a healthy neglect. Viva, less board meetings! Viva, shepherds who shep!

Comments

[pinky]

Shepherds who shep, what an awesome concept!
Men who truly are shepherding the flock, not just pointing out what is wrong with everyone like the bible gestapo.
Men who take the time and effort to get to develop a relationship with people before they pour on the critique!
Viva, shepherds who shep!

[Bo]

Wow! This puts church discipline into perspective. I'll bet most congregations don't know there is such a thing as church discipline. I’ll also wager that this pastor is and has executed church discipline. To up the ante, I’ll also bet he as the scars to prove it. I’ve been convicted to encourage my elders. It really is a spiritual battle all the time, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock.” Not only do shepherds guard themselves but an entire flock as well. How blessed are they? Only God can hold them accountable. It is so uncommon to find a pastor or minister who does what God says. I read somewhere that if we do not apply to our life what God’s word has taught us, we do not understand what God has said. Thanks for sharing what God has said about shepherds.