The Sheep Quiz – By John Telgren

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Bob Mathews

This past week, I spoke on the good shepherd from John 10 and discussed the sheep in that parable. I came across this article and thought it may be a fitting exercise to partake in. Hopefully, everyone will look at this and go through the questions with an honest and open heart. If the results show you to be a sheep, then keep pressing on. If they show otherwise, please don’t be disheartened or hardened by the news, but take it as an opportunity to start making changes for the better.

Scripture uses goats and wolves as analogies for what we are not to be, and sheep to describe what we are supposed to be. Ideally, we are to be sheep, not goats. Sheep follow the shepherd, goats do not. Wolves are out to fill their own egos often at the expense of sheep. With that in mind, reflect personally on these questions:

Are you a Goat, or do you have goatish attributes?

Do you agitate others in the flock?
Do others agitate you easily?
Do you always have to get to the root of every problem in the church?
Do you fight feelings of disagreement or resentment toward your shepherds (or those above you?)
Do you have trouble making it to every assembly?
Do you have problems listening to the word preached?
Do you find yourself constantly butting the system, trying to find your way out of the flock or just exempting yourself?
Do you have trouble when you are admonished or corrected by the shepherds (or other leaders)?

Are you a Wolf, or do you have wolfish attributes?

Do you have an inward drive to have a chief seat of high position in the church?
Do you find yourself bothered if you have to do what others in the flock are doing?
Are you drawn into strife and carnal things easily?
Have you been in trouble with church leadership and haven’t seemed to be able to work it out?
Do you have problems submitting to shepherds (or those above you)?
Are you trying to defame your shepherds or other leaders and draw others to follow your way of doing things?
Do you talk negatively about your shepherds or other leaders?
Have you become sly, sneaky, and deceitful in your attitudes and actions?
Do you gather security from other people who support your views?

Are you a Sheep, or do you have sheepish attributes?

Do you hate strife, malice, dissension, arguing and doctrinal debates?
Do you enjoy still waters – submitting to your shepherds (or those above you)?
Do you attend assemblies or gatherings at every opportunity?
Do you love to hear God’s word preached?
Do you hunger after truth from the Word?
Do you receive admonishing and correction from your shepherds (or leaders) easily?
Are you content where you are in the flock?

The Ideal Congregation (Pt. 5)

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Bob Mathews

The ideal congregation responds in a positive manner to the plans of its leadership, especially when a congregation is led by an appointed godly eldership. Christians were exhorted to “obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: For they watch for your souls, as they that must give account…” (Heb. 13:17). On the one hand, we must obey our elders both in matters of faith and matters of judgment as such concerns the work and well-being of the local congregation. On the other hand, may our elders have the courage and vision to plan the work of the congregation so that unity, truth, and the mission of the church are supported and fulfilled.

To achieve and maintain the above aspirations, we as members should establish and nurture a trusting, respectful relationship with our elders. The effort required to do so must be reciprocal, all parties making their best effort to work well together. Additionally, may we respond to leadership plans by seeking out an active role in the actual implementation of the work. If improvements are needed or desired in our cooperative efforts, may we employ well-timed constructive criticism whose only goal is to assist in improving our work. In this manner we will bring a greater measure of glory to both the Father and the church as we struggle together to do the work of the Lord.

The ideal congregation practices liberality in both attitude and action, especially as such relates to the planning, organization and implementation of individual or congregational spiritual labors. The apostle Paul, in commending liberality, encouraged the brethren in Corinth to sow bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6) and to “ lay by him in store as God hath prospered him“ (1 Cor. 16:2). He set before the congregation the sacrificial liberality of the Macedonians to motivate them unto similar action (2 Cor. 8:1-7).

Liberality may be rightfully exercised in contexts that may not involve financial interests and be equally important and impacting. May we as the people of God better learn the art of liberality in mercy (Col. 3:12) and compassion (Matt. 18:21-35), thereby relieving others’ affliction as prompted by a heart that is truly touched by their distress. May we better develop loving concern for all men (Rom. 13:8) so that we better imitate our heavenly Father (Eph. 5:1; John 3:16). May we exercise liberality in the commitment and use of both our time and our talents in the work of the Lord (Matt. 25:14-30). Such liberality is wisely exercised in all good works that the Father demands of us individually. In order to successfully attain the worthy goal of liberality, may we be as the Macedonians who first gave themselves unto the Lord (2 Cor. 8:5). Only then may we prosper as we never have before.

Our Responsibility to Know

Posted on October 7, 2020 by Bob Mathews

Too many times we see churches that are led away from the truth because they are willing to blindly follow the one who is leading them. We indeed need to have leaders in place so we can be effective and strong as God’s people. However, it is our responsibility, each member of the body of Christ, to know when those leaders are false teachers. It is easy for some to follow their leaders without question. After all, they assume that they have the position because they know what they doing and what they are to do. But think for a minute about the kings of old. In particular, think of Manasseh king of Judah.

Manasseh was only a boy when he became the king of Judah and he turned the people from all things godly (Isa. 9:16). Manasseh’s leadership carried the people away from God. He was young and did return to God later in his life but the position he had meant nothing as far as keeping the people on the path of God. Manasseh used his position to accomplish his own goals. The people willingly followed and in the end, were led away into captivity because of it. We cannot be like those people who are easily led away from God. It is our responsibility to know better because all the truth that is God has been revealed to us. We must know all of that truth so that we can follow God even if there is an absence of leaders or to know those that are qualified to shepherd God’s flock. All the answers we need are in the book that brings life, and if we desire to obtain that life we need to know that book so others can’t lead us into darkness with well-spoken words.

Jacob Saarloos

High Yield or High Risk Leadership

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Bob Mathews

We see some things differently in our perceptions of what elders are and do, so forth. But can we at least agree that the elder role is one of leadership for a congregation of God’s people in Christ? Is that really debatable? One of the most significant statements about spiritual leadership came from the heart of Jesus during the last few days of His life on earth. If it meant that much to Him, should it not mean something to us? I speak of the situation found in Matthew 20:20f., especially in vv. 24-28. I will make it easier for you by presenting the text:

²⁴And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. ²⁵But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. ²⁶Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. ²⁷And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— ²⁸just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

What do you make of that? These key figures in the kingdom of God on earth were yet to grasp the character of authentic spiritual leadership. Theirs was a worldly view of how to get the job done. Too often, so is ours. The Lord has little time remaining to teach about anything. But He cannot let this serious situation go unaddressed. So, Jesus pauses to correct their dangerous misunderstanding about how a spiritual leader is go about his work among the flock of God (in the near future, by the way).

Since I will soon leave this elder discussion, it is important to outline the huge difference between high yield and high risk leadership in the church. It is a very serious matter, and how we apply these things in our churches will have great impact upon whether we go forward, go nowhere, or go to pieces. Here is some of what I have. Add to it the fruit of your thinking and work in the Book.

HIGH YIELD SPIRITUAL LEADERS: men in leadership who can really help

Joseph – Genesis 39. A man of moral purity regardless of the cost.
Moses – a man of perseverance and tenacity. Endured a lot from the people. Handled disappointment and discouragement.
Isaiah – a man of reluctance but not rebellion. Did not feel capable but went with God’s plan. Jeremiah 1:6f.
Joshua – a man of vision. Sought it from the Lord and ran with it. Inspired courage and confidence in the face of great obstacles.
Elijah – a man of great courage in the face of evil. II Timothy 4 and Matthew 11 on that thought.
David – I Samuel 17. A man who could seize the moment, window. Also a man after God’s own heart – you can find that verse.
Nathan the prophet. II Samuel 12. A man who held other leaders accountable. See also Ezekiel along this line.
Nehemiah. Book of Nehemiah. A man with a vision for the work of the Lord. Also knew how to organize and delegate.
John the Baptist – a man of both great humility and bravery. Also never lost sight of his great mission.
John the apostle – a man who allowed the Lord to change him. Changed from “a son of thunder” to the apostle of love.
Barnabas – Acts 4:36. A man who encouraged others, including an apostle. Hebrews 3:12-14.
Gamaliel – Acts 5:33f. A man who was clear-headed in the midst of confusion and tension. Rose above the emotions of the moment.
A group of leaders who entrusted others to do a job then got out of the way. Acts 6:1f.
Paul – Acts 20:17-21. A man who would invest quality time in people.
- also a man who be a role model for me – I Thessalonians 2:10-12.
Peter – a man who learned from and in spite of his mistakes.
Timothy – a man who was teachable.
Titus – a man who would not fold under pressure. Acts 15 situation; Titus 1.

HIGH RISK SPIRITUAL LEADERS: men in leadership who can really hurt

Moses – the bottleneck leader. Deuteronomy 18. Wanted his finger on every single button.
Saul – the jealous leader. David was a large blessing to this king-leader but he was too small to appreciate the fact.
Absalom. II Samuel 15-18. King David’s son who just had to be in charge. He could not live in the shadow of another.
Ahithophel. II Samuel 16; Proverbs 11:13. The untrustworthy leader. Betrayed king David when he had his back turned.
Rehoboam. Solomon’s son who listened to bad advice. I Kings 12. The kingdom greatly suffered.
Herod the Great. Matthew 2. The leader who hurt others for selfish reasons.
Herod Antipas. Matthew 14. The impulsive leader. Spoke before he thought.
The Jewish hierarchy of Jesus’ day. John 9:34. Know-it-all leaders. Also these were crony leaders, all for one and one for all.
The hireling leader. John 10:12,13. The self-serving leader. A user.
Pilate. Matthew 27. The self-protecting leader. Pilate was a wheel-greaser, all at the expense of what was right.
Diotrephes. III John. The church bully. Also could not learn, ignoring even an apostle.
The sheriff leader. I Peter 5:3. Pulls rank, makes demands.
The covert leader. Decisions, plans are always secretive and open to only a handful. Does not respect or trust the people.

Again, these are merely profiles of how a spiritual leader can look. He can be either a high yield leader or a high risk leader. We know what the Lord has in mind for us, right? That is to be our great desire, for the glory of God and the good of the kingdom. A church may want to keep these thoughts in mind during its elder selection process.

robert

The Good Shepherd and Good Shepherding – 3

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Bob Mathews

Scripture describes an elder’s work as a multi-faceted ministry. It is basically set forth in terms of:

Shepherding – John 10; Luke 15; Acts 20; I Peter 5. See our cursory treatment of that aspect.
Modeling – I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
Equipping – Ephesians 4:11-15.
Overseeing – Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2

Let’s look at the aspect of MODELING (It really would help if you would open to the above texts on that now. I will wait.):

In the biblical record, nothing takes place in a vacuum. A context, whether or not it is articulated, always exists. Context often is the key to ascertaining the proper meaning and application of a text. Whereas, ignoring context can leave one short of a healthy understanding. (Example: Matthew 18:20. Is its context about church worship? No, it is about conflict resolution and the matter of reconciliation. Then why do we only apply it to worship? Not that it cannot be so applied, but that, in doing so, we fail to see the weight it carries in the reconciliation process. We miss its intended purpose. “But what does it matter?” It matters in that a context ignored often leads to a meaning being missed. Other than that, I suppose it doesn’t really matter.)

Similarly, in our typical approach to I Timothy 3 and Titus 1, we have shorted ourselves by simply airdropping right into those elder texts without respecting their broader contexts. It is not that we have necessarily mistaught them but that we may have mishandled them. In doing so, we may have both missed the big picture and created unnecessary problems for ourselves in the elder selection process. (And, yes, there also is mention of deacons but that is not my focus.) Let’s take a look at the background of I Timothy.

Since Paul was taking off to Macedonia (his fourth missionary trip), he instructed preacher-apprentice Timothy about how to help the Ephesian church with some renegade teachers – 1:2f. (Remember that Paul had worked in Ephesus for three years – Acts 18, 19. The apostle knew the existing elders in this church, and that some would become bad actors – Acts 20:17f., esp. vv. 29f.) Later realizing that he would not soon return, Paul paused to say some things to Timothy about both that church and the young preacher’s current ministry with them. (I am sure Timothy profusely thanked Paul for sending him into the mouth of the lion! He would have a real fight on his hands – 1:18. By the way, Titus ran into similar characters in his church situation. You can read that.) Anyway, that is how we got I Timothy and I Timothy 3.

Now, we are in I Timothy 3 and its words about elders. But I Timothy does not start with I Timothy 3! CONTEXT! What was going on with that church? First, look at the bad guys in the picture. How are they described?

1:3-4: they were into strange myths and wild speculations

1:5: they had serious integrity and character problems

1:6-7: they wanted to be teachers but were dumb as a brick about it.

4:1-5: they spoke doctrines of demons, were hypocrites and liars, of no conscience, legalistic.

6:3-5: they spoke doctrines not of Christ, were conceited, into controversy, were envious and divisive and evil and greedy.

In the midst of his multiple warnings about these bad guys, Paul calls upon Timothy to stay with what he had been taught about Jesus and to confront the troublemakers. Is it hard to doubt that some were the elders to whom Paul referred in Acts 20:28,29? Remember: the church was basically brand new, without much teaching, and without bibles! It is easy to see how a church could have ended up with a rascal as an elder or preacher. Ephesus had elders, including some bad elders. There is such a thing, you know. (How did they ever get in? Politics? Money? Family? Cronyism? Deceit? Or was it a case of breaking bad? It happens.) Mark it: good shepherding begins with good shepherd selection.

And those texts are not all Paul said to Timothy about how to deal with that dangerous mess. Remember, there is an entire church witnessing all the turmoil and confusion: a church comprised by many whom the apostle himself had brought to Jesus. There is much at stake here. So, the other line of defense against these threats to the church was chapter 3. How so? Well, had the church seen an abundance of good role models, godly leaders, loving shepherds, mature examples? Maybe not! So, Paul helps them (and Timothy) by doing two things:

Identifying the bad guys.
Identifying the good guys.

Paul’s emphasis in 1 Timothy 3 is upon modeling Christ in life.

That is what seems to be going on here. Paul is determined to help Timothy protect both himself and those whom Jesus already had saved – 4:16. How does the apostle go about it? Among other important things, he profiles and contrasts the bad guys and the good guys. Characteristics of both types are scattered through this letter to the young but manly preacher. Paul is drawing a picture of the bad and the good among and around that church. All Timothy has to do is lay it out for them: “Here is what the bad guys look like and here is what the good guys look like. You know these people! Now, church, you can clearly see who you can and cannot trust to be your elders. Some are bad models; some are good models. I will help you to see the difference. Some are living for Christ; some are living for the devil. Get the bad models out (often easier said than done) and get the good models in!” If not, why does Paul follow his words about elders and deacons with 3:14,15:

“I am writing these things to you (Timothy – rp), hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

It seems that the apostle is zeroed in on how elders, deacons, wives, preachers are to conduct themselves. There, again, is the emphasis upon modeling Christ in life. That seems to be the focus. You may have a better idea of it. But it seems to be how Paul sets it up for Timothy to help the church in Ephesus get things together. (We may as well note that Titus’ situation bears considerable similarity.)

Too often we have treated I Timothy 3 and Titus 1 as if they just fell out of the blue. “Here is the list. Let’s see what it means, check it off, then, get some elders.” Well, that may be okay but maybe not. For one thing, the “lists” are not the same. I hope you looked at the texts. So, which list is the correct or best, if lists they are? And who decides that? Furthermore, there are qualities to being an elder not mentioned in either “list.” How do we deal with that? Third, some have manipulated the “lists” into a pretzel in order to squeeze candidates either in or out. You think not? Fourth, and perhaps most significantly, we often define, debate, nitpick these “lists” to the point of tedium, often discouraging good men who could have helped the flock of God. (How many have heard the endless slicing and dicing of minute nuances?) All while missing the forest for the trees! Yes, I agree, those qualities noted in the “lists” have to mean something. But what is Paul’s plan in it all? Does context mean something only when we want it?

Make of it what you will. I think it is all about MODELING. (Things reproduce after their own kind, right?True also among the people of God.) The church in Ephesus is already trouble. They are sick from the head down! (Have you seen the Ephesians’ condition in Revelation 2? Did they ever figure it out? Did they ever heed Paul or Timothy about this elder thing?) I think Paul is anxious for Timothy to teach so that the church can easily identify the right kind of men to lead them in Jesus. His approach is to profile two types. He is asking the church to look and listen to who is around, and identify which type can show them how to go about their lives: domestically, socially, personally, emotionally, relationally, so forth. (By the way, this comes with age and experience. That is why an elder is called an elder. He has been to the rodeo.) MODELING is the focus here, as one aspect of an elder’s ministry. Seek out and pray for a man who can show “how to.” And remember: good shepherding begins with good shepherd selection.

The Good Shepherd and Good Shepherding – 2

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Bob Mathews

JOHN 10

⁷ So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰ A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.
¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. ¹³ This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep. ¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, ¹⁵ as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep.

As noticed in our first word on this, the thought of Jesus as shepherd flows out of the shepherding context of Israelite history and culture. Some of Israel’s earliest leaders were shepherds: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. And you may remember how impulsive Moses was transplanted from the palace to the pastures that he might learn how to care for people by taking care of sheep. David is a sheep-tender from the time we first meet him. He later will rule as God’s king-shepherd for 40 years.

For centuries to come, kings were considered to be shepherds over their nation-flocks. Some were good; too many were evil. You also can toss bad priests and prophets into that mix. Along with the king, it was their shepherding job to protect and feed and lead the people of God in the paths of righteousness and faithfulness. Their collective failure to do so is found in the accounts of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, so forth. Hear what Ezekiel preaches to these bad actors (chapter 34), noticing the stark contrast between bad shepherds and Jehovah, the good shepherd:

⁴ You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. ⁵ They were scattered for lack of a shepherd…
⁷ “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD. ⁸ As I live” — the declaration of the Lord GOD — “because My flock has become prey and food for every wild animal since they lack a shepherd, for My shepherds do not search for My flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than My flock, ⁹ therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!… I will rescue My flock from their mouths so that they will not be food for them…
¹¹ “For this is what the Lord GOD says: See, I Myself will search for My flock and look for them… I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a cloudy and dark day…¹⁶ “I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will shepherd them with justice.

So? So, if we hear the Lord speak of Himself in shepherding terminology then, we should not be surprised to hear Him do it later. The circumstances in the Israel of Jesus’ day were tragically similar to the state of things in Ezekiel’s day! Remember Matthew 9:36? Hence, we have the stark words of Christ in John 10 about thieves, strangers, hired hands, wolves…and the GOOD shepherd Who has come upon the scene to face them and free the sheep. (Keep in mind the context: Jesus has deliberately gone into the lion’s den of Jerusalem. Why? Well, for things such as this. It is only a matter of months before His enemies will try to permanently do away with Him. What does He do before that event? He heads straight toward the eye of the hurricane. So, expect tension and conflict to come out of His time in the chief city.)

Scripture speaks of elders primarily in terms of function, not position or structure or hierarchy.

So? So, in John 10, try not to envision an idyllic setting of contented sheep gently grazing around their smiling shepherd. Instead, think of the danger and confusion brought by mere pretenders. Then, hear Jesus announce Himself as the new sheriff in town. He has come to right the wrongs which had scattered the sheep away from their great shepherd-God, saying, “I AM the real deal, and you will know it by the way I treat you in contrast to these self servers. I know you. Trust Me. Follow Me. Listen to Me. I will neither use nor hurt you. These other guys are bad. There is nothing good about them. I am good. There is nothing bad about me. They led you astray. I will lead you to God. They lied. I will tell you the truth.”

Then, He goes about proving that out, to the point of the cross! (Not to mention the scorn and hate suffered in events leading up to that scene.) Very little that is mild and gentle about that! Rather, it is the shepherd-God in the flesh Who has interposed Himself into the reality of their times. His words are a statement of strength. Just as He had promised through Ezekiel centuries ago, Jehovah has come to set things right. He has come, not just to the world, but into our real worlds, to deal with whoever or whatever is hurting us. Here I AM, states Jesus, as both the Lamb and Shepherd God of Israel. Feature that! Would they grasp it all that day? No, nor perhaps do I to this day. But He is telling them and me about Who He is. He simply wants them and Me to trust that, and enjoy life more abundantly (10:10) because of it. Good shepherds bring safety and life to their sheep. It is what they do.

Perhaps John 10 is less a picture of sweet Jesus (Luke 15 may lean that way) than it is a strong Jesus. Sheep were weak and timid, but shepherds were anything but. They were strong and courageous. They had to be. The welfare of the sheep demanded it. The last thing a predator or thief wanted to face was a fearless shepherd in rescue of HIS sheep. (It is to this that Jesus refers in 10:15,17, is it not?) Let us keep in mind that the good Shepherd is more than good. He also is great, as in the great Shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20) whom even death could not destroy (another enemy He chose to face head on I Corinthians 15:25,26. By the way, when is death ever called a friend of the believer? Just asking. And I speak not of the Christian’s confidence in the face of death, so forth. I speak of what I asked.) Nothing gentle about the Lord’s locking horns with death, by the way. You may want to look at Hebrews 13:20 again. I think I will, again.

FOR THOUGHT (The general idea of it all, right?) What has this to do with good (or bad) shepherding, eldering? Only everything! You may want to ask yourself:

Which model do I want to imitate as an elder: Ezekiel 34 or John 10? Or, per John 10, do I treat God’s sheep as would a hired hand or a good shepherd?
What could be some of the perils (or people) from which a good elder will seek to save the sheep on his watch?
How did the Good shepherd describe his work – as one who served or one who supervised? (That a shepherd had authority, leadership is beyond question. But how he used his authority showed what kind of shepherd he was, right? And, by the way, an elder who feels he must constantly assert his power actually has little and deserves less. To be effective, he must rule by moral authority not fiat. Though God clearly has delegated authority to him (I Peter 5:2,3), he must not confuse that with lordship. He must continually earn followership by the way he handles leadership. Once again, eldering is defined more by practice than position. More on that later, perhaps.)
Do you think Jesus looked at His shepherding position as being primarily relational or organizational? We are so feverish about being “scripturally organized.” I know what we say and mean, but, again, scripture speaks of this elder thing primarily in terms of function, not position or structure. Look again at the concepts of shepherding, modeling, equipping, and overseeing (which we are yet to examine), so forth.
Along with that, where do you suppose the Good shepherd would have placed His title/name on one of our well-intended but often ill-designed church organizational flow charts: top or bottom? Yes, yes, He indeed is the Head of the church, has all authority, etc.(Colossians 1:18), but did He ever talk about how He chooses to exercise that inherent power? Do you think Mark 10:43-45 is instructive about this?
Would the Good shepherd trust you with His sheep? Complete the following: “Jesus can trust me with His sheep because…”

What else is here that would help with good shepherding? More, for sure. Always is when Jesus is the discussion.

robert

The Good Shepherd and Good Shepherding

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Bob Mathews

JOHN 10 (The Good shepherd’s words about Himself)

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. ¹³ This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep… ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, ¹⁵ as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep…²⁷ My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.

(LUKE 15:3 So He told them this parable: ⁴ “What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? ⁵ When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, ⁶ and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!'”)

ACTS 20 (Paul’s warning words to the Ephesian elders)

²⁸ Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God,8 which He purchased with His own blood. ²⁹ I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them. ³¹ Therefore be on the alert…

I PETER 5 (Peter speaks AS an elder TO elders)

¹ Therefore, as a fellow elder…I exhort the elders among you: ² Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;2 not for the money but eagerly; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Shepherding is as old as dirt. Both Old Testament shepherding texts and contemporary shepherding form the context of the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd is the context of New Testament church-shepherding. All of that is the context for church-shepherding in our times. To our detriment, this concept is too often minimized in both elder selection and eldering itself. (Neither I Timothy 3 nor Titus 1 deal with it, so neither do we. Go figure.) Regardless, both the church and prospective elders should desire to know what shepherding means.

In scripture, the shepherd metaphor is no mere side issue, appearing more than 500 times…It is the dominant model for spiritual leadership.

If we want to know what it means, we need to know what it is. In scripture, the shepherd metaphor is no mere side issue. It shows up more than 500 times. In the Old Testament, Jehovah speaks of Himself as the Shepherd of His people. Israel’s leaders are called shepherds (and false shepherds). And, of course, Jesus self-describes Himself in shepherd terms. It is the DOMINANT model for spiritual leadership. Without it, I may supervise but will I serve? I may take care of money but will I take care of people? Will I focus on being over or with people? Huge difference!

Certain things are always true about good shepherds:

They are NEAR the sheep. As much as possible, you want to be near the ones you love. No long distance shepherding. No Skype. No deliberate distancing akin to a corporate board. The shepherd is hands on – right there, all the time. Therefore, the sheep trust him. It is not an organizational but a relational thing. God’s people are no different. Time and closeness are signals that an elder really cares about the people whom God has entrusted to him. It also is the best way to detect any sickness, injury, or wandering away. Indeed, we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. That is why an elder must get behind closed doors! A good shepherd will be NEAR the sheep.
They are FOR the sheep. Sheep are skittish. Having many natural enemies, they are easily scared. But the shepherd will never hurt or misuse them. Beyond that, he will stand between his sheep and danger, to the point of death. He is their protector. Furthermore, he nurtures and tends to the weak and the wounded. That is not just a Sunday job. Nor can it be done from a church office. No sheep is ignored, minimized, or lost in the shuffle. On a church organizational chart, a good shepherd-elder’s name will be at the bottom as a servant, not at the top as a superior. Think on that. A good shepherd will be FOR the sheep.
They are AHEAD OF the sheep. That is Psalm 23, is it not? Read it in light of our focus. By nature, sheep are followers. They just assume the shepherd knows the best paths of protection and provision. As a good shepherd, an elder guides the people of God with sound judgment and clear biblical insight. Sheep cannot lead a shepherd. Likewise, the sheep of the Lord should not have to lead an elder. He knows the way to pray, think, walk by faith, study the Book, serve, love and conduct himself. These qualities are his right to lead fellow believers through the wilderness to the land of promise. He is no spiritual or emotional light weight. His leadership does not have to be constantly announced, but is cemented by what the Lord’s sheep see, hear, and feel. On that basis, the flock in his care readily follows. A good shepherd will be AHEAD OF the sheep.