Shepherd the Flock

For my part, I study to speak as plainly and movingly as I can (and next to my study to speak truly, these are my chief studies), and yet I frequently meet with those that have been my hearers eight or ten years, who know not whether Christ be God or man, and wonder when I tell them the history of His birth and life and death, as if they had never heard it before. And of those who know the nature of that faith, repentance and holiness, which it requireth, or, at least, who know their own hearts?…I have found by experience, that some ignorant persons, who have been so long unprofitable hearers, have got more knowledge and remorse of conscience in half an hour’s discourse, than the did from ten years’ public preaching. – Richard Baxter

There is no doubt that the preaching of God’s Word is a wonderful means to grace (when I say means to grace, I am simply saying that the preaching of God’s Word is a means by which the gospel is communicated to us, thus potentially filling our hearts with grace through it). Romans 10 so clearly identifies preaching as the means by which men hear and come to faith in Christ.

But preaching cannot be separated from the preacher, –which is why Peter instructs elders to shepherd, to not domineer over the flock in abusing authority, but teach and lead by example (1 Peter 5). Preaching without the character, life, example, and effort to live what you preach, is empty and devoid of any power. There is a reason why elders are to be completely ‘above reproach’; for reputation, history, and character are absolutely critical if God is ever going to use your message.

My concern today is this: we have preachers now days who believe that sound bites and podcasts can provide proper spiritual nourishment to the flock, as if it is the message itself –isolated from anything else– that is adequate to fulfill this spiritual need. They have caved-in to this culture’s definition of what a ‘pastor’ should be, in that their only responsibility to the flock is Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Thinking that the responsibility for spiritual growth lies most predominantly in the individual themselves, they tear the flock to pieces from the pulpit, neglect the more precious duties of personal shepherding, and stand in sheer amazement when the flock continues to spiral downward into spiritual despair. Thus, in part, I fear that it is this culture which has seriously wounded the principles put forth in scripture as to what the duty of the Shepherd truly is (and our seminaries are largely responsible for this as well –as if making it through seminary has anything to do with being a shepherd of God’s flock).

So considering these things, and how prevalent they are in the church today, I was looking over Paul’s example this week, and it would do well to share some of those thoughts here:

Paul, speaking to the Ephesian elders in Acts chapter 20:17-38, exemplified the office of an elder/shepherd in the following ways:

He was humble:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;” (V18-19).

He ‘rejoiced with those who rejoiced, and wept with those who wept’ (he was deeply intimate with the flock):
“serving the Lord with all humility and with tears”… “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again.” (V19; 36-38)

He held nothing back in regards to doctrine, and had no fear of himself being responsible for any kind of potential apostasy or error as a result of his leadership:
“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (V26-27)

His teaching and leadership was personal, intimate, thorough: he was in the homes of those he ministered to, and there was no fear of man that hindered his message:
“I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (V19-20).

Finally, it is clear from this passage that Paul was chiefly concerned about others, the flock, rather than his own well-being, schedule, personal agenda, etc.:
“I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (V24)

Much more could be gleaned from this passage; it is deeply rich with truth. But considering the theme of this blog, the age in what we live in, my personal studies and personal experiences as of late, I felt it appropriate to briefly recount how serious the call of leadership is to our Lord. Are you being faithful? You will give an account for those you shepherd –whether you be a pastor, a teacher, a professor, a father, or a husband.