Shepherding is one of the most challenging yet rewarding tasks among God’s people. Sheep are notably difficult animals that wander off without knowing where they are or where they are going. A shepherd must work hard to protect them from the most unsuspecting threats, from the water they drink to the food they eat to the most vicious of predators. Poisonous watering holes, bitter weeds, wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, and bears tend to thin out a flock quickly.
God describes His people as sheep and those who tend to them as shepherds. Spiritually speaking, the comparisons are amazing. Watching over God’s flock requires men to be aware of the dangers that exist, from what people consume to the deceivers who roam about seeking to destroy and devour.
As we discussed in the last article, shepherds must know the sheep, and the sheep must know their shepherds. It is one thing to know facts about the sheep (if they are sick, physical needs, activities, etc.), but it is completely different to know them. The intimacy of knowing someone requires time, effort, and vulnerability. This kind of intimacy begins with the shepherd, modeled for the sheep to provide a place of safety. Only then will the sheep be comfortable enough to open up and begin to share.
Additionally, shepherds carry the responsibility of protecting sheep. As a starting point, consider some of the dangers people face in our world today. To name a few: complacency, apathy, anxiety, discouragement, frustration, fatigue, etc. People are constantly bombarded with immoral, unethical, and spiritual confusion. Our young people are dealing with the promotion of the LGBTQ+ movement, racism, pornography, gambling, humanism at the highest level, evolutionary teachings, and a plethora of religious teachings that add to the confusion. To add a layer of complexity, shepherds must handle the challenges of sheep that can’t get along with each other. The problems of ego, pride, personality conflicts, opinions, and a general lack of love for one another continue to cause issues for shepherds.
Leaders must also learn how to handle the attacks from within and without. Who’s right? What’s right? Why? When? How? When shepherds become solely focused on decision-making, the ability to protect sheep is relegated to ensuring people hear a message from the pulpit that is sound to scripture. Avoiding close, intimate, personal relationships has caused more confusion for the church today. The questions confronting leaders strike at the core of their being, and the inability to provide biblical answers has caused more than a few to see the Bible as outdated and the church as a relic of past ritualistic practices. A recent text exchange revealed how one parent is trying to help a child and their spouse who claim “they don’t really know why they need the Lord.”
Satan has done a masterful job of diluting, confusing, and keeping people so busy that a relationship with God takes a back seat to everything else. He has destroyed the faith of many, especially a younger generation that has been left empty when learning God’s word. How can shepherds provide the kind of protection needed in a world that is seemingly against every fiber of spiritual health and well-being? Let us consider a few possibilities.
First, shepherding begins at the feet of the great Shepherd, Jesus. Prayer cannot be overstated. James writes about the power of a prayer fervently rendered to our God. In this context, he specifically identifies elders as those who are to be called when anyone is sick. Much debate has taken place related to the physical versus spiritual sickness discussed. Regardless of how you defend your thoughts on the matter, the main thrust of this text is about prayer and the power of prayer that can impact one who is suffering. James concludes by saying, “The fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (Jas. 5:16). The word fervent is the same word throughout James translated as “works.” The idea seems to indicate that the working prayer of a righteous man can achieve the desired intention. Of all the qualities I want from my shepherds, I want them to be men of deep, fervent, working prayer. When their relationship with the heavenly Father is secure, I know my relationship with them as shepherds will be secure.
Second, shepherds must be aware of what sheep are fighting in the world. Several areas have already been identified a few paragraphs back. As I get older, I see more and more how easy it is to be disconnected, even reclusive, from the world, world events, and activities, especially what the younger generation faces every day. It may be in the home, at school, on the job, or in the community. Shepherds, who tend to be older (by God’s design), can easily become isolated from the world. When this happens, they are challenged to help provide solid biblical answers for these challenges when they are asked. Take time with the sheep to learn about the battles they fight and focus on how to provide biblical answers to help them fight the good fight of faith. Pray with them and for them.
Third, shepherds must build closer relationships with the sheep. As mentioned earlier, knowing the sheep is critical to protecting the sheep. In our last article, I touched on several ideas related to these closer relationships: being in their homes, transparency, and intimacy. The key to remember is that it starts with the shepherd. Shepherds must take the first step in building these relationships. Before you expect to be invited into someone’s home, you must first invite them into your home. Here is where it all begins. Shepherds will do well to start by having sheep in their home for a meal. Spend time talking. Share your story and the journey you’ve taken through life to bring you where you are, good and bad. Then, ask them about their story. They may not share right away or all of the story, but if it starts with you, the chances are greater for a safe environment for others to share.
Fourth, shepherds must diligently pursue sheep that struggle and wander away. I’ve never known of a situation in the Bible where literal sheep went after other sheep that wandered off. Every time, it is the shepherd who left the 99 and went after the 1. Another interesting fact is the shepherd did not wait a few weeks or months to see if the sheep might wander back into the fold. Shepherds check their sheep every night. If one is not in the sheepfold, the shepherd goes looking. We understand this from a physical point of view, but we do not always see it practiced spiritually. Shepherds must not allow sheep to wander off. They need to check on them, see where they are struggling, and find ways to provide the assistance needed. Of course, this goes back to building closer relationships, which goes back to knowing the sheep, which goes back to praying for the sheep. It is a daily task.
So much more could be written on this subject, but these few ideas are foundational and fundamental to growing as a congregation if you desire to. Shepherds who lead God’s people need to seriously consider the relationship upon which they serve the sheep entrusted to their care. If you are a shepherd, as difficult as it is to do, there is nothing more powerful than seeing sheep who trust and listen to their shepherd’s voice. You will be surprised at the difference it makes in the congregation where you are blessed to serve.
