Spiritual shepherding is one of the most challenging yet rewarding tasks. Sheep are notably difficult animals that can only see directly in front of them and tend to wander off without knowing where they are or where they are going. Shepherds must work hard to protect them from unsuspecting threats, from the water to food to the most vicious of predators. Poisonous watering holes, bitter weeds, and wolves can 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.
In the last article, we discussed the necessity of shepherds knowing the sheep and sheep knowing their shepherds. However, in addition to knowing the sheep, shepherds carry the responsibility of protecting sheep. Consider some of the dangers in our world today: complacency, apathy, anxiety, discouragement, frustration, fatigue, etc. People are bombarded with immoral, unethical, and spiritual challenges. Young people deal with the promotion of the LGBTQ+ movement, racism, pornography, gambling, the highest level of humanism, evolutionary teaching, and a plethora of religious teachings that add to the confusion. To add a layer of complexity, shepherds must also handle the challenges of sheep that can’t get along with each other. Ego, pride, personality conflicts, opinions, and a general lack of love for one another continue to cause issues.
Leaders must handle attacks from within and without. Who’s right? What’s right? Why? When? How? When shepherds are solely focused on making decisions, the ability to protect sheep is relegated to ensuring people hear a message from the pulpit that is scripturally healthy. The avoidance of close, intimate, personal relationships has created problems for the church today. The questions confronting leaders, and the inability to provide biblical answers, has left many wondering if the Bible is outdated and the church a relic of past ritualistic practices. Many young people 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 left empty when learning scripture. How can shepherds provide the kind of protection needed in a world seemingly against every fiber of spiritual health and wellbeing?
First, shepherding begins at the feet of the great Shepherd, Jesus. James writes about the power of a fervent prayer. He identifies elders as those who are to be called when someone is sick. Much debate has occurred related to physical versus spiritual sickness. Regardless of where you land, the main thrust of the 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 translated fervent is the same word translated throughout James as “works.” The idea indicates 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 fight in the world. Several areas have been identified. As I get older, I see how easy it is to be disconnected, even reclusive from the world, world events, and activities, especially what a 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 asked. Take time to learn about the battles sheep 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. Knowing the sheep is critical to protecting the sheep. It all 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. Shepherds do well to start by having sheep in their home for a meal. Spend time talking. Share your story, the journey you’ve taken through life to bring you where you are, good and bad. Then ask about their story. They may not share right away, or share all of the story, but chances are greater a safe environment will encourage them to share.
Fourth, shepherds must diligently pursue sheep that struggle and wander away. I’ve never known of a situation where literal sheep went after other sheep that wandered off. Every time, it is the shepherd who left the 99 to go after the 1. Nor did shepherds wait a few weeks or months to see if the sheep might wander back home. Shepherds check their sheep every night. If one is missing, shepherds go looking. We understand it physically, but do we see it spiritually? Shepherds must not allow sheep to wander off. They must check on them and see where they are struggling, finding ways to provide needed assistance. 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.
If you desire to grow as a shepherd, these few ideas are foundational and fundamental. Shepherds who lead God’s people need to give serious consideration to the relationship with which they serve the sheep who have been entrusted to their care. 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.
