Psalm 95:6-7

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

For he is our God,

    and we are the people of his pasture,

    and the sheep of his hand…”

We don’t have a whole lot of shepherds in the urban city where my husband and I live.  However in the outskirts of town occasionally I see boys herding livestock across the road, resulting in rather comical traffic blockage for at least couple minutes.  One thing seems clear about shepherds; they don’t leave their flocks unattended.  They keep their eyes ever watchful on their animals to make sure no harm befalls them.  If one strays away, of course they’ll round it up and bring it back into the flock.

Christians, especially those of us in leadership-type positions in ministry, see ourselves as shepherds of our congregation.  Just as Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”  The word “pastor” even originates from the Latin word for shepherd.  As Christians, we are called to love the church, feed each other from The Word and be united…however that doesn’t always happen.  The reason is simple: we are human.

Ministers have a deep sense of responsibility to their congregation, as they should, but that can create a heavy burden if taken too far.  I’ve heard pastors talk about how disappointed they feel when they’ve invested so much into an individual or family in the church who ends up leaving.  Ministers sometimes have a vague sense of betrayal when a team member or layperson leaves to become involved in another ministry.  Why?  We feel “our flock” needs to stick with us and stick together.  If they don’t, then we have failed as ministers.

But ultimately, we can’t control others or circumstances.  Sometimes despite our best efforts, Christians have fights and falling-outs.  Sometimes God will lead our team members to new places and new areas in ministry which we don’t understand.  We don’t always have the ability to “leave the ninety-nine,” for the one who’s left or gone astray.  That’s God’s job.  God is the one who is supposed to pursue us individually, and even with the best possible ministry team, a person will not grow in their walk with God unless He helps them and works in their heart.

Philippians 1:6 

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

 

This is important to know on a family level as well.  We may be discouraged if we see our husbands sinning or making unwise decisions, and it’s even more frustrating if they won’t listen to our feedback.  Even if we’re sure we’re right about an issue, persistently repeating the same advice or criticism will quickly become nagging, which will only make things worse.  It’s not our job to change our husbands; it’s our job to pray for them and to encourage them, graciously and humbly, in their walk with God.  Allow God to make your husband the man the Lord wants Him to be.

The same thing goes for our children.  God may give us a husband, children, team members…but they’re all gifts.  We don’t own anyone and we can’t shepherd the way God can.  While we’re called to encourage and be like Christ, we must also humbly keep in mind that He is the chief shepherd.

1 Peter 5:4-6

“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.  Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,”

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In ministry do you see yourself as an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a shepherd  or a teacher?

Have you ever felt hurt by anyone leaving after you’d been ministering to them?

In what ways has God reminded you of His authority?