SOUNDING OUT:
Care of the Flock
God wants His people cared for, and
He has provided pastors to do so. These pastors, also
called shepherds, are to care for God’s people
like the Eastern shepherd cared for his sheep and like
Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd, does.
(Hebrews 13:20; I Peter 2:25)
I Peter 5:1-4:
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also
an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God
which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not
by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre,
but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords
over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the
flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd
shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that
fadeth not away.
The apostle Peter exhorted
the elders of the church, to be shepherds to the church
of God. Many “independent minded believers”
maintain the notion that they are going to follow Christ
only. The implication is that there is no need for the
ministry of the pastor. If that is so, why then does
God consider scattered sheep, off on their own, not
in a fold, not a good thing?
The indictment against pastors in Jeremiah targeted
their harsh treatment of the flock. God didn’t
want His flock destroyed or scattered, and promised
to set up new shepherds who would feed them properly.
Jeremiah 23:1-4:
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the
sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
2 Therefore thus saith the
LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my
people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them
away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit
upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
3 And I will gather the
remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have
driven them, and will bring them again to their folds;
and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4 And I will set up shepherds
over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear
no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking,
saith the LORD.
A similar sentiment
is expressed in Ezekiel 34. The evil pastors are reproved
and corrected, and the scattered sheep are to be brought
back into the fold. There is no obligation to subject
oneself to abusive pastors, but God has promised to provide
genuine pastors who would provide for His people. God
does not want His people scattered and alone. He wants
them in the safety of the sheepfold with the protection
of the shepherd.
If being off on one’s own was Biblically
sound why all the instruction on gathering those who are
scattered? The Bible gives the impression that a person
is not in the fold unless he is with the group. Why else
did Jesus give the parable of leaving the ninety-nine
sheep to rescue the one not with the flock? It is interesting
that Jesus depicted the separated sheep in His parable
in Matthew 18:12-14 as having gone astray, and in Luke
15:4-7 as being lost.
God has set certain men in His church as shepherds
to tend His flock. They are described in Ephesians 4:11-16
as gifts to the church. He has enable them and energizes
them handle their responsibilities or to perform their
job. Like all others, some perform their appointed tasks
faithfully (Matthew 25:21, 23), while others are unjust
stewards of their responsibilities (Acts 20:30). To whom
much is given, much is required, and so the minister will
have to answer for his faithfulness to function. James
makes it very clear that the teacher will receive the
stricter judgment
(James 3:1).
It is doubtful that one will ever find a pastor
without a hint of defect in his character or in the expression
of his personality. It is doubtful that one will ever
find a pastor with absolutely perfect doctrine (i.e. just
like yours). It is doubtful that one will ever find a
pastor who always teaches with clarity and beauty. The
meal he prepares may not always have seven courses and
be served on fine china, but it should provide the sustenance
you need to carry on.
God makes it very clear that other shepherds besides
Christ are necessary for leading and caring for His people.
Don’t forsake the community of believers because
you cannot find one good enough for you. If that is the
case, start one of your own and invite others into the
healing balm of your fellowship.
Making a diligent and honest search for a true
shepherd in the church of God is everyone’s responsibility.
It is imperative that we find a fold where we can be properly
fed and where we can serve. The enemy has scattered the
flock through extensive doctrinal changes, and harsh and
improper treatment. God has placed us in a body as it
has pleased Him. Let’s function as a body and care
for one another. No one need be scattered, alone, and
without the comfort of the sheepfold.
|
