On two occasions and by two Apostles, the Bible exhorts its leaders to “Shepherd God’s flock” (Act. 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2). In Acts 20 Paul meets with the Ephesus elders knowing it will probably be his last chance to see them. While he hints at mutual submission, he cradles his exhortation as a reminder that elders shepherd the entire flock of God, which he states was purchased by Christ’s blood. Peter, on the other hand, when he makes the same exhortation, is checking motive. He wants to make sure that elders are shepherding for the right reasons; nothing worse than someone shepherding whose only concern is themselves or a select few people.
Lynn Anderson, in his book, They Smell Like Sheep, gives a brief definition of a shepherd as anyone who has a flock. For instance, a parent who has children is a shepherd. A Coach who has players is a shepherd. A teacher who has students is a shepherd. A Scoutmaster who has a troop is a shepherd. Of course an elder(s) who has church members is a shepherd.
When looking at the role of an elder in church, and the charge that both Peter and Paul gave the leaders, the imagery is profound. One must ask what it means to shepherd. Rooting the image in the Ancient Near East/First Century, I can think of four responsibilities of the shepherd.
- Feed the Flock > the shepherd leads the flock to places where fresh water and green grass is in plenty (Ps. 23:2). A bad shepherd is unconcerned that the water is dirty or the grass is brown or barren. Shepherding God’s flock ensures that the church is being fed healthfully from God’s word, by having a stake in who is preaching, or feeding oneself enough so that they are capable of feeding the flock whenever called upon.
- Protect the Flock from Predators > wolves, bears, and lions need to be chased off or killed less they destroy the flock (1 Sam. 17:34-36). Raiders or thieves pillaging flocks must be fought off (Ps. 23:4; Jn. 10:10), and the flock must be defended. Of course bad shepherds or hired hands run in the face of danger, or sit by watching the flock being torn apart. Elders must protect the flock as not everyone who enters the fold is a sheep; some are predators and some of those look like they’re dressed as sheep but are intent to destroy the flock.
- Provide a Healing Touch > when sheep gets sick, attacked or cut by briars, the responsibility of the shepherd is to nurse the sheep back to health (Ps. 23:5b). Often times the healing involved pouring olive oil on the wound, cleansing it from an infection (mind you, wounded animals may fight the shepherd who is trying to bring healing). A bad shepherd will allow the wound to fester and infect the animal, or not realize an animal under his care has been attacked, or quit helping when the animal fights back. Elders, as fellow-wounded shepherds, counsel the wounded and assist in the healing process, and many times when bringing healing are accused of being part of the pain.
- Seek Lost Lambs > when sheep go astray, the shepherd seeks to find and locate the animal; certainly there is monetary motivation for losing even one from the flock. Jesus talks about the shepherd leaving the 99 behind in search of the one (Lk. 15:4), as if it was common practice. A bad shepherd cares less about one insignificant sheep and takes a loss. Elders are concerned about the people in the congregation so that when someone starts “missing,” they begin the process of finding out where they are, and then leads them back to the flock.
The role of the elder is complicated and filled with unbearable heartaches and decisions as salvation stands in the balance. In reality, shepherding the church flock looks more like herding cats than it does leading sheep, and most churches fail to appreciate the leadership before them. Shepherding, like any other ministry, is filled with failure (didn’t the Good Shepherd lose one of his own?). So shepherds find the grace, not in the realm of perfection, but when one is simply doing what God called them to do. Shepherd the flock.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)