THE LEADER'S CORNER
LEADERSHIP LESSON FOR AUGUSTThe Shepherd Ministry
LESSON ONE
". . . He himself appointed . . . pastors (shepherds of his flock)"(Ephesians 4:11, Amplified Bible. The word "pastors" in the original Greek as recorded in Ephesians 4:11 is "poimen," and means literally "shepherds." In the New Testament church, the word "elder" was used to denote two different groups of people. In some verses of Scripture it literally means "the elder or older." In other verses of Scripture, it refers to those special men who have been ordained as pastors or shepherds of the churches (Acts 14:23, I Timothy 5:17). The Apostle Paul exhorted the elders: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28). Peter also exhorted the elders: 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; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock (I Peter 5:2-3)." The Amplified Bible gives us clearer understanding of these verses of Scripture: "Tend--nurture, guard, guide and fold--the flock of God that is your responsibility, not by coercion or constraint but willingly;not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits belonging to the office but eagerly and cheerfully, Not as arrogant, dictatorial and overbearing persons domineering over those in your charge, but being examples--patterns and models of Christian living--to the flock (the congregation.)" (I Peter 5:2-3, Amplified Bible.). As pastors, what is our relationship to Jesus Christ? He is the great or chief Shepherd: "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant . . ." (Hebrews 13:20). "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (I Peter 5:4). "Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture" (Psalm 100:3). The sheep do not belong to the shepherd. The sheep belong to Jesus Christ. He purchased them with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He has made us overseers or undershepherds of His flock. We are willing to accept this responsibility, not for the money offered to us, nor for the applause of men, but out of love for the Great and Chief Shepherd. If we have done a good job, then there is an award that awaits us. What is our relationship to the saints we pastor? When uses us to raise up a work, or build on another man's work, there is always a close relationship that develops between those we pastor--especially those who come to Jesus Christ under our ministry. Paul wrote to Timothy, calling him "my own son in the faith," and "my dearly beloved son" (I Timothy 1:2 and II Timothy 1:2), but this relationship did not take away from the fact that, more importantly Timothy was a son of God (I John 3:2). As such, he belonged to Jesus (Romans 14:8; I Corinthians 6:19-20). We have been given the privilege to shepherd some of God's sheep. Our relationship with them is not that of Lord and servant. Peter has commanded us not to be "lords over God's heritage." The Amplified Bible reads, ". . . not as arrogant, dictatorial and overbearing persons domineering over those in your charge." In some countries, sheep are driven, but never in the land of Palestine. One day a guide was explaining this to an American tourist. when suddenly they both saw a man driving a flock of sheep. "I thought you said that shepherds always lead their sheep in the Middle East," the tourist queried. The guide replied, "And that is the only way I have ever seen it down before. Let me ask that shepherd why he is driving his flock." The guide hurried to catch up with the "shepherd," and asked him, "Mr. Shepherd, why are you driving your flock, and not leading them?" "Shepherd," the man answered. "I am not a shepherd, I am a butcher." Jesus Christ never forced his will on others. His command was more of an invitation: "Follow me." He did not drive them, he led them. He taught them many things by parables and stories. But most of all he lived it out before his followers. He taught them most by a living example. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, the ye should follow his steps" (I Peter 2:21). The Shepherd can only lead people to where he has been. If his own life is not holy, it will be hard to demand holiness from his followers. If his own prayer life is shallow, it will be difficult to encourage others to pray effectively. If he does not worship, he cannot expect his congregation to worship. If he is stingy with his giving to the cause of Jesus Christ, he cannot expect his church to give bountifully. If his own house is not in order, he faces a difficult task teaching others concerning proper family life and subjection. Examples are the best illustrations of truths to be learned. As one famous poem says, "I would rather see a sermon, than hear a sermon." (To be Continued) Lesson One -- Jesus, Our Example Lesson Two -- Jesus, A Man With a Mission Lesson Three -- Jesus Trains Leaders Lesson Four -- The "Jesus Way""And he gave some . . . pastors" (Ephesians 4:11).
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Leadership The "Jesus Way"
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