The Voice of the Shepherd

Thank you for the way in which you have participated and interacted with the lessons we have presented on elders. Over the next few weeks, I want to use this space to remind everyone of key statements made in these lessons. Please stay in prayer throughout this process—that God will allow us to select men who are truly shepherds.

The first word we talked about was the word which is translated “shepherd”. Shepherding is what an elder does. In the Word, the Holy Spirit chose this timeless metaphor to imply that one who leads the church as God has ordained truly cares for his flock. As Jesus charged Peter with his responsibility as a chosen apostle, he said to him, “Feed my Lambs,” and “Take care of my sheep”. The good shepherding elder does this. He is tender, thoughtful, responsible, compassionate, and loving to those for whom he is responsible. You can tell that a good shepherd has been with the Lord. As Jesus implied, they know his voice, because he is always there. He shows up when they are sick, or when they are hurt, or when they are in trouble. He listens well and they know and appreciate his comforting voice.

The good shepherd prepares God’s people for serving. He knows that he cannot be with them every moment and so he equips them to grow up in faith and knowledge and to become mature, so that when Jesus comes, “We shall be like him,” ( I John 3:2).

The good shepherd feeds the sheep. He is able to teach them so that they are prepared for any spiritual battle.

The good shepherd also goes after lost sheep—some who have strayed from the flock and some who are simply lost. He knows how to encourage the lost. His compassion and his tears are real. Isaiah talks about the good shepherd: “He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart….” ( Isaiah 40:11).