Pastoring

Pastoring is shepherding. Shepherding implies at least two things.

First, the sheep can not make it on their own. They need help and a portion of help comes in the form of a shepherd. One must remember that it is the Lord who both declares that there is a need and also supplies the fix. While it might be humbling to acknowledge not just that the church is needy but that I have a need, we ought to be comforted in understanding that we all share Adam's nature.

The need is met in and through the Lord providing a shepherd. The Scriptures define this shepherd as an under-shepherd of the Chief Shepherd who is none other than Christ the Lord. An humbling point for the shepherd to remember is that he too is a sheep, and as a sheep he too share in human weakness and must also follow the Shepherd as well. Doesn't our Lord do things in an interesting manner? Yet, he also supplies the shepherd with the gifts that he needs to shepherd other sheep. If there is good shepherding going on, we must first, and above all, give thanks to the Lord.

A problem arises when the sheep see the weakness of the shepherd and despise him. A solution that is offered in Scripture is to pray for one another, to admonish and encourage one another. This includes praying for our under-shepherd. Obedience, not blind obedience to the shepherd, but cheerful, trusting obedience to The Shepherd, on the part of the sheep is something of great encouragement to the under-shepherd.

ESV Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

ESV 3Jo 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

ESV Luk 22:26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.