Pastors are a Dime a Dozen; True Shepherds are Not!As of late, I’ve read several articles and even watched reporting on television concerning the fact that President Obama has lost weight since he became president. Someone close to the president has said that in fact Obama occasionally skips meals because “he is working non-stop for the country.”
As the president, with “the weight of the world on his shoulders,” as some say, it’s certainly understandable that a physical toll would be paid; presidents have responsibilities that we can’t even fathom, so it’s no wonder that they may quickly lose some weight, gain a few wrinkles, and go grey sooner than normal. This has been the case with most presidents, as it simply goes with the territory. Presidents sometimes sacrifice their own well-being and put themselves through late nights, high stress situations, and out-of-the-norm eating schedules – all in order to focus their energies on those whom they are leading (and the issues at hand) more so than focusing on themselves.
The same can be said of many pastors, and this is how it should be actually. The Bible says that pastors are to be “shepherds,” who sometimes put themselves on the back-burner in order to better serve and protect the flock. You can see the perfect example of a true shepherd in the spiritual sense in the story of David, who (as a teenage shepherd in the physical sense) would put his own life in danger as he would bare-handedly run after lions and bears to rescue sheep that had been carried off. This is a beautiful symbol of what pastors are called to be – shepherds who forsake themselves for the benefit of the sheep!
Pastors are a dime a dozen, but true shepherds are not. Many pastors can speak well, raise lots of money, and baptize people with the utmost enthusiasm, but they aren’t shepherds; they aren’t willing to endure discomfort and make themselves second in order to do whatever it takes to serve the flock. For this reason, many pastors will watch a satanic bear or lion grab and carry off a member of the flock, and they won’t lift a finger to do anything about it – because they’re more concerned about themselves than anyone else.
The Bible’s Paul said to pastors, “Be shepherds of the church of God, which [Jesus Christ] bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!” (Acts 20: 28B-31A). The Bible calls pastors to be shepherds (like David) who will fight off the wolves of this world in order to protect and defend the flock; this requires a pastor who is more concerned with the wellbeing of his flock than his own personal comfort.
The Bible’s Peter says to pastors, ““Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3). In other words, pastors are called to be shepherds who oversee the flock with a servant mentality and who aren’t as interested in padding their own pockets as they are eager to serve others and set the right example to the rest of the flock.
If you’re a pastor, youth pastor, Bible study leader, or some other kind of “shepherd” who is charged with looking after a portion of God’s flock, survey yourself (as you look at your actions, thoughts, and intents) and see if you’ve been behaving as a true shepherd. If you discover that you’ve fallen short, ask God to help you put yourself aside in order to see his flock the way he sees it. Ask God to help you be the “shepherd” that he has called you to be, with the passion and selfless determination that it takes to look after his sheep. Ask God to give you the courage and the strength to run after and tackle the satanic lions, bears, and wolves that come after those God has placed under your care. Be more than just a pastor; be a “shepherd!”
Encouraged Reading for “Shepherds” of God’s Flock
“They Call Me Pastor – How to Love the Ones You Lead” – H.B London & Neil B. Wiseman
This is one of my favorite pastoral books, and I’ve read quite a few. London and Neil really capture the essence of what being a pastor/shepherd is all about. Check it out!
I would also suggest that pastors check out my list of blogs of fellow pastors (which you can find down the left side of my website) for some good reading. While everyone would love these blogs, pastors will especially appreciate the many posts that are directed solely to other pastors. The blogs are by Pastor Steven Furtick (NC), Perry Noble (SC), and Troy Gramling (FL).
