A good and faithful shepherd of the Gospel's flock,/whom God has chosen to guard the people of God/and to nourish his folk with divine teachings...

  - Sechnall, Audite Omnes Amantes (Irish, 5th century)

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers..."

  - Acts 20.28

Sechnall was reflecting on the pastoral work of Patrick. God used Patrick mightily to build up the Irish church in the fifth century. He was a true shepherd of God's flock, one from whom today's shepherds can learn much.

The shepherds of God's flock are charged with six duties in caring for the Lord's sheep. Jesus outlined these in John 10: They must know the sheep and lead them to where they can be sheltered and fed. Shepherds lay down their lives for the sheep. They bring other sheep into the fold and give eternal life to all the flock, assisting them as they grow in grace. And, unlike the hireling, the shepherds are charged with the duty of guarding the flock of Christ.

But from what?

Three things: First, false teaching. Shepherds guard the flock when they teach sound doctrine and expose teaching that is not in line with Scripture. The Lord's sheep - like Patrick's - feast on divine teachings, while false teaching can be very harmful, indeed. The shepherds of God's flock must therefore be learned men, solidly grounded in Scripture and Christian teaching, and alert to every shifting wind of doctrine.

Second, shepherds must guard their flocks from tempation, by teaching the people of God to recognize sin, know when they are in temptation, and find the way of escape to greater maturity in the Lord (1 Cor. 10.13). There is no substitute here for close discipleship and the practice of church discipline in ridding the flock of sin. Sin is real, but we don't need to give in to it. Learning to deal with temptation is key in this matter, and pastors must teach their people what this involves.

Finally, shepherds must guard their sheep from the ravages of the devil. He wages unrelenting warfare against God's flocks and uses every deceit and distraction to keep us from making progress in the Lord. The Lord's shepherds must equip, encourage, and strengthen the sheep so that they will resist the devil and stay the course of righteousness.

Pastors and church leaders are called shepherds in the New Testament. But we are not shepherds unless we take up the work of shepherds in caring for the flock of God. Shepherding is a very personal and demanding form of ministry. It cannot be done through programs or committees. It requires building relationships, praying together, and walking alongside the sheep as they make their journey in the Lord.

Patrick was a true shepherd of the Lord's flocks. We need more such shepherds today.

Encourage and affirm your pastor as a shepherd, and he will guard and care for you so that you continue to grow in the grace of the Lord.

T. M. Moore, Principal

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