Healthy, Growing Churches (3)

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6.9, 10

Epistle to the Galatians 2.6.10
Marius Victorinus (ca. 280-363)
“Hence we are to work, and we are to work good and to work it to all so that there is no partiality toward persons. We are to do nothing except do good and good to all. For indeed if love edifies and every person is beloved, then every good that we work we ought to work on behalf of all.….”

The numerous “one another” passages in the New Testament make it clear that we are our brothers’ keepers. We are to teach and admonish one another, stimulate one another to love and good works, bear one another’s burdens, love one another, edify one another, and so forth. This is the work of shepherding, and all the saints must be equipped to fulfill this calling, beginning in their Personal Mission Field. No pastor can shepherd a flock by himself. He will need to enlist and train others. But even then, those shepherds are not always available. By nurturing a shepherding vision in the hearts and minds of the saints, and equipping them with those basic skills that will allow them to “work good and to work it to all,” we can build into the warp and woof of our congregations an ambience of shepherding, so that people truly care for one another and serve one another well. When such a shepherding lifestyle describes the character of our congregations, caring for others will translate into our daily missions for the Lord as well.

What evidence do you see in your church that such “one-anothering” is the normal practice of all members?

T. M. Moore

The Work of Shepherds
In case you missed our series on shepherding and the work of shepherds, you can receive a free PDF of 28 morning and evening readings, in which we unpack the Biblical teaching concerning the work of shepherding, guided by great shepherds of the past. Simply write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and ask John to send you a copy of The Work of Shepherds.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Quotations from Church Fathers are from the Ancient Christian Commentary Series, published by InterVarsity Press.