The Work of Shepherds (1)

“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” Luke 16.16

Sermon X
Columbanus (ca 543-615)
“Thence we now force the kingdom of heaven by strength and violence, and this we snatch somehow, as it were, from amidst our enemies’ hands in the middle of the field of strife, and as it were in the blood-stained soil of battle, while we are too hardly assailed not only by our foes but by ourselves, while each loves himself ill, and in the act of loving hurts himself; for he loves well who hates, that is, disciplines himself savingly; but he who makes terms with his foes is not said to love himself aright.”

Jesus described the true Kingdom-seeker as a “violent” person who takes the Kingdom “by force” (Matt. 11.12). He saw people “pressing” to get into the Kingdom, striving mightily to lay hold on the promises of God that result in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1.4; Rom. 14.17, 18). Would we describe today’s Christians as “violently” “pressing into” the Kingdom, seeking it as the highest priority in every area of their lives? And if they’re not, could it be because we aren’t leading them there as shepherds in the Lord’s flock? Columbanus applied this idea of pressing into the Kingdom to the disciplines we take up for subduing heart, mind, and conscience to Christ, and for training the members of our churches for godly living. The old self in us is set in its ways, and wants to persist in ruthless and destructive self-love. The Kingdom-dweller knows the destructive ways of the self, and bridles it with grace and truth, that it may be serviceable to the Lord and others. And this is a struggle, requiring a kind of spiritual violence and daily pressing that is not all that common among the members of Christ’s Body today. Does your work of shepherding lead the flock into this mighty and glorious struggle?

When was the last time you reviewed your practice of spiritual disciplines, to enhance or improve the disciplining of your soul?

Fan into Flame
Our book, Fan into Flame, is a handbook on the work of pastors and shepherds. It explains the context and calling of the shepherd, as well as the tools available to us for this work; and it provides useful tools for assessment and planning to improve in the Lord’s calling. This is an excellent resource for leadership training or personal growth into Christ. Order your copy by clicking here. Or contact me about our Pastoral Hope Initiative, during which series of assessments we walk through this handbook and various other resources together. Watch this brief video, then drop me a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations are from G. S. M. Walker, ed., Sancti Columbani Opera(Dublin: Institute for Advanced Studies, 1957), pp. 61 ff.