The Work of Shepherds (2)

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17.3

The Book of Pastoral Rule
Gregory the Great (ca. 540-604)
“The unskillfulness of shepherds is rebuked by the voice of the Truth, when it is said through the prophet, The shepherds themselves have not known understanding (Isai. lvi.11); whom again the Lord denounces, saying, And they that handle the law knew Me not (Jer. ii.8). And therefore the Truth complains of not being known of them, and protests that He knows not the principality of those who know not Him; because in truth these who know not the things of the Lord are unknown of the Lord…”

The work of shepherds consists of helping the people of God to connect with Him – to know, love, fear, and serve Him in every area of their lives. The shepherd leads his sheep into the green meadows and beside the still waters which are in the presence of Christ, where they know fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16.11), and are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3.12-18). This work of shepherding cannot be fulfilled by one who is merely a good speaker, an effective organizer, or an inspiring motivator. This work must be done by one who truly knows the Lord. For only those who know the Lord, and enjoy regular and deep communion with Him, can lead others into His presence, and teach them to delight in Him. Let us press on then, brethren, to increase in the knowledge of God and Christ (2 Pet. 3.18), for this is eternal life, and the sine qua non for fruitful shepherding. Unless we know the Lord, the Lord will not know us, and He will not honor our labors.

What do you consider to be the bare-bones components of a life of growing in the knowledge of God?

T. M. Moore

Growing into Christ
Our Pastor to Pastor series, Growing into Christ, is now available as a free PDF, set up for a series of 28 morning and evening readings, meditations, and prayers. A free copy awaits you by writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Here’s a tool you can use for your own growth, and in leading others to grow into Christ and live in Him.

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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.All quotations are from Gregory,The Book of Pastoral Rule,in Philip Schaff and Henry Wace, eds., Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 12(Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1895, 1995).