The Work of Shepherds (2)

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous… 1 Timothy 3.2, 3

The Book of Pastoral Rule
Gregory the Great (ca. 540-604)
“That man, therefore, ought by all means to be drawn with cords to be an example of good living who already lives spiritually, dying to all the passions of the flesh; who disregards worldly prosperity; who desires only inward wealth; whose intention the body, in good accord with it, thwarts not at all by its frailness, nor the spirit greatly by its disdain: one who is not let to covet the things of others, but gives freely of his own; who through the bowels of compassion is quickly moved to pardon, yet is never bent down from the fortress of rectitude by pardoning more than is meet; who perpetrates no unlawful deeds, yet deplores those perpetrated by others as though they were his own; who out of affection of heart sympathizes with another’s infirmity, and so rejoices in the good of his neighbor as though it were his own advantage; who so insinuates himself as an example to others in all he does that among them he has nothing, at any rate of his own past deeds, to blush for…”

I have for many years participated in ordination counsels and examinations for men wanting to become ministers of the Gospel. We ask many questions, some of which are focused on their experience of Christ, but most of which are directed at their knowledge of Scripture, theology, and church order. Gregory did not begin at that point. He wanted men of excellent spiritual character and demonstrated gifts. Such men, he knew, could grow in knowledge; men of mere knowledge, however, might easily ruin a flock by their faithless lives. We must ever seek to improve our character as followers of Christ and shepherds in His flock. The work of shepherding involves knowing others and being known by them. Let’s make sure that, when the Lord’s sheep know us, they know Him in us.

Do you have anyone in your life who holds you accountable for spiritual growth? How does that work? Is this relationship helping you grow in the virtues of the life of faith?

T. M. Moore

Mission Partners Outreach
Loving God means living as witnesses for Christ. Loving our neighbors means bearing witness to Christ’s love and life. Living and loving this way requires training devoted to helping us grow into Jesus so that we live as His witnesses. Jesus trained and deployed His followers two-by-two, to learn and serve together in proclaiming His Kingdom. Are you following this pattern? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? I’m currently looking for two men to work with me through this six-month training effort, which includes preparing a plan to implement this free training in your own church. Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information.

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 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).