The Work of Shepherds (3)

You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe… 1 Thessalonians 2.10

The Book of Pastoral Rule
Gregory the Great (ca. 540-604)
“But those who are over others should shew themselves to be such that their subjects may not blush to disclose even their secrets to them; that the little ones, vexed with the waves of temptation, may have recourse to their pastor’s heart as to a mother’s breast, and wash away the defilement they foresee to themselves from the filth of the sin that buffets them in the solace of his exhortation and in the tears of prayer.”

It takes trust to come to your pastor with the deepest needs and fears of your soul, and trust does not come naturally. Trust must be earned, and it is earned by showing ourselves to be trustworthy. What kind of person are you most likely to trust? A good listener? One who is instant in prayer, and who depends on God’s Word for insight, direction, comfort, and hope? A reliable confidant? Pastors must build trust through faithful prayer, careful preaching, an exemplary lifestyle, and a devotion to shepherding as their ministry template. As those we serve get to know us, they will realize that they can unburden themselves to us, and be assured that we will help them bear that burden before the Lord together. By working hard to get to know our flock, and letting them know us, we may hope to gain their confidence, so that we may serve them at just those moments when they most need our counsel, exhortations, and prayers.
Meditate on Paul’s word to the Thessalonians: Is this how your people would describe your relationship with them?

T. M. Moore

If Men Will Pray
Paul explicitly declared that men everywhere should lift holy hands in prayer, so that the Gospel could flourish (1 Tim. 2.1-8). So how is it with the men of your church? Are they men of prayer? Do they take no rest, and give God no rest, seeking Him in prayer? Men at Prayer provides resources for you to use in enlisting, equipping, and encouraging your men for prayer. Watch this brief video, then begin developing a strategy for leading the men of your church to take their place on the wall, seeking the Lord for revival, renewal, and awakening in our day. If you need helping thinking this through, or you’d like to talk about this effort, send me an email 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 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).