The Work of Shepherds (3)

All Scripture isbreathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3.16, 17

The Book of Pastoral Rule
Gregory the Great (ca. 540-604)
“Supreme rule, then, is ordered well, when he who presides lords it over vices, rather than over his brethren. But, when superiors correct their delinquent subordinates, it remains for them anxiously to take heed how far, while in right of their authority they smite faults with due discipline, they still, through custody of humility, acknowledge themselves to be on a par with the very brethren who are corrected; although for the most part it is becoming that in our silent thought we even prefer the brethren whom we correct to ourselves.”

Part of the ministry of the Word requires that we correct those who are in error – whether they are staff members, elders or deacons, teachers, or people in any leadership role, and whether the error be of doctrine or of life. But we must not do this in an imperious way, parading our superior knowledge or showing-up someone before others. Rather, we most effectively correct others when we do so by loving them as ourselves. Thus, we will approach them with humility and encouragement, looking not so much to indict a shortcoming as to reveal a path to fuller growth into the Lord. We may ask a question, to make sure we’ve rightly discerned the need for correction. Then we should look to the Word together, and let it speak into the situation which needs amending. Let the Word and Spirit do the hard work, while we surround our errant brother with support, affirmation, and love.

What have you found to be helpful ways of approaching those who are in error, so that they receive your correction and take up a more Biblical pattern of behavior?

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).