Observations of a New Pastor pt.4: Shepherd Your Sheep

Sadly, I have never seen shepherding modeled well in ministry. Yes, Jesus did it perfectly, but I’m not talking about him. I’m talking about the men I’ve been around. Will I ever see it done well (will I ever do it well)? I don’t think so. But can we take a dang good stab at it? Yes sir, we can, by the grace of God.
Pastors are to be under-shepherds of the flock of God. Of those whom God has called to be his sheep he calls (and gifts) some sheep to lead. These are under-shepherds (pastors) they are to follow the Shepherd (Jesus), and thus lead the flock through their following.
I’ve seen three tendencies in shepherds. First, over-leading, meaning the pastor will do a fantastic job at the church helping the spiritually sick and needy but will neglect his family. Second, cowardice, meaning the pastor will either flip-flop from conversation to conversation or will simply avoid the situation. Thirdly, laziness, meaning the pastor would rather not involve himself in the plight of the sheep for want of relaxation or home-life.
All of these will kill a flock. A pastor who neglects his family to tend the flock kills his primary flock (his family) and in so doing kills his secondary flock (the church). A pastor who is a coward kills the flock through indecision and unwillingness to preach the Gospel. A pastor who is lazy kills the flock by not using his shepherd’s staff to guide them to fresh grass and sweet water.
I am guilty of all of these tendencies. I have done them all at least 10 times (Neglect of priorities as opposed to family seeing as I don’t have one). So the rub is this: how does a pastor shepherd his flock?
He doesn’t.
Though he is the one preaching or writing; though he is the one drinking coffee or counseling; though he answers the phone calls and text messages; the best way for him to shepherd his flock is to understand it is God who does all the shepherding.
The identity of the pastor must be lost in Jesus. Only then will he lead his primary and secondary flock well, only then will he say exactly what needs to be said (offensive or not), only then will he feel the weightiness of his calling. For only then will all else pale in comparison with who Jesus Christ is.
So for the pastor, Jesus is your hope not your position. Life is the ebb and flow of the careening tempest, yet by the grace of God we cling to the Solid Rock of God and follow him well.
For the laymen, Jesus is your hope not your pastor. Your pastor will fail you. He is a sinner (not an excuse just a fact). Thus as he strives, Lord willing, to cling tightly (with all his life) to the Gospel, so you should follow his leading and cling tightly to the Gospel (with all of your life).