FIRST-CLASS SHEPHERDING

A Research Paper.
Presented to Dr. Wayne van Geldered
Independent Baptist College of Ministry

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the requirement for the course
Pastoral leadership.

By.
Peter Kitonga
August, 2010.
 [2]
Thesis: Shepherding means “To take someone to a place that you want them to go to”

From the mere definition of the word shepherd one can conclude that one can not be a

shepherd without having the sheep and without the guidelines or methodology of leading

them. How, when, where, to whom and why, matters as much as who gave the instructions is

concerned. A Christian organization takes its methodology from the Bible itself given by God

himself and emulates the trouble-free design of the sheep with it’s shepherd in a normal free-

range sheep farming.

Introduction: It is difficult to encourage one who is afflicted by using these words; "I am the

good shepherd . . . who lays down his life for the sheep" because it is unmatched and

unsurpassed. But the Good Shepherd himself makes that word work. He did indeed lay down

his life for the world, of his own accord, and has received power from his Father to take it

again. Shepherding is a total surrender to Christ to do what he has said in his work even when

it seems impossible to us. Christ is the chief Shepherd and the pastor or bishop is the vice

shepherd the rest are the sheep and should act as sheep. Running through some churches

today is the view that the other sheep need entertainment to open their ears. Entertainment

evangelism, as currently described, is at best a striving to be all things to all people, at worst

an extension of the me-first culture that has little or no room for the question of why the

Good Shepherd had to lay down his life for the sheep. He had to lay down his life for us

sheep because we wander, fall for phony shepherds and bleat piteously, lost in the far pasture.

Another approach to the other sheep is to restrict them. Sheep are, after all, stupid, stubborn

and dependent. Pack the whole kingdom and power and glory of the good shepherd into a

tight dogmatic box and stuff the sheep inside, removing whatever doesn’t fit. No questions

asked and none allowed. The goal here is not to set up an easy misrepresentation and joke

with it. It is to warn against the reality of a universal fundamentalist desire jeopardizing all

major religions. Pat answers to the great questions are attractive in the short term. But they
cheapen grace by not asking us to love God and others with the whole mind as well as heart

and soul. Yet one more view of the other sheep is to typecast them, thinking that church folk

all dress, think, talk, act alike. I fall into that trap too. We’re all given to stereotyping people

for purposes of exclusion. But when eyes are fixed on this Good Shepherd who knows that

the other sheep are not lost sheep but his sheep, the covers fall away and the church gets

really interesting. Seriously faithful people know that finding the other sheep is no break. But

it’s happening, it will happen till all the sheep are within the fold of the one Shepherd, the

Good Shepherd. Shepherding means “To take someone to a place that you want them to go

to” [2] From the mere definition of the word shepherd one can conclude that one can not be a

shepherd without having the sheep and without the guidelines or methodology of leading

them. How, when, where, to whom and why, matters as much as who gave the instructions is

concerned. A Christian organization takes its methodology from the Bible itself given by God

himself and emulates the trouble-free design of the sheep with it’s shepherd in a normal free-

range sheep farming.

Who is giving the instructions? The Bible says in the book of 1 peter that “I exhort

the elders among you. .  . shepherd the flock of God. . . exercising oversight not under

compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with

eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be

examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading

crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:1-4 Peter wrote those words to Christians living in a culture that

was thoroughly familiar with sheep and shepherding as most of us are. Unfortunately, much

of the rich meaning of his analogy is lost for those of us who live where flocks of sheep are

an unfamiliar sight. But even then most of the simple ideas we have with sheep and shepherd

still apply. Perhaps a careful look at the role of shepherds and the nature of sheep will

illuminate for us some helpful principles of church leadership.

 A sheep is a beautiful, gentle, humble, and contrary to popular opinion quite an

intelligent animal. But unlike other animals, it has no sense of direction and no instinct for

finding its way home. A sheep can be totally lost within a few miles of its home. Lost sheep

usually will walk around in endless circles, in a state of confusion, unrest, and even panic.

When Jesus saw the spiritually disoriented, confused, and lost crowds, He likened them to

sheep without a shepherd (Matthew. 9:36). The prophet Isaiah described lost men as those

who, like sheep, have gone astray—each one turning to his own way (Isaiah. 53:6). Like lost

sheep, lost people need a rescuer to lead them to the safety of the fold. Sheep are innate

followers and very easily led astray. Sadly, unfaithful or false shepherds can lead sheep astray

as well. In Jeremiah 23:1-2 the Lord pronounces judgment against the unrighteous rulers of

Judah, whom He likened to unfaithful shepherds: Woe to the shepherds who are destroying

and scattering the sheep of My pasture. . . . You have scattered My flock and driven them

away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your

deeds. Sheep spend most of their lives eating and drinking, but they are indiscriminate about

what they consume. They don't know the difference between toxic and non-toxic pastures.

Therefore their diet must be carefully guarded by the shepherd. When grazing, once they

devour their own range, they are unable to move to a new range on their own. If not led to

green pastures, they will continue to eat the stubble of the old pasture until nothing remains

but dirt. Soon they will run out of food altogether and result in feeding to just anything. They

must be led, as the psalmist said, beside the still waters (Ps. 23:2). The lord Jesus Christ tells

Peter His disciple if he loves him he should feed his sheep. Three times the Lord insists.

Therefore, it is the duty of the shepherd to feed the sheep and this time with the pure word of

God.

Most diseases that afflict sheep are highly contagious. Parasites, infection, and other

ailments spread quickly from sheep to sheep, making it urgent that the shepherd be on guard
at all times so that he can diagnose and deal with the sheep's infirmities before an epidemic

ravages the flock. Sheep are almost entirely defenseless. They can't kick, scratch, bite, jump,

or run. They need a protective shepherd to be assured of survival. When attacked by a

predator, they huddle together rather than running away. That makes them easy prey. Jesus is

the perfect example of a loving shepherd. He epitomizes everything that a spiritual leader

should be. Peter called Him the "Chief Shepherd" (1 Pet. 5:4). Jesus called Himself the

"Good Shepherd," who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). In John 10:27-28 he

himself says, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give

eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.

He is our great Rescuer, Leader, Guardian, Protector, and Comforter. Elders are under

shepherds or vice shepherds, who guard the flock under the Chief Shepherd's watchful eye

(Acts 20:28). It is their around-the-clock duty because they minister to people who, like

sheep, often are vulnerable, defenseless, undiscerning, and prone to stray. They must feed the

sheep with God's Word and lead them by example. They must keep the sheep from straying

from the fellowship or wandering off into some pasture that is harmful to them. They must

protect them from any Judas sheep leading them into doctrinal error and spiritual disaster.

They must "admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, [and] be patient

with all" (1 Thessalonians.5:14). Shepherding the flock of God is an enormous task, but to

faithful elders it brings the rich reward of the unfading crown of glory, which will be awarded

by the Chief Shepherd Himself at his appearing (1 Peter. 5:4).

Effective pastoral leadership is sacrificial. No calling requires more wisdom and grace

than that of the pastor. He must work with people of different temperaments and do so under

varied circumstances. Both theoretically and practically, the situation in the area of pastoral

ministry is often uncertain. It must be established, however, that a pastor is not simply a

"hired man." Pastor and people must recognize the God-given position which belongs to the
pastor. The source of his authority is God Himself; therefore the pastor ought to receive

appropriate respect. I Thessalonians 5:12, 13 reveal the importance of understanding the

relationship between pastor and people in the words: ". . . know them which labor among you

and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for

their works sake . . ." A good pastoral leader cannot be constantly passive and nondirective.

In any group, if tasks are accomplished, some of necessity must assume some degree of

leadership. On the other hand, a good pastoral leader does not always have to do everything

himself and does not think that his way is always the correct way. A good leader does not

have to act like a slave or a martyr; he must be actively involved in the planning process as

well as the implementation process. A good pastoral leader is able to provide direction,

supervision and still have an appreciation for group dynamics. We believe that with a proper

understanding of Scriptural principles, it is still possible to be effective in pastoral leadership

today.

Conclusion: Shepherding is a total surrender to Christ Jesus to do what he has said in his

word. How, when, where, to whom and why, matters with who gave the instructions.

Shepherds are to warn against the reality of a universal fundamentalist desire jeopardizing all

major religions. Shepherding means “To take someone to a place that you want them to go

to”. Like lost sheep, lost people need a rescuer to lead them to the safety of the fold. In

Jeremiah 23:1-2 the Lord pronounces judgment against the unrighteous rulers of Judah,

whom He likened to unfaithful shepherds: therefore the shepherds are accountable if the

sheep end up in danger of any kind. The shepherds are to feed the flock. The sheep’s diet

must be carefully guarded by the shepherd. This is the sound doctrine of God. it must also be

understood that effective pastoral leadership is sacrificial. No calling requires more wisdom

and grace than that of the pastor. It must be established, however, a pastor is not simply a

"hired man." Pastor and people must recognize the God-given position which belongs to the
pastor. The source of his authority is God Himself; therefore the pastor ought to receive

appropriate respect while they in turn are to not lead them by not taking lordship over them

but voluntarily as examples and definitely not for money. 1 Peter 5:1-4 crowns it all.
 Endnotes
1. http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/shepherd_5 (27/3/2010).

2. Ibid.
Bibliography

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/shepherd_5 (27/3/2010).