Spiritual Gifts - Shepherding

Ephesians 4:11 CSB

And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,

Greek word: poimen (pumain) - shepherd -

The gift of shepherding is manifested in persons who look out for the spiritual welfare of others. Although pastors, like shepherds, do care for members of the church, this gift is not limited to a pastor or staff member.

Ephesians 4:11 connects Shepherding with teaching, “pastor and teachers”.

If you are sure you do not have a Teaching gift, then you can be sure God has not called you to the pastorate.

A Sunday school teacher or small group leader (man or woman) is a Shepherd the same as the pastor is a Shepherd.

Their responsibility is to shepherd the class members.

The position demands the gift.

What does a shepherd do?

John MacArthur says, “The primary object of shepherding is feeding, that is, teaching, caring for,  leading and protecting God’s sheep (i.e., believers).”

Shepherds have the spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by overseeing, training, and caring for the needs of a group of Christians.

Those with the Spiritual Gift of Shepherding take the spiritual health of those around them VERY SERIOUSLY!

John 10:14–15 CSB

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.

Jesus is the Shepherd, we are Under-Shepherds. Shepherds do what Jesus says, guided and empowered by the Spirit.

Teaching

Ephesians 4:11 CSB

And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,

Caring For

Leading

Now this one is interesting. Because when we think of Secular leadership, we think we see what leading looks like. But the reality is that leading, Biblical Leadership, is not secular leadership.

Think about the prominent leaders that you hear about.

John 10:27 CSB

My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

Spend some time thinking about how Jesus led the Disciples.

There is probably quite a contrast between the well known leader, and the Leadership that Jesus demonstrates.

Loud vs gentle

Strength vs gentleness (strength under control)

Comes from knowing who you are and to whom you belong.

Heavy vs light

forceful vs stern

Jesus was a patient and loving leader. He listened. He was consistent.

Protecting

1 Samuel 17:34–36 CSB

David answered Saul, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep. Whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, I went after it, struck it down, and rescued the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

I love this Scripture because it reminds us that part of being a Shepherd means that you have to protect your flock. David was a Shepherd, and this statement that he makes to King Saul regarding his work as a Shepherd is important. This would not be unique to David, but rather to all shepherds: shepherds protect their flock.

Now the Spiritual Gift of Shepherding does not mean you need to be following your flock, ready to pounce at every onset of danger; you and I are not omnipresent.

It does mean that we must be mindful of the flocks spiritual condition, and watch out for what they are eating. The one with this Spiritual Gift is guided by the spirit to be in tune with healthy feeding, and when the flock is being led astray.

And they take necessary steps to protect the flock from being led astray, and will speak up regarding things that are necessary to address.

Shepherds have a Staff and Rod

Staff

The symbol represents the concern and compassion that a shepherd has for his sheep. The staff represents all that is long suffering and kind.

A staff is a long, slender stick, often with a crook or hook on one end. The owner selects the stick with care and shapes, smooths and cuts it to best suit his personal use.

A. Philip Keller notes three ways a shepherd manages his sheep with his staff. It is used in drawing sheep together into an intimate relationship. He will use his staff to gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it to its mother if they become separated. He does not use his bare hands for fear that the ewe will reject her offspring if it bears the odor of his hands upon it.

The staff is also used for guiding sheep through a new gate or along a dangerous, difficult route. He will use the slender stick to press gently against the animal’s side, and this pressure guides the sheep in the way the owner wants it to go. Thus the sheep is reassured of its proper path. If the shepherd’s staff is six feet long, it means that his arm and hand can extend that far. The shepherd is able to use the staff almost as well as he uses his hand.

Keller says that he has seen a shepherd walk beside a pet or favorite sheep with his staff gently resting on its back. It appears that they are in touch or walking hand-in-hand. Sheep are not easily trained but this may be a method of training her as a leader.

This tender scene may depict what the psalmist wants to convey to us. The shepherd, the Lord, is a tender and loving person that has only our best interest at heart. Jesus says that a false or hired shepherd does not care for the sheep and may abuse them and desert them in time of danger. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep by name and that the sheep know the shepherd’s voice and will gladly and safely follow him.

Rod

The rod conveys the concept of authority, power, discipline and defense of the sheep.

Shepherding is NOT Ranching!

1 Peter 5:1–4 CSB

I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

“not lording over” - not domineering