Dear Church, Shepherd the Flock
Notes
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Announcements
Announcements
Congregational meeting today
Remove the High Places Kick-off & Tail Gate Party next Sunday
Introduction
Introduction
This morning, we’re talking about church leadership and structure, but don’t check out.
Here are two ways these topics directly impact you.
The principles of leadership in the Bible apply to every context—they are universal.
At some point, you may want to move beyond attending to belonging—here’s how you do that.
Two things to talk about today.
How we’re going to shepherd the flock.
How we’re going to structure the flock.
Body
Body
We’re going to shepherd the flock by restoring the watchmen.
Explanation
Elders, Overseers = same thing
Acts 20:28… The Holy Spirit appoints Overseers in the church for what purpose? “To care for the church of God.”
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
The whole point of leadership is to care for others.
A shepherd’s goal is a healthy flock, not a higher status.
What does shepherding look like? See 1 Peter 5:1-5.
1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Lead by example
Everybody’s had the boss whose motto is “Do as I say, not as I do.” Who likes that boss?
For good or ill, we get what we are, so be like Jesus.
Lead with humility
It takes humility to follow. It also takes humility to lead well. Pride is putting yourself ahead of others. Humility is putting others ahead of yourself.
Look at 1 Peter 5:5. The proud make themselves the opposite of God, and he actively opposes them.
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Lead through sacrificial love
Ever wonder why the storyline of the hero who is willing to sacrifice himself to stop the evil villain from destroying the world is such a popular one?
This is a reflection of the God who loves us. Sacrificial love is the greatest picture of Jesus.
The greatest leaders are those who love the ones they lead and are willing to sacrifice for them. The old leadership maxim is true: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Illustration: Dave Wilson’s story
Application: God has called us to shift the focus of our Elders—our Overseers—from managing a 501(c)3 non-profit organization to doing what Acts 20:28 says.
We’re going to structure the flock into Gospel Communities.
Explanation: Proverbs 27:23… How can we do this effectively in a church the size of LakeView?
23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,
Covid showed us two things.
It has to be a team effort.
We have to be set up to care for one another.
Paul’s strategy for planting churches… see Titus 1:5.
How to get connected—to move from attending to belonging—at LakeView.
Gathered Worship = full extended-family reunion
Gospel Community = smaller family holiday gathering
Close friendship (Growth Groups) = immediate family
Illustration: What will Gospel Communities be like? We’ve experimented with different formats. The Backyard BBQs I visited last summer.
Application: Our goal is for Gospel Communities to be ready to start meeting regularly by September.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We would love for you to be part of a Gospel Community. We believe restructuring our congregation this way will help people be connected and set us up to love and care for you well no matter what comes in the future.