*The definition of 'shepherd' is - one who takes care of the sheep (a Pastor)
(Abel, Rachel, Jethro’s daughters, Moses, David, were all shepherds)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:*Shepherds, along with the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers are ordained of God to endeavor to spread the gospel, taking care of God’s flock, for the benefit of the church as a whole.
Isa 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.*Sometimes the shepherd must carry the weak, with patience, encouraging and counseling them.
Jer 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
2 Chron 18:16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace. *If sheep have no leader, they are often scattered.
Num 27:16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. *The shepherd is chosen by God and given this calling (not by man) to lead God’s people, not by driving them, not by ruling over them, but mainly by example, having a compassionate, nurturing spirit. .He is not to be exalted above the rest of the body.
Jer 31:10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, (take care of, provide support) as a shepherd doth his flock.*A shepherd that loves the flock will strive to keep the flock safely gathered together.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. *Notice here that the flock was not left alone, but were watched over, even at night.
Ps 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
*These scriptures are a good example of the love a shepherd has for the sheep and his duties toward them. The most important need of sheep is that they be fed and that they have drink. Sheep have to be led to pasture, whereas goats will search out the best feeding grounds for themselves. The shepherd will see to it that the flock is fed spiritually (taught), blessed spiritually, and that their needs are met. That’s not to say he is alone in this endeavor... remember, there is the five fold ministry set in the body of Christ.
Matt 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. *Here Jesus is speaking figuratively, calling the righteous ...sheep, and the unrighteous...goats. The shepherd tries to keep the sheep from evil.
Ezek 34:11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick:...*Here the Lord gives a good example of caring for the flock. Those that have a pastor's calling are innately concerned about the people and are compelled to care for them. The desire to rule or dictate would contradict the true heart of a pastor.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves(false teachers, preachers) enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
*It doesn’t matter if they can raise the dead; it they err from the Truth, don’t follow them!
1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:*notice here the word is plural
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre (money), but of a ready mind;*The elders are not your rulers or your judges. They should be examples unto the flock, teaching the Word.
3 Neither as being lords (masters)over God's heritage, but being ensamples(examples)to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd (Jesus) shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
*Elders can also have a pastor's calling. What sets pastors and elders apart? Elders are qualified to judge matters pertaining to all areas of the church, having lived long enough & to have walked with God long enough to have wisdom. Although pastors are also required to have wisdom, they are called to provide spiritual guidance & knowledge of the Word. Not all pastors are elders and not all elders are pastors. The scriptures do not limit the number of pastors or elders in any one body of believers.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, (one hired to tend to the flock)and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
*The hireling expects reward from man instead of God. The callings of God (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers) are not jobs or careers in the worldly sense. We should think it a privilege to serve God.
The routine of the shepherd’s duties (in the natural sense), appears to have been as follows: in the morning he led forth his flock from the fold which he did by going before them and calling to them. He watched the flock with the assistance of dogs and should any sheep stray, he had to search for it until he found it. He supplied them with water, either at a running stream, or at troughs attached to wells. At evening he brought them back to the fold, and reckoned with them to see that none were missing, and finally he watched the entrance of the fold throughout the night, acting as porter. The shepherd’s office thus required great watchfulness, particularly by night. It also required tenderness toward the young and feeble. Often he had to encounter the attacks of wild beasts, nor was he free from the risk of robbers. [Ungers Bible Dictionary]
We have learned the duties of a shepherd are:
*To see that the congregation learns what is needful to survive as a Christian
*To see that they are refreshed when weary, sick, afflicted, discouraged etc.
*To gather them together when lost, offended, or confused, to keep unity in the body
*To watch that wolves do not enter the flock to devour (false brothers, teachers etc.)
*To bind up their wounds and carry them if necessary (by showing compassion, praying with, and counseling)
*To lead them by example, and teaching
How can pastors do all this? By seeking God and remaining faithful, not thinking more highly of himself than he ought, but realizing he is a servant to God, for God is faithful to reward and show the shepherd what is needful for His flock. By teaching, preaching, and reproving when necessary. By visiting them that are scattered and encouraging them that are downcast, having the same care for all the sheep. Forgiving and forbearing, keeping an humble spirit, putting the flock’s needs first. The calling to be a shepherd can be very rewarding, and it is an honorable calling. Nowhere in the scriptures is it indicated that there is always only one person in the church body with the ‘calling’ of a pastor...on the contrary; he gives what is necessary for the ‘perfecting of the saints’ (Eph. 4:11-12.) A pastor is not above, nor is he head of the body, and should never be exalted as such. The calling of a pastor is not greater than any other calling in the church. Christ alone is head of the church! The elders have the oversight (supervision) of the church. The entire ministry should work together for the benefit of the body. All the gifts and callings work together for the edifying of the church.
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