Pastor as Shepherd

We continue our series, looking at different roles that pastor’s fill in congregations. Today, we look at the pastor as the shepherd of the flock. Remember…we are entering the land of metaphor here: the pastor is no more a literal shepherd than you are literally sheep! (not so baaaad!)

The Old Testament often depicts religious leaders as shepherds of God’s flock. Ezekiel 34 is a great example: God is upset with the “shepherds of Israel” and declares that he will remove them and God will become the new shepherd.

The New Testament also depicts spiritual leaders as shepherds of God’s flock. Jesus describes himself as the “Good Shepherd” who lays down his life for his sheep. He also tells stories about a shepherd who leaves everything in order to search for that one lost lamb. He says that his sheep know his voice and they follow him.

Some people think that a shepherd is an appropriate image for what a pastor should be, because a shepherd leads, feeds, comforts, corrects, and protects the sheep under his care. They maintain that the same responsibilities belong to every church leader. In fact, the

word pastor means shepherd.

Did you know that there is also a dark side to shepherds? They would sometimes have to “discipline” their sheep. They might break a leg to hobble a sheep who had a tendency to wander. Every year, they would have to wean lambs off their mothers (very unpopular!). And shepherds worked mostly without supervision so they sometimes stole wool, lambs and milk

and sold it in order to make a little extra on the side.

The shepherding role is an important one to aspire to as a parish pastor, but how many pastors are willing to give up their life for their sheep? When the big bad wolf shows up, who will be sacrificed? When the sheep become too much to handle (they wander off a lot!!!) who says the shepherd will stick around, or go off into the wilderness to find them?

It’s important to remember that genuine ministry is hard work. It demands initiative, diligence, patience and perseverance. Moreover, it requires the humble perspective of a servant. That is what it means to be a shepherd. Yet the task is more than worth the effort.

And let’s not forget that those adorable sheep play an important role in the work of a shepherd. Literal sheep are quite passive and ignorant. Congregation members are called to discipleship which means passivity and ignorance are discouraged. The pastor may be a good shepherd but a congregation (flock) will not thrive if the ‘sheep’ simply graze.

Blessings and joy!

Pr Mike