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| Battering the sheep of God! |
December 07, 2022
#shepherding
A man asked these questions:
- What is heavy shepherding?
- Examples of heavy shepherding?
- In contrast, is there light or no
shepherding? What are the examples?
- What are the biblical examples of good
spiritual shepherding?
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Thank you for asking these good questions.
Let me repeat (I have said this many times)
an important truth related to your excellent questions.
- The CHIEF manner an under-shepherd (a
pastor) shepherds the sheep of Christ (members of a local church under his
oversight) is the faithful preaching of the word of God. 2Tim 4:1-5.
- The CHIEF way in which the rule of Christ
is administered in a local church is through the preaching of His word; His
truth and His will are made known and applied to His sheep.
- “All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness.” The word faithfully preached is shepherding
rightly discharged
- The public ministry of the word may need to
be followed up/augmented by the personal ministry; some members may need to be
reminded personally what has been preached and speaks to their circumstances.
1. Heavy Shepherding
a. What is heavy shepherding?
- Heavy shepherding is lording over the
Lord’s people; infringing upon the liberty of church members.
- 1Pet 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: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy
lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage,
but being ensamples to the flock.
b. Examples of heavy shepherding?
There are endless examples…
- “Brother John, it’s time for you to retire;
resign and move to Penang.”
- “Brother Buoy, look for another job that
does not hinder you from the assembly of the saints.”
- “Brother Won, invite Errol home for
lunch.”
- “Brother… tell your wife to dress
decently.”
- “Sister, your dress hem should be 4 inches
below your knees…”
- Visiting homes of members unannounced/uninvited
to check on their family life.
- Checking with members how much they have
been giving.
- Using the pulpit to attack/pick on the
members personally, etc.
2. Is there light or no shepherding?
a. Yes. Neglecting to instruct the people to
embrace the doctrines and the practices of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not all
activities in a church equal/ amount to biblical shepherding.
b. What are the examples?
- Neglecting to exhort the non-resident
members to observe good churchmanship in a local church.
- Ignoring wayward church members.
- Sweeping under the carpet problems and
issues in the church.
Q3. What are the biblical examples of good
spiritual shepherding?
a. The epistles of the Apostles are great
examples of good spiritual shepherding…
- All the epistles deal with doctrines (what
the recipients ought to believe), and the applications of those doctrines (how
the recipients ought to conduct themselves, their duties to God, and fellow
believers.
- Real issues faced by the church are
discussed and resolved with the Bible’s authority.
I hope these help. You probably have some better ideas.
