My Dear Shepherds,
“I didn’t sign up for this!” That’s what an exasperated Elder Chair told me over the phone. I replied, “I hate to tell you this, but this is exactly what you signed up for. You just didn’t realize it.” His headache was over tensions on their board, a fairly minor frustration compared to what many elders and pastors face. (Can I get an amen?)
Most of us come to church leadership with a sense of optimism and enthusiasm. The Lord Jesus called us to this flock and we’re eager to help them grow. So, we clarify our church’s vision, plan our sermons, train workers, and invest in fruitful programs. What we don’t typically plan for is hardships—sorrows, departures, unemployment, conflicts, opposition, and “the powers of this dark world.”
But whether we ever thought about it or not, that is what we signed up for. And sooner or later, one way or another, that is when our people need us most.
Peter wrote his first epistle to believers who “had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” After writing encouragement and instruction to the whole church, he had a personal word for their leaders:
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed …” (1 Pet. 5:1)
Peter leaned into his kinship with them rather than his apostolic authority: “Take it from a brother who has carried the weight of churches for a long time.” But what was even more important was that he was a witness of Christ’s sufferings, not just the horrors, but the triumph of the Cross over death and the devil. Ever after, suffering in Christ produces “faith of greater worth than gold.”
What’s more—much more—Peter had also witnessed a glimpse of “the glory to be revealed.” He’d seen Jesus transfigured! He’d fellowshipped with the risen and immortal Lord! Jesus had ascended into heaven before his very eyes! Peter had just written, “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (4:13).
When our people are hard-pressed, whether one or all, they need leaders who have been schooled in Jesus’ death and glory. Before helping them, we may need to fortify our faith through the Word and prayer, alone and together with other elders, to get our spiritual bearings. Any help or sympathy we offer apart from that is fruitless.
So, when our flock faces hardship (as well as when things are going great), what is expected of us?
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care …” (v. 2).
It’s that simple. Peter passed down to us the charge he’d received from Jesus: “Feed my lambs. … Take care of my sheep. … Feed my sheep.” Do that. Nothing more. Nothing less.
These days, pastors have all kinds of specialties—children, worship, care-giving, preaching, and so on. Some solo shepherds are sort of pastors of everything. Either way, Peter wouldn’t change a word of his command.
When people are hurting, wayward, or hungry, we may well feel inadequate. But what they most need from us, and what Jesus has equipped us to do, is to be their shepherd!
To carry lambs in our arms. To lead the flock to green pastures. To keep cantankerous sheep from head-butting each other or selfishly muddying up the drinking water. To drive off predators and rescue lost sheep. To walk with them through life’s darkest valleys. And to lead them gently home.
Be ye glad!
