HOW SHEEP BECOME SHEPHERDS
Murray had a little lamb…shouldn’t that be Mary? No, my brother Murray once had a lamb named Lambert that was white as snow and terribly cute. But then it grew up. And boy was it the stupidest animal ever. I had heard that sheep were dumb but this one was a prime example of dumbness.
Actually, he was quite the escape artist, always getting out of his pen or enclosure. Trouble was, he wanted desperately to get out and run away, but he always ended up in Murray’s garage, bewildered and lost. He could escape his pen but not the garage.
Sheep are dumb. They wander and stray. They eat things they shouldn’t and put themselves in harms way. And filthy, wow, they roll around in all kinds of garbage. When he was a lamb I enjoyed playing with Lambert; when he got older he was too filthy to touch.
Now you know very well that Jesus refers to us as sheep – you have to wonder about the implications of that metaphor. Are we as dumb as sheep? If the metaphor fits…I suppose there are a few similarities. Isn’t it odd then, that Jesus calls on sheep to be shepherds? In the world of domestic sheep it is highly unlikely that sheep will lead other sheep in an intelligent manner. They would probably mill around thinking someone’s in charge but it isn’t me.
The analogy isn’t perfect. We are His sheep and though we stray like literal sheep, we have a conscious relationship with the Good Shepherd. In this flock sheep do become shepherds or undershepherds to assist the Chief Shepherd. How do sheep become shepherds?
The Apostle Peter wrote these words to some elders of a church, he said: “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who will also share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
For sheep to become shepherds of God’s flock, they must be what Peter describes in his letter:
1. A Willingness To Accept The Call
Peter’s words are simple but express a pastoral heart and carry a serious challenge. A great trust is placed into the hands of human shepherds who are to pattern their lives after the Good Shepherd.
In his words “…not because you must, but because you are willing…” Peter speaks of the reason elders are to serve. There must be a desire, not a sense of compulsion or necessity (because no one else will do it), but because they freely choose to lead. They are not like drafted soldiers, they are volunteers who do not need to be urged to every task, but as running to put their hands to it, delighted at the opportunity.
I will never forget the various responses we received when we called on these candidates and offered them these ministries. Bob and Iris said “yes” right away; Gus and Hilde thought about it for a while; but it was Gary’s response that got me – do you remember – he said, I don’t want to but I will. At first it does not sound like willingness, but that’s because of the humility of this response. Gary did not feel like he was worthy of a title like “minister.” However, the calling he received was greater than his hesitation. He is willing to accept the call. So are the others – in great humility.
2. An Eagerness To Serve
Peter turns quickly from reason to motivation for undershepherds of God’s flock. “…not greedy for money, but eager to serve…”
This may seem a little comical when you think “How is a deacon going to get rich volunteering?” or “How can a minister fleece the sheep?” Okay, that last one has happened too much not to be true – especially in the case of Jim Bakker, whom we will not name here.
Peter is likely recalling Jesus’ words about the difference between a shepherd and a hired hand. A shepherd will stay and protect the sheep when trouble comes while the hired hand runs away. A leader who is eager to serve will not abandon his or her ministry opportunity, whereas the person who is seeking some personal reward will quickly assess the situation and say “forget it.”
When we left Crestview to come to Kleefeld, one lady in the congregation asked me, “So are they paying you more money?” And in fact, there wasn’t more money in coming here. There was only a $1000 difference in salary. What brought us here was a strong belief in God’s call to ministry here.
What motivates a leader? Exactly this, a sense of calling for one thing. Honestly, I have talked to many pastors who in crisis would have thrown in the towel and walked away from ministry. Except for one thing, God called them to their work and they love their flocks too much to just give up. Sometimes they do give up and walk away. To prevent that from happening here, I urge you to shower your leaders with encouraging words so that the calling in their hearts will blaze. You can never give a leader a fat head by telling them they’re doing a great job – there are too many deflating experiences to let that happen. So please, encourage these new leaders.
3. A Readiness To Set An Example
Peter then addresses the manner in which a leader ought to shepherd the flock: “…not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
We need sheep that will show other sheep how to be sheep. Not how to be destructive wolves or grumpy bears or stubborn old goats. There need to be sheep who demonstrate what it means to follow the Good Shepherd. Those who lord it over us are pushing the flock from behind, telling everyone what to think and where to go. The sheep that are called to lead other sheep will go in front of the flock and exemplify the life of Christ.
If we have forgotten what that looks like, we need only to remember the picture of Jesus on his knees, with a bowl and a towel, washing the feet of men who should be washing his feet. It’s a totally different outlook on leadership than what the world is used to. Our shepherding is modeled on Christ and the qualities he expressed in his person:
“Peter says to the leaders, “Shepherd your people like God.” Just as Israel is God’s special allotment, the people we have to serve in the church or anywhere else are our special allotment; and our whole attitude to them must be the attitude of God; we must shepherd like God. What a vision opens out! What an ideal! And what a condemnation! It is our task to show people the forbearance of God, the forgiveness of God, the seeking love of God, and the limitless service of God.” – William Barclay
You know something? Each of has a special allotment. You may have thought I was speaking to our new deacons and minister. Truly though, there are many more shepherds in our church. Anyone who leads a Bible Study
Heads a committee
Teaches a Sunday School class
Cares for another person
Preaches a message
Coordinates a Care Group
Parents a child
Works as a youth sponsor…
These people are shepherds. You are a shepherd in one form or another, leading people in a direction. Which way are you leading them?
These three couples today have been set aside, not to a higher calling – it is the same calling every believer receives in varying degrees – they have been set aside as individuals who have shown in their own lives that they have accepted God’s call, are eager to serve, and are ready to set an example for others to follow. We all have this calling, but some need to step out and be a few steps ahead of the flock so that we know where we are going.
The trouble with being a leader today is that you can’t be sure whether people are following you or chasing you. It’s not an easy job so let’s remember to pray for each other, and especially for these undershepherds who have taken a greater responsibility.
AMEN
