#SO SAYETH THE SHEPHERD HOW TO#

Submit & Be at Peace: The third responsibility of the congregation is to submit to and be at peace with church leaders. Pastors are not perfect and are also on the journey of sanctification, just like the congregation. This might mean overlooking some of your pastorsвЂ™ shortcomings (not sins). They must keep in mind what work they have been called to do. This is not honoring to the Lord.Д®steem: The sheep are also to вЂњesteem them highly in love because of their work.вЂќ The congregation must have a loving attitude toward all their pastors. It is common for people to be unkind, critical, or indifferent toward their pastors. Respect should extend to attitudes and words spoken. This means that they are to appreciate that God has given them a real human shepherd to watch over and care for their souls (Heb 13:17). Respect: The congregation is called to understand clearly what God expects of their pastors and as a result they are to respect them. They have three responsibilities toward their leaders: 1) respect their leaders, 2) esteem their leaders, and 3) submit to and be at peace with their leaders. They are called by God to relate to their pastors and elders in a particular manner that would bring honor to the Lord.

The sheep, or congregation, also have responsibilities in the church designed by God. He must speak вЂњthus sayeth the LordвЂќ and if he is a good shepherd will always point his congregation back to the Word of God exhorting them not to obey him, but rather to obey the Lord. Since he loves his congregation, he should admonish them to follow the Lord wholeheartedly. It is not popular today, but the pastor must speak directly and frankly with those in his congregation. This instruction is given for the purpose of correcting, and sometimes warning people (Tit 1:9). He only has the authority to lead as the Word of God directs.ДЄdmonish: Shepherds are also called to admonish, or give instruction, to the congregation. This is what it means to be over others вЂњin the Lord.вЂќ The authority of the pastor is not self-proclaimed. But the pastors and elders stand in the place of the Good Shepherd and must act as faithful representatives. This does not mean he can do whatever he wants or fulfill his every preference. Paul says they are вЂњover you in the Lord.вЂќ The New American Standard translates that phrase вЂњhave charge over.вЂќ According to GodвЂ™s design, the pastor has authority in the church to preside, lead or direct the ministries in the way he sees will best accomplish the mission of the church. Oversee:The pastors and elders also have the responsibility to oversee the congregation and the ministry. Every pastor must have a servantвЂ™s heart ready to pour out his life night and day for the sake of the Gospel (1 Thess 2:9).

The pastor has a high calling to diligently minister in the church and work hard (acts 20:18-20). Contrary to what some jokingly say, the pastor must work more than вЂњone day a week.вЂќ He is responsible for preaching, teaching, caring, admonishing, counseling and so much more. The word here for labor describes great effort and exertion to the point of sweat and exhaustion. Labor:The pastors and elder leaders of the church are called to labor diligently. He is responsible to 1) labor, 2) oversee, and 3) admonish the congregation. He has three responsibilities in his calling. The Shepherd Pastor is called by God to care for the sheep of the congregation. Be at peace among yourselves.вЂќ (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) вЂњWe ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

His first and primary concern was to describe the expectations and responsibilities of how a pastor is to relate to the congregation and how the congregation is to relate to the pastors.

#SO SAYETH THE SHEPHERD HOW TO#

The Apostle Paul closes his letter to the Thessalonians and gives them instructions on how to cultivate a healthy church. Unhealthy churches can not only be stressful and unpleasant, but worst of all they dishonor the Lord and give a bad witness to the world. She had never experienced strong biblical loving leadership and a congregation that honored and respected their pastors. She had come to the place where she never wanted to go to church again. She saw вЂњchurch peopleвЂќ act very self-centered. Her father was a pastor and was mistreated and disrespected. A young woman came into my office several years ago and conveyed to me that she had never been a part of a healthy church.

So sayeth the shepherd