Caring, protective leaders is one of the greatest needs today.
As elders, we are simply under-shepherds of the Chief Shepherd. There is no greater example of shepherding than that which the Lord provides in His capacity as “the good shepherd [that] lays down His life for the sheep.” In John 10, the Lord describes His model of how to shepherd the flock. His relationship to the sheep is characterized in three ways.
Intimacy
In John 10:3, the shepherd “calls His own sheep by name.” How is this possible? Clearly, in order to call sheep in such a personal manner, the shepherd has spent much time with his flock. He has seen these little lambs struggle, cry, feed, and grow into mature sheep. Do the saints in our local assembly enjoy this kind of intimate relationship with the elders? As shepherds, do we know the sheep, their homes, their marriages, their children, the challenges of their work place, their spiritual gifts? This personal acquaintance with believers cannot be left to a passing exchange on Sunday morning. It is cultivated by time spent with the sheep, whether over coffee at a local restaurant, a meal in a home, a conversation over the phone, or an impromptu get-together to pray.
By the way, elders whose time is consumed in the pursuit of personal enterprise or in the administrative affairs of their assembly will have a great deal of difficulty achieving this standard of intimacy with the other believers. Sadly, there are many sheep that have never even been in the home of an elder. The Lord could say, “I know My own.”
Leadership
Leadership is another aspect of the work of the shepherd of John 10: “…He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.” The sheep look to the shepherd for direction. Notice that his ability to lead is closely tied to how intimately the shepherd knows the sheep: “…the sheep follow Him because they know His voice” (Jn. 10:4). Just as the sheep listen for the familiar voice of the shepherd and follow his leading, so, too, believers are looking to their elders to give direction both by example and by word. This speaks to the conduct of the elder and the emphasis of spiritual priorities in his life. His life is being closely scrutinized by the believers, and they will take their cues from him. It also speaks to the thoughtful provision of sound, systematic teaching in the life of the local church. Leadership that is in tune with the issues and challenges facing the flock will be able to bring the Word of God to bear on these matters in a sensitive and thoughtful manner. Elders who lead in this way will set the spiritual tone for the local saints.
Protection
Having called and led the sheep out of the fold, the shepherd in John 10 is now described as “going ahead of them.” The idea is distinct from that of his leading them. The shepherd goes ahead, anticipating dangers inherent with the rugged landscape his sheep will have to traverse. He is constantly vigilant for the many predators that lurk about seeking a stray or weak member of the flock.
Elders are to protect God’s people. Paul, in addressing the elders gathered at Mellitus, speaks of the necessity of guarding the flock against those “savage wolves who would come from without.” An obvious false teacher is not difficult to spot. But even greater discernment is required to protect the flock from dangers within: unwholesome conduct, a word of gossip, human jealousy, unforgiving spirits, etc. These act like leaven and sow discord between believers, hindering fellowship. Elders might do a great job taking on the savage wolves without, but lack a willingness to forthrightly address these issues within.
Another aspect of this protection is seen in the example of the shepherd in Christ’s parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15. We read there that “he goes after the one which is lost until he finds it.” It is a great sense of responsibility to protect the sheep that leads him to leave the 99 (obviously in capable hands) and go after the one lost one. It is true in the local assembly that “out of sight, out of mind.” Many a believer who feels unconnected, isolated, and lonely slowly drifts away from the fellowship of the Christians and into the welcoming arms of worldly associations. As shepherds, we not only have to protect the entire flock but also look out for the spiritual welfare of the individual sheep.
Let the principles from the master Shepherd and His relationship to the sheep guide us in our service.