Shepherding the Flock

Recently those of us who are frequent flyers were mortified to hear of Northwest Airlines flight 188. The Airbus 320 jet with two pilots, three flight attendants and 144 passengers traveling from San Diego to Minneapolis flew 150 miles past the Minneapolis airport despite frantic efforts by air traffic controllers to make contact with the pilots. When questioned later, the pilots explained that they had been in the midst of a heated discussion about airline policy and had failed to hear the messages from air traffic control and had not noticed the lights flashing signals to them in the cockpit. Of course we all like to assume that those who are leading us are focused on their task and on the mission before them, yet sadly, it is often true that our leaders are focusing on the wrong things.

The apostle Peter gave this wise counsel to church leaders: “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you . . .” Peter, of all people, understood the heart of Jesus on this matter. When Jesus restored His fallen disciple, rather than rebuking him, Jesus commanded: Feed My sheep . . . Tend My sheep . . . Feed My sheep (John 21:15-17). If you have the heart of Christ you will love His sheep!

I am seeing a disturbing trend among many pastors and church leaders today. Many people are taking the role of pastor without having a love for their sheep. I have had several pastors explain to me their frustration of having to attend church meetings when they would rather be out in the community reaching the lost. Others cloister themselves in their studies and resent having to visit church members in the hospital. Even worse are those pastors who constantly critique their people for not being what they should be and only become passionate when they are speaking about their golf game, hobbies or financial investments. Still other church leaders are distracted by theological debates or political or economic concerns or gaining denominational positions but are unconcerned about the spiritual condition of their church members.

This is an abuse of their office. Pastors are called to be shepherds. I have told more than one pastor who resented taking time to meet or pray with their people because it took away from their time to do direct evangelism that they should resign their job as pastor and begin their own evangelistic ministry. And those who love to preach but not to pastor should resign their job at their church and commence an itinerant preaching ministry. Scripture has some scathing indictments upon those who held the office of spiritual shepherd but who neglected the duties of their office (Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34). God said He would hold negligent shepherds accountable for how they cared for the sheep entrusted to them (Ezekiel 34:10). Too many pastors do not have a shepherd’s heart.

There are those who are giving up on the church. Whenever I hear a pastor condemning the state of the church I know they are condemning themselves. For it is the pastors’ responsibility to lead God’s people to the place they ought to be. When you find unhealthy sheep, the first person you look for is the shepherd. I believe revival could come if every person called to shepherd God’s people would diligently tend the flock entrusted to them.

A helpful little book in this regard is: The way of the Shepherd by Kevin Leman and William Pentak. It is primarily written to business people but has much application for church leaders as well.

Travel

This past month was one of the busiest I have had. I had the privilege of working with two groups of Christian CEOs in Dallas. Then I spoke with my father in revival meetings in Ireland and The Netherlands. God is at work in both countries! Be praying for those who are seeking to turn their people back into an intimate, personal walk with Christ. I also spoke at a meeting in Mexico City of Christian organizations and ministries. There is a growing number of evangelicals in Mexico (somewhere around 5% of the population). They are making significant inroads and could use your prayers! I finished the month meeting with a group of Christian CEOs in Colorado Springs. It is always encouraging to hear how God is working among business leaders in North America. These are talented, committed Christians who understand that God has called them to their places of business and God intends to use them from that position to build His kingdom.

Richard speaking in the Netherlands (October 2009)

Reading

I have been doing a lot of reading lately. Just read great biographies on Hannibal and Genghis Khan! Also, some interesting leadership books. Tribes by Seth Godin is interesting thinking in terms of how to lead in the 21st century. I also recently read Jim Collins’ book, How the Mighty Fall which addresses why seemingly great companies can plummet so quickly at times. A new book hot off the press which is also very good for business leaders is Derailed: Five Lessons Learned from Catastrophic Failures of Leadership by Tim Irwin. This looks at how seemingly talented and successful business leaders can experience dismal failure due to character issues. A great book, especially for business leaders.

I pray that as you enter into the month of November that you will truly have a thankful heart for all God has done in your life. A God-focused life cannot help but be filled with gratitude!

Posted by Richard Blackaby at 10:03 am