What It Means to Shepherd Well

By Dennis Henderson

Honoring the Pastor Who Shepherds Well

In biblical times, shepherding was typically considered a lowly occupation. The Egyptians despised shepherds. Throughout Israel’s history, shepherds played a vital economic role: they provided milk, meat, wool, hides, horns, and sacrifices for temple offerings. The Bible records that some owned large flocks of sheep that added to their wealth, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others. The rich, who had large flocks, would hire shepherds for minimal wages. An excellent sheep could sell for more than the shepherds’ monthly wages.

The shepherd’s life was tremendously difficult. They experienced extreme weather. They would seldom leave their sheep. They would remain with them 24 hours a day to protect them from predators. They moved their flocks from place to place, seeking food as they dealt with parched land and scarce pools of water. Sheep would wander to dangerous places, and many times the shepherd would endanger his own life for his sheep. Pages could be written about the simple and difficult life of a shepherd. It was never glamorous; it was normally grueling. The sheep were the focus, not the comfort of the shepherd.

What Does It Mean for a Pastor to Be a Shepherd?

The shepherd’s life throughout the New Testament is the picture used to describe what we call a pastor today. The Greek word used in many places to describe the role of pastor is poimen, meaning shepherd, one who cares for and tends a flock. With that picture in mind, may we remember this biblical context for our pastors who serve in places and churches that may never be known until the chief Shepherd appears and awards them an unfading crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4).

The Biblical Role of a Pastor

In 1966, I was hired for my first role on a pastoral staff. Then, the role of a pastor still had a biblical “feel.” Proclaiming the gospel, rightly dividing the word of truth, and feeding the flock were associated with a pastor’s responsibilities when he stood on Sunday. Sometimes the congregation would hear messages of nourishment and encouragement, and other times messages of correction and reproof, to train them in righteousness and equip them for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). The church would sense true care and protection, and their pastor would keep watch over their souls and even lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11). I remembered many times as a young pastor Peter’s words that were taught to me: “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly: not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2,3). The job was never easy at any time in history, but it seemed simpler in days past.

It has been said by the late Peter Drucker, known as the guru of leadership in the 20th century, that being a pastor is one of the four hardest jobs in America.

Pastoring Is More Than Preaching

Pastoring has always been more than studying and sermons. It has involved dealing with broken people who have arguments, divorces, prodigal children, addictions, sickness, and loss of loved ones. A pastor feels the pressure of home as his family lives in a fishbowl. Many pastors are underpaid, stretching a dollar to care for their own families. The list could go on, as it has been said by the late Peter Drucker, known as the guru of leadership in the 20^th century, that being a pastor is one of the four hardest jobs in America.

I remember the 1980s, when a drift took hold. A wave of gatherings broke out across the nation. Megachurch pastors glamorized the seeker-friendly church at conferences, focusing on numerical growth, with exorbitant budgets and magnificent buildings that looked like shopping malls. Thousands of tired pastors, wanting a sense of success in the eyes of man, shifted their thinking from servant and shepherd to manager and executive. Demographics and market strategies replaced long hours of prayer and the ministry of the word. The pulpit and the Bible shifted to a stage with lights, perfect sound systems, and services made comfortable and entertaining so people would return and the numbers would prove success.

Shepherds Rather Than Celebrities

So where are we today? The shepherd pastor was lost in the noise that drowned out the biblical role of a pastor. Yes, there are some megachurches, but the larger picture of America is the church’s continual numerical decline and its diminishing impact on our culture. In so many cases, the biblical role of a “shepherd pastor” has been lost. We should uplift God’s call to men of God to be shepherds rather than celebrities. We need to celebrate pastors who lead as shepherds, living God-dependent lives, honoring the word of God with love for their flocks, and praying and grieving for their flock and the lost community around them.

We should uplift God’s call to men of God to be shepherds rather than celebrities.

How to Honor a Pastor Who Shepherds Well

Pastor Appreciation Month should be every month, as the shepherd’s job is constant, with little rest. Honor your shepherd who cares for your soul. Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) tells us, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

Thank God for your pastor. Pray for your pastor each day. Send him notes of encouragement and words of thanks. Remember, the role of a shepherd is never easy. Sheep need feeding, protection, care, and a watchful eye for wolves that may come among the flock.

^“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:28-30).

Thank God for your pastor. Pray for your pastor each day. Send him notes of encouragement and words of thanks. Remember, the role of a shepherd is never easy.