THE ROLE OF THE PASTOR AND SHEEP John 10 - We live in a time of crisis spiritual identity. The relativity of the concepts has confused things in society. Many people fail to define their role or even your own personality. So there is much confusion in the churches doing what people do not understand their role in the body of Christ. Jesus told this parable of the Good Shepherd, speaking of himself and his herd to drive standards both as pastor of the sheep in the churches. Lets look through the words of Jesus which is the role of the shepherd and the sheep: 1 - Role of the Pastor: Jesus is the shepherd model we should follow. Although there are things that only Jesus could have done, as to die for us, all we did is the example that guides us to the care of lives. The word pastor means one who looks after a herd. In the middle ages the spiritual leaders were called healing of the soul and nicknamed cure for the role exerted by taking care of lives. The duties of a minister, according to the words of Jesus are: 1) Enter the door (v.2): The shepherd and sheep is also accountable to their leader. Enter through the door means that becoming a pastor, went through the legal process offered by the church, this is an election, theological course, appointment and especially be consecrated by a superior. To grow in ministry do not need to skip the window by a division or being rebellious against their leader. Try hitting the door and walk in a manner worthy without going over anyone. 2) Know the sheep by name (v. 3 and 14): To be a pastor you need to know the sheep. A leader who does not know the name of his teammates, never been in your home and not part of your life, you can be a manager and not a shepherd. The relationship of the shepherd with the sheep is like part of the family. Often the pastor is so full of administrative tasks that can not take time to be with his sheep. 3) Conduct the sheep (v.3c): As spiritual leader, the pastor is a driver for his sheep. The image here is the shepherd of the flock behind playing them out of the corral. This is the time when the shepherd points out the direction for the people. Unfortunately there are many models of churches where leadership is leading the church and the pastor and also driven by the decisions of this group. Who has spiritual authority over the church to drive your decisions is the pastor. As a man of God, Pastor receives the Lords guidance for his people. 4) Go ahead sheep (v.4): In another moment the shepherd of the sheep pass over so they can see it and move in the right direction where to go. As a leader, the pastor is the example to be followed in the church. If the pastor is a man of prayer, the church prays if the church sees the shepherd taking care of lives, the people also cares. The church is the mirror of his pastor and follow his example. What the pastor is worth more than his words from the pulpit. 5) Dedicate your life for the sheep (v.11): The life of a pastor is dedicated to his sheep. Only Jesus gave his life for our salvation and no one else can do it, but this is an example of dedication to be followed by spiritual leaders. So Jeremiah warns the pastors that feed themselves (Jeremiah 23:1-4). When you surrender to the ministry, the pastor leaves everything for the sake of winning souls for God. 6) Never leave your sheep (v.12, 13): Jesus makes clear the difference between a mercenary and a pastor. The mercenary seeks his interest and when not to get what you want or when facing some risk, then flees leaving the herd. But the true shepherd cares for his flock even more when you realize the dangerous situations, coming to risk for his sheep. It is the most difficult moments of peoples lives that the pastor and this shows actually gains the respect of the people. 7) do not distinguish people (v.16): The pastor should serve the entire community in addition to those in the church who are other sheep not of this fold and work for the unity of the people to be one flock and one shepherd. For this, the pastor can not distinguish people inside or outside the church. For the shepherd, sheep and all are souls to be won to the Lord. If the pastor is limited to serving only one group loses the chance to claim many lives. When the pastor exercises his ministry following the example of Jesus, even if it is very difficult, all you do is approved by God. So Jesus becomes real and supreme shepherd and bishop of your souls (I Peter 2:25). Be a shepherd according to the example of Jesus! 2 - Role of Sheep: Who knows sheep, know that an animal is docile and tame. In addition, the sheep cling to human trusting in giving directions. Sheep are animals that need guidance, for they know not taking care of themselves. Also before predators are fragile and can not defend themselves, so they can not live without the care of a pastor. The powers of old, according to the words of Jesus are: 1) Listen to the voice of the shepherd (v.3): The sheep hear the voice of their shepherd. Listening is more than just listening. Listening means understanding. The sheep go to church to learn something and the pastor is Gods channel to convey this message. Therefore, the sheep must accept the voice of their pastor as a vehicle for delivery of your Divine Word. When the pastor speaks the sheep must listen carefully. 2) Follow the guidance of the pastor (v.4): The sheep must follow the guidance of the pastor. There are people who want to rule the pastor and tell you what to do. Everyone can talk and advise the pastor, ideas that can be done, but the direction of the pastor must be obeyed. Many people only want to hear good things and when the pastor are urged not accept. But the pastor has the authority to fix the herd with the rod and staff and this should be considered as a consolation for the sheep (Psalm 23:4). 3) Recognize the voice of the shepherd (v.4): Among all the noise and mooing herd the sheep can recognize the shepherds voice. The diversity of churches is so large that it is difficult to establish a pattern. Every church and every pastor, thinks and speaks in a different way. Then the sheep need to discern the voice of their pastor not to get confused. Who is walking from church to church and pastor chooses which will hear, ends in confusion and lost along the way. 4) Do not follow or listen to strangers (v. 5 and 8): A sheep does not meet the guidance of strangers. This is very important because there are many false prophets (Matthew 7:15). Unfortunately many churches prefer to hear preachers from outside, who are often strangers community. These preachers teach and see what they want for the sheep and then go away, but who gets to fight his flock and resolve conflicts is the pastor. The true sheep hear the voice of their shepherd and not strangers. 5) Accept the food offered by the pastor (v. 9): The sheep grazing seeks and finds offered by the pastor. Psalm 23 says that the sheep do not miss anything, being led into green pastures and still waters. Like every pastor seeks to give the best food for his flock, the sheep must also accept the supply given by the pastor. When looking at the sheep pasture neighbor and tries to eat away from your pastor, then she loses. Many sheep are injured, lost or malnourished because they do not accept the food offered by the pastor. 6) Know your one shepherd (v.16): As the pastor must know his sheep, they should also know their shepherd, so there is one flock and one shepherd. Even if you have several spiritual leaders, the sheep must recognize as its only pastor, who is taking care of your spiritual life. Many sheep are following pastors television, though that is a blessing. Your pastor is one who visits you, Minister supper, and advises the difficult times you call it. 7) Believe in the Shepherd (v.26): Jesus said that the Pharisees were not sheep because they did not believe him. What makes a person a sheep is to give credence to what the pastor says. Sheep do not believe in suspicious pastor. There are people who are so demanding that not give credence to your pastor. The sheep need to trust the shepherd to confide her personal life and he could care for his wounds. Knowing that someone is looking out for us is something that comforts our hearts. In todays world, the face of freedom and individualism proposed by society, become sheep is a major challenge. Since sharing personal issues to accept the correction of the leader requires a huge effort for those who want to be sheep. If each sheep following these guidelines, the church life becomes much easier. Be a sheep gentle with your pastor! Assume their role as sheep or shepherd! -CONCLUSION: The religious commerce has made many pastors, executive officers of churches and some end up being swayed by financial interests. Moreover, the religious transit has caused a constant change of the church among the people. Everyone is familiar with the trade competition and buy whatever you want, whenever and wherever. This is reflected in the behavior of many believers. The person goes to church that suits you and if something bother you, then look for another. Who does that stop being sheep not to undergo care of one pastor.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 03:16:20 +0000