PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Being a Shepherd
It has always been my understanding that my calling was to be a pastor, to shepherd the flock. At a recent monthly fellowship gathering of CAC ministers, two speakers from
Indeed, all who believe in Christ Jesus are His sheep. This is clearly affirmed in the Bible’s famous “pastoral passage” - John 10 (v 11, 14-15, 26-27). In saying that we preachers are also our Lord’s sheep, is to remind us of our role as church pastors. We are not to become the “shepherd” in the lives of the believers, for this may encourage them to depend on us instead of trusting the Lord Jesus. In fact, we should not think that we are able to meet all their needs or solve their problems. Only Jesus Christ can. As pastors, we are not to be domineering leaders, but serve with humility and be a servant-leader like our Lord.
However, I believe that as pastors we are called by Christ Jesus to be “shepherd” and to feed the flock He entrusts in our care (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1Peter 5:1-4). Our responsibility, therefore, is to be faithful in our service. We must fulfil the pastoral tasks with all our heart, soul and spirit, caring for, healing and leading our flock. Even as we serve as “shepherds” let us remind ourselves to follow the Lord’s example and be one who is willing to lay down his life for his sheep, and be a good example to the flock. If we should fail in our role as shepherd or lose the will to continue as one, our sheep will not be well cared for. Our Lord God declares that He is against these shepherds and will require them to cease from feeding the flock (Ezekiel 34:10).
I was, indeed, refreshed in my identity as a pastor at the fellowship gathering - like all the brothers and sisters who are my flock, I am a sheep of the Lord and He is our true Shepherd. At the same time, I remain convinced that I have been called by my Lord to follow Him and to be a good “shepherd” like Him.