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In God’s modern-day movement, the Evangelist of any congregation can be thought of as the tip of an arrow leading the way into battle, much as the point of an arrow finds its victim with great force and determination. In conjunction with this analogy, the Shepherds of the congregation can be equated to the fletching of the arrow, or the veins at the end of the arrow. They cause the arrow to spin similar to a rifle bullet, providing stability and accuracy in flight. Shepherding God’s people is a crucial role for those who have been called to lead in God’s Kingdom. The word “shepherd” is often used in the Bible to describe those who have been called to lead and care for God’s people with accuracy and stability. The role of a shepherd is to guide, protect, and nurture the flock, just as a shepherd cares for his sheep and fletching guides the arrow.

One of the most well-known passages about shepherding is found in the book of Ezekiel, where God speaks to the prophet about the responsibility of shepherds to care for His people:

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool, and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.’ “ (Ezekiel 34:2-6)

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This passage speaks to the incredible and challenging obligation of shepherds to care for the physical and spiritual needs of their flock. They are called to strengthen the weak, heal the sick, and bind up the injured. They are also responsible for bringing back strays and searching for the lost. When a disciple decides to walk away from God’s Kingdom, the responsibility falls on the Bible Talk Leader and the Region Leader, but to a larger degree on the shepherds watching over God’s flock.

In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). He is the ultimate example of what it means to shepherd God’s people with love and self-sacrifice. As Christian leaders, it is important to follow the example of Jesus and shepherd God’s people with great love and care. This means being willing to spend time with people, listening to their needs, and helping them grow in their faith. It also means being willing to correct and guide them when necessary and to lead by example in living a life that is pleasing to God. Shepherds of God’s people have the opportunity to inspire and encourage others in their faith. One way that shepherds can inspire others is through their own personal example (1 Peter 5:3). When leaders live out their faith in a genuine and authentic manner, they become powerful witnesses to those around them. This means living a life that is characterized by love, compassion, humility, and service to others – a life guided by God’s fletching of mercy and grace. It also means being honest and transparent about their own struggles and victories in their faith, as this can help others feel more connected and supported in their own journey.

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Shepherds inspire others in their walk with God (1 Timothy 1:15-17). This is demonstrated through the way they teach and share the Word of God. When leaders are passionate about the Bible and are able to teach its truths in a way that is relevant and applicable to people’s lives, it can be incredibly inspiring and encouraging. It can also help others to grow in their understanding of God’s unconditional love, and to respect and love God’s Word. Shepherds also inspire others through the way they pray for and encourage those in their care. When leaders take the time to pray for and encourage others, it can be a source of strength and hope for those who are struggling. It can also inspire others to follow their example and be more intentional in praying for and encouraging those around them. Shepherds inspire others through their compassion and care for those in need. When leaders are willing to go out of their way to serve and help others, being hospitable and entertaining strangers, they can be powerful witnesses to the love of Christ. It can also inspire others to follow their example and show compassion and care for those around them. Shepherding God’s people is not without its challenges. Some challenges that shepherds may face include:

1. Balancing shepherding care with leadership responsibilities: As a shepherd, you may be called to provide pastoral care to individuals in your community, which can include counseling, prayer, and support. Balancing the needs of the family of believers and the community we are living in and having an impact on, together with the care for our immediate families can be challenging and will require careful time management and prioritization.

2. Dealing with conflict: Conflict is a normal part of life and will arise in any community, including the community of believers. As a shepherd, you will be called to mediate conflicts and help people work through their differences in a healthy and constructive way using God’s Word. This can be a challenging and emotionally draining task, especially if the conflict is particularly intense or longstanding.

3. Leading Leaders: Shepherds also have the responsibility of caring for each other and other leaders in their congregations. Assisting leaders in excelling in their responsibilities through accountability and counseling, listening and comforting at times, and strengthening family bonds of marriage and parenting adds another layer of service to the devoted shepherd. In many ways, this is where the arrow’s fletching becomes so crucial.

4. Dealing with criticism and rejection: As a leader, you may encounter criticism and rejection from time to time. It is important to remember that we are not called to please everyone, but rather to be faithful to God and His calling in our life. It is imperative that the shepherd always stay humble and teachable during these times. A strong support system and deep relationships are essential to help process any negative feedback received.

5. Leading in a rapidly changing world: The world is constantly changing, and this can bring new challenges and opportunities for God’s church. As a shepherd, you may be called to lead your work or neighborhood community through times of change and help people navigate these challenges in a way that demonstrates to others the importance of faith in God’s Word.

6. Maintaining your own spiritual health: Shepherding God’s people requires a great deal of time and energy, and it can be easy to get caught up in the demands of the role. It is imperative for shepherds to prioritize their own spiritual health and make time for prayer, Bible study, time with their spouse and children, and rest in order to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy balance in their lives.

The Bible speaks frequently about the importance of integrity in a Shepherd’s life. For example, Psalm 15:2, says, “He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks the truth in his heart.” Proverbs 11:3, says, “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” These passages highlight the importance of living a life of integrity, and the consequences of failing to do so.

As shepherds of God’s people, it is essential to lead with integrity. This means being honest and truthful in our words and actions and living in a way consistent with our faith (John 1:17). It also means being willing to admit when we have made mistakes and taking the steps to make things right.

Having integrity as shepherds means being good stewards of the resources that have been entrusted to them (1 Peter 4:10). This entails first and foremost the responsibility to our families, financial resources, as well as the time, talents, and gifts of those in our care. It means being responsible and accountable for the way we use these resources and being transparent in our decision-making.

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Finally, having integrity as a shepherd means being willing to hold ourselves to high standards of conduct and being examples of what it means to follow Jesus (1 Peter 5:1-3). We must be examples of disciples who are willing to ‘go anywhere, do anything and give up everything’ to further the Kingdom of God. This means living lives that are pleasing to God and being willing to follow the lead of the Spirit even when it is difficult or unpopular. The call for shepherds with integrity is a strong and important one in Christ’s church. It means being honest, truthful, and consistent in our words and actions, being good stewards of the resources entrusted to us, and being willing to hold ourselves accountable to the biblical standards of heart and conduct as examples of what it means to follow Jesus.

In the Bible, God calls both men and women to serve as shepherds and leaders of His people. The call to shepherd God’s people is a call for all believers to serve and lead others in a way that honors God and reflects His love and grace. This can take many forms, such as serving in a church leadership role, mentoring and discipling others, or simply being a supportive and encouraging presence in the lives of those around us. Regardless of our specific role or calling, we are all called to be faithful stewards of the gifts and talents God has given us and to use them to serve others. This is especially true for those called to be Shepherds in God’s eternal kingdom. They truly are the fletching of the arrow.

Much Love and Much Respect,

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Roger B. Parlour

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