Note To Self (and other pastors)

The Greek word translated “pastor” is poimen, also the word for shepherd.  New Testament writers were tapping into a well-known Hebrew (Old Testament) idiom for a person who would be a spiritual leader over God’s people.  The Old Testament has much to say to shepherds.  The book of Zechariah, especially, contains some poignant shepherd-admonitions.  Today, in my daily study, I came to chapter eleven, verse sixteen.

For behold, I am going to raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for the perishing, seek the scattered, heal the broken, or sustain the one standing, but will devour the flesh of the fat sheep and tear off their hoofs.  Zechariah 11:16 (NASB95)

Here, God is threatening to raise up bad leadership as a form of discipline, but in this we can assume the opposite would be God’s idea of a good shepherd.  This is a great reminder for me and anyone else in pastoral leadership.  According to this verse:

A good shepherd/pastor will:

1.) care for the perishing,

2.) seek the scattered,

3.) heal the broken,

4.) sustain the one standing, and

5.) cherish (not exploit) the strong.

One could write a sermon on each of these phrases, but I’ll leave it at that.  Thank you, Lord, for this sobering reminder and the fulfillment that comes in doing your work.