The Shepherd - Part three

We're unpacking some thoughts based upon ideas from Tim Laniak who writes about the primary biblical image of a leader being a shepherd. He make the point that we have three key roles: leading, feeding and protecting those under our care.

The shepherd leads and feeds. But a good shepherd also protects the flock from outside attack and sometimes even from themselves.

The shepherd as protector

A shepherd in Jesus day was well trained in the things that were a threat to the flock he was caring for. He'd have a good idea of what wild animals were around and how they behaved and where they hid. He'd also be good at reading the weather to get his flock out of harms way should a storm come in.

The Jericho road

Jesus was once asked by an expert in the law, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan. It seems that Jesus sees care for the wounded like the needy, the poor and downtrodden as part of the essence of following him.

Helping someone along a dangerous, dark and lonely road is not everyone’s cup of tea and whilst we are not expected to expose ourselves to danger unnecessarily, the further we remove ourselves from personal connections with people in need, the further we stray from the ministry Jesus modelled for us in this parable.

In Matt 25:31 on, we see Jesus judging people on the basis of their ministry to the hungry, naked, homeless, sick and imprisoned. The ministry of mercy appears to be central to the very definition of being a Christian.

...the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.

In his excellent book Ministries of Mercy, Tim Keller concludes:

• All Christians live on that road to Jericho whether we understand it or not
• It is the responsibility of us all to care for the neighbour lying in the road
• There are times when we need God most, yet he seems strangely inaccessible. At this moment of apparent abandonment, the Body of Christ can rise to perhaps it’s highest calling 

Our church has a Care Team whose aim is to care for the wounded in our church and in the community in which we serve. The team consists of people who are passionate about coming alongside those who are going through hard times and their aim is to assist in practical ways where needed.

Whilst we have this team, ultimately the responsibility lies with each and every one of us to care for others as Jesus calls. It's sometimes difficult work, and the problems can seem insurmountable. But then we serve a God who specialises in the impossible!

For more info contact info@pvfc.co.za 

The Shepherd - part two

We're unpacking some thoughts based upon ideas from Tim Laniak who writes about the primary biblical image of a leader being a shepherd. He make the point that we have three key roles: leading, feeding and protecting those under our care.

The shepherd as feeder

A shepherd must lead the flock but he must also feed the flock. Whatever our role of leadership from the preaching pastor to a volunteer team leader we're feeding those under our care. Sometimes that feeding is direct teaching from the scriptures if that is our calling and gift, but there is also teaching that comes through the way we lead our teams and the way that we interact with others. Jesus leads us to green pastures and we should be doing likewise with those under our care.

We're called to feed the hearts of our teams by being gracious, kind and affirming in our dealings with them. We feed our teams by reminding them that when they fail there is grace in Jesus more than enough for their failure. We can feed our teams by leading them in prayer and dependence on God's deliverance. We feed our teams when we point them to Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.

Someone once quipped 'You are the only bible some people will read' Hopefully our teams are reading the bible too, but they will learn a lot from how you respond in high stress situations, how you treat your spouse, kids, colleagues and also the so-called 'unimportant' people in life. This is why we're encouraged to be Christ like in the way that we live.

People learn by watching. As as your sheep watch you, may they learn what the heart of the true shepherd, Jesus, is like.

The Shepherd - Part one

Leaders of the church are called to shepherd those under their care and it is a form of gospel centred discipling to do it well.

Tim Laniak notes that a shepherd has three distinct roles: they lead, feed and protect. Our model is the Great Shepherd himself, Jesus. This post and the next two will unpack each of these roles.

The shepherd as leader

The shepherd leads the sheep to places that are beneficial to the sheep not to the shepherd. So often leaders are on an agenda that is their own, their leading is to make themselves look good or for them to gain something. A good shepherd is a care taker for the sheep and he knows that they belong to the owner. The joyful duty of the shepherd is to get the sheep back home in the best condition he can, safe and well fed. A good shepherd is always a servant leader with the greater good of the flock in mind.

One of the ways we serve as leaders is to move the people under our care on their journey with Jesus.To lead the sheep you need to know where you are going or else you will wander aimlessly, backtracking, sidestepping and covering ground you have already covered. good leaders have a clear vision for the future and are committed to get the sheep there. As leaders we need to constantly be full of God's spirit or we will fall, fail or flounder our way around.

To be a good shepherd you take the sheep not to places they want to go but to the places they need to go. The narrow ledge may seem dangerous but it may also be the only way to the green pastures and the flowing rivers beyond. To not go because some of the sheep are scared or stubborn is not helpful, in fact it may be harmful to the flock. A good shepherd is a bold leader.

But a good shepherd is also a gentle leader. He helps the smaller and weaker sheep who are being left behind. A good shepherd cares for the whole flock. This is what Jesus did. He tried to shepherd the hard headed Pharisees into the kingdom of grace instead of the prison of law. Jesus shepherded twelve ordinary men to take the gospel to all the nations. He also shepherded a sinful woman caught in adultery and a demonized man who had been trapped by the net of evil. Jesus cared for all of God's people.

Jesus is the consummate shepherd and we need to emulate him as we lead the teams under us.

Are you being a good shepherd by leading those under your care as a leader in the local church?

Never the same...

In 1962 Don and Carol Richardson came into contact with a remote tribe in West New Guinea known as the Sawi people. They were cannabilistic headhunters without a written language, nor any clue about Jesus.

The Richardsons, along with their three children, preached the gospel to the Sawi people and witnessed a remarkable movement of God. The story is told in the best-selling book Peace Child and has inspired many to take the gospel to the furthest ends of the earth.

Just recently — fifty years after they first met the Sawi — the Richardsons returned to the village they once called home. This short 15-minute film from Pioneers documents that experience. It is one of the most amazing things you will ever see.

What could God accomplish with us if we allowed ourselves to be unleashed for the gospel?




Orignally posted on Desiringgod.org

Build Progress

We're continuing to make headway with the new premises for us to worship in. The driver injured in the accident earlier in the week is not severely injured and has a broken rib and some stitches. Below is a shot taken this morning showing the progress on the land.

What happens when the laws of physics get pushed too far

God made the laws of physics and you cqm only push them so far. Thankfully the driver is OK with minor injuries.

Finally we get the ground broken!

woohoo!!!