Session 4 'The pastor's heart' - good help is hard to find

Hi leaders, David recounts an interesting anecdote to Saul concerning his worthiness to face Goliath;
 "But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God." (1 Sam 17:34 & 36) David was keeper of his fathers sheep - yet such was his commitment to them & his father, he was willing to face mortal danger to recover the lost sheep! This shows his courage and commitment, and brings us to our next subject.

Lets continue with John 10:11-13
"I am the Good shepherd the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. the hired man, since he is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. This happens because he is a hired man and doesn't care about the sheep."

We see here contrasted the depth of service and sacrifice a shepherd & a hired servant will demonstrate when it comes to personal risk. Jesus brings up the issue of ownership as a factor in the response of both the shepherd and the hireling. Intrinsic to the Shepherd ethos is a depth of responsibility that goes deeper than just physical ownership - this is not a response triggered by the potential loss of an asset! it is a depth of care and concern borne out of an investment of self in the sheep, that will put it all on the line if need be for the sake of the other. We might call this 'vicarious living' Many will be the threats facing people in the church & those in your care! We demonstrate the depth of our investment in others by our willingness to sacrifice on their behalf. The wolf is an apt metaphore for predatory & exploitative individuals who appear in our midst from time to time, The Shepherd often positioned himself at the entrance of the fold and was constantly 'watching' his sheep to respond promptly to any threat.

At the end of the day the hireling's response is a lack of ownership, investment & genuine caring for those in their trust. When self is mortally threatened - its preservation becomes primary! Jesus used this contrasting behaviour to show us the true depths of his goodness & what constitutes a true shepherd. Obviously we will rarely have to demonstrate this level of sacrifice - but as leaders its important we adopt the 'vicarious' mindset to our relationships and those we are leading, that demonstates itself in appropriate practical care.

...have a lambtastic week.
Ps Rhett
Next Week Session 5 (final) 'The pastors heart' - The ever expanding flock
John 10:14-18