”And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”-Jeremiah 3:15
In scripture, the word pastor is synonymous with the word shepherd. Rightly so, because the responsibilities of a pastor (elder, bishop) closely align with that of a shepherd. The shepherd is the caretaker, protector, and guide to the flock.
God used shepherds all throughout the scriptures. He called Moses who was a shepherd for his father-in-law. He called David, who was a shepherd for his father Jesse and shepherds were the first among many to announce Jesus Christ. Shepherds are tasked with guarding, guiding, tending and caring for their flock. Christ said: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) Herein is the first qualification, are you willing to give your life for the sheep? A shepherd must love his sheep. He must love them because they are going to test him, kick him, bite him, and wander from him. It may be a flock of three or a flock of three hundred, they must love the flock. Not love what the flock can give them, but the flock themselves. These “pastors” today who speak falsehoods and pile up numbers; I wonder do they even know their flock? When God calls someone out of the general body of Christ to be a shepherd, he places on them a solemn responsibility and an eternal accountability. The scripture says: “obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17) Shepherds do not own the flock. They are not lords over the flock, but rather shepherds to the flock. King David wrote in Psalm chapter twenty-three: the Lord is my shepherd. In this chapter he gave us a wonderful example of what a shepherd should be. He says that his shepherd makes us lie down in green pastures. Meaning we are full, safe, and satisfied. That he leads us to still waters to drink from. Meaning they are pleasant and accessible waters that will quench our thirst. That we are led in paths of righteousness, therefore away from the paths of unrighteousness and wickedness. That we are led for Christ’s name's sake, that we might serve and surrender to one who is greater and mightier than us, and though we walked through the valley of the shadow of death. We will fear no evil. Valleys are vulnerable places to be, but with the shepherd we are safe. No person can do all this, so it is mandatory that a shepherd must know the Good Shepherd. They must be a follower of Christ, if they have any hope to lead others to, and in Christ. The role of the pastor is one who is continually pointing and guiding them to that Good Shepherd which is Jesus Christ. As with the role of the shepherd, it is a meek and humble task. The Lord spoke many truths to Jeremiah, and God touched this man who then went out and gave many rebukes to the pastors of his day. He called them brutish and sought not the Lord. He called them destroyers and told them that their evil doings have scattered the flock. Their choices had an impact on the people they were supposed to guide. No doubt, the one who is called to shepherd souls is called to a serious responsibility. It is mandated by scripture that the pastor should be given double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
The apostle Peter called Christ the chief Shepherd. He is the one who we look to in all things. Yet, there are men and women who are called to serve Christ by serving his flock. So the apostle writes to those as well: “ The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.”-1 Peter 5:1-3
