Out of the Boardroom and into the Pasture: What the Bible Says Shepherds Do for Flocks

Caveat: The 21st century American expression of the church is not addressed in the Bible. Yet, by its very nature (e.g., including buildings, budgets, personnel, and programs, plus government regulation of incorporated entities) the modern church requires some sort of governance. Possibly this role could be implied in the biblical term “oversight.” However, in the Bible governance is not spelled out as the primary role of elders. So, however modern governance is arranged, care must be taken not to distort, much less supplant, the biblical model for shepherds.

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When it seems time for a church to add elders (shepherds), the existing elders usually arrange a few lessons on what some call “the qualifications” of elders (from 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1) and then ask church members to identify candidates who “fit the qualifications.”

But this approach may be exactly backwards. First, those who do the nominating often still envision elders as corporate leaders for the model suggested in the caveat above, rather than the for the shepherd-flock model spelled out in Scripture.

Second, Paul might be stunned to see his qualities used as qualifications or specifications, since the list of qualities for Crete, in Paul’s letter to Titus, differs from the list of qualities for Ephesus, in Paul’s letter to Timothy. In other words, these qualities appear to be church-specific, not universal.

A better beginning place for elder selection might be to familiarize the congregation with the biblical “job description” for elders—then ask the church to nominate persons who are already doing these kinds of things. Then consider the matters of Christian character in light of qualities that Paul mentions, keeping in mind that Paul is employing a literary device common in the Greek literature of his day—that is, a general character sketch outlining qualities of a good person.

So now let’s review that biblical job description. What does the Bible say that shepherds (elders) do for flocks? We glean the answer to this question from seven major New Testament texts regarding elders (shepherds or bishops):

• Acts 20:28-30 – Guard the flock, watch out for the flock, and feed the flock.

• Eph 4:10-14 – Equip the flock for ministry.

• 1 Tim 3:5ff – Care for the flock, direct the affairs of the flock (like a father cares for his children), and teach the flock.

• Titus 1:9, 10 – Encourage the flock, refute false teaching.

• Jas 5:14 – Pray for the flock, anoint the sick. Possibly James adds “anointing them with oil” because one cannot anoint another person without touching them, like Jesus touches the leper in Matt 4. The touch heals far more deeply than merely curing physical illnesses. It begins deep social and emotional healing for those who feel outcast, rejected.

• 1 Pet 5:1-5 – Serve the flock, lead the flock, and be an example to the flock.

• Heb 13:17 – Finally, they keep watch over the flock. J. B. Phillips translates this as “lose sleep over the flock.” The term used here is a military expression in New Testament Greek, referring to a soldier on sentry duty. Soldiers who fall asleep on guard duty usually suffer extreme consequences, and may even face a firing squad! Shepherding the flock of God is a task not to be taken lightly.

In all of these references the Bible assumes that shepherding is people work, mostly done through relationships.

Now, by way of contrast, notice what the Bible does not say shepherds do for flocks (though modern church leaders often spend the bulk of their “elder-ing” time on these tasks!):

• Manage buildings, budgets, personnel, and programs.

• Think for other people.

• Call the shots and make the decisions.

• Legislate in matters of opinion.

• Grease the squeaky wheels.

A Model for Our Times

These are days of growing disenchantment with institutional religion, even among sincere believers! Many committed younger Christians find little attraction toward corporate church structures—and even less interest in maintaining them. Many seminary professors say that their brightest and most sincere seminarians, though feeling called to ministry, show little interest in the traditional roles of church leaders. Maybe this is at least partly because they sense that traditional church leadership is not necessarily Jesus’ plan for spiritual leadership.

And there is good news! Younger believers and un-churched post-moderns are showing incredible interest in the very kinds of things the Bible says shepherds are to be doing for their flocks: mentoring personal integrity in authentic community and through genuine relationships.

Further good news: more and more church leaders—elders and ministers—want to get “out of the boardroom and into the pasture.” And many—while aware that the shift from “managing board” to “shepherds’ circle” is a journey that may take a decade—still see this as a journey they are eager to make. They know too that, while a thousand-mile journey begins with one step, that first step must be taken or the journey will never be made.