A call from the Chief Shepherd

The language of shepherd and flock is not a metaphor we outgrow. Jesus Himself anchors our ministry in it. Three times He told Peter, “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17). That remains the marching order.

He knows His own, and His own know His voice. “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Our pastoral and congregational labors revolve around that voice, heard in the Scriptures and obeyed by faith.

What feeding actually is

Feeding is not entertainment, therapy, or crowd-management. Feeding is bringing the whole flock into steady contact with the whole counsel of God, so that the saints grow up into Christ in all things.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). That is the pattern.

- Preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2).

- Pray without ceasing (Acts 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

- Keep the ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

- Practice shepherding care, discipline, and encouragement (1 Peter 5:2–3; Hebrews 3:12–13).

Sheep-first gatherings, gospel-open doors

The gathered church exists to equip the saints. Christ “gave some to be… pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11–12). We gather to stir up love and good works, “not neglecting to meet together” (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Evangelism is not sidelined. It is strengthened when the church is well-fed. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Even when an unbeliever steps in, clarity and conviction should meet him (1 Corinthians 14:24–25).

- Plan Lord’s Day worship for the edification of believers, with clear gospel proclamation.

- Make the path from hearing to repentance and faith unmistakable (1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 1:16).

- Equip saints to witness throughout the week (Matthew 28:18–20).

Resisting goat-driven ministry

Pressure always pushes us to please the unconverted. Scripture warns against that drift. “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). “We have renounced secret and shameful ways… by open proclamation of the truth” (2 Corinthians 4:2).

The time has come “when men will not tolerate sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3). The answer is not dilution but devotion to the Word. Jesus rebuked crowds who sought bread without truth (John 6:26–27). He never built ministry on their appetites.

Common symptoms of goat-driven drift:

- Metrics matter more than maturity.

- Sermons thin out doctrine and avoid repentance.

- Worship centers on experience over truth (John 4:24).

- The Lord’s Supper and church discipline fade from practice.

The shepherd’s task: guard, guide, give

Overseers must keep watch. “Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Paul foresaw “savage wolves” from outside and distorters from inside (Acts 20:29–31).

Shepherds must hold fast and teach. An elder “must hold firmly to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). We aim to present everyone mature. “We proclaim Him… that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

- Guard the pulpit and platforms.

- Catechize the church in core doctrine.

- Correct error promptly and gently.

- Keep personal watch over souls (Hebrews 13:17).

How a local church feeds

Feeding is a rhythm. Week by week, saints hear, believe, and obey. Shepherds pray, teach, counsel, and model. Households echo the Word at home.

Build simple, repeatable patterns that train appetites for truth. Keep the main things central until they shape instincts and culture.

- Consecutive, expository preaching through Bible books (Acts 20:27).

- Public Scripture reading (1 Timothy 4:13).

- Doctrinal classes for all ages, including catechisms and confessions (2 Timothy 1:13).

- Small groups that apply Sunday’s Word and practice one-another care (Hebrews 10:24–25).

- Membership that means something, with shepherding and discipline (Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5).

Evangelism while feeding

Feeding the flock does not muzzle gospel zeal. A nourished church is a bold church. “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

Let the gospel ring clearly in gathered worship and scatter powerfully through the saints. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).

- Keep a weekly gospel call and clear next steps.

- Train saints in gracious, Scripture-saturated witness.

- Celebrate baptisms and testimonies tied to a clear gospel.

Measuring fruit God’s way

Christ defines success. He seeks fruit that remains. “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and show yourselves to be My disciples” (John 15:8). He aims for unity in truth and maturity in love (Ephesians 4:13–16).

Numbers are not nothing, but they are not everything. Obedience, holiness, and reproduction of faithful servants mark health. “What you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

Look for:

- Doctrinal stability and discernment.

- Evident holiness and love (John 13:34–35).

- Prayerfulness and endurance in trials (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

- Multiplying disciple-makers and qualified leaders.

Stay on the path

The Shepherd’s command stands. “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17). Keep the table full with Scripture, prayer, ordinances, and watchful care. Refuse the pressure to make goats comfortable.

Christ will build His church (Matthew 16:18). Our charge is faithfulness. His voice will gather, grow, and guard His flock.

We gladly adjust methods to serve people without adjusting the message. Paul became “all things to all men” to save some (1 Corinthians 9:22). He also refused flattery, greed, or people-pleasing (1 Thessalonians 2:3–6).

Guard the line. “We have renounced secret and shameful ways… by open proclamation of the truth” (2 Corinthians 4:2). Use forms that carry content rather than forms that swallow it.

- Translate, don’t truncate.

- Clarify, don’t cloud.

- Welcome, don’t water down.

- Persuade, don’t pander.

Children and youth as little sheep

Scripture treats children as reachable and teachable. Timothy knew the Scriptures “from infancy” (2 Timothy 3:15). Fathers must “bring them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Treat every child with dignity, clarity, and patience. Evangelize and disciple, aiming for credible professions and growing obedience.

- Teach the big story of Scripture, Christ at the center.

- Memorize verses and catechisms.

- Model reverent participation in gathered worship.

- Guard from moralism; press the new birth (John 3:7).

Worship that feeds, not flatters

Let the Word dwell richly. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16). Sing truth to God and one another with reverence and joy (Ephesians 5:19; John 4:24).

Choose lyrics for doctrine, not merely for mood. Simplicity is fine, shallowness is not.

- Prioritize God-centered, Christ-exalting, Scripture-saturated songs.

- Sing the gospel every week.

- Include congregational Scripture reading and confession.

- Keep the room bright with light, not dark with ambience; clarity over theatrics.

Ordinances that guard and grow

Baptism marks disciples. The Supper nourishes disciples. The church in Acts was baptized and then “devoted themselves” to the Word, fellowship, bread, and prayer (Acts 2:41–42).

Fence the Table for believers walking in repentance. “Whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:29). Use both ordinances to preach Christ.

- Interview baptism candidates for a clear gospel and credible fruit.

- Explain the Supper each time; invite believers; warn the unrepentant.

- Tie both ordinances to church membership and discipline.

Church discipline as love

Discipline protects and restores. Jesus gave the steps for patient pursuit (Matthew 18:15–17). Paul commanded removal in unrepentant scandal, aiming at salvation (1 Corinthians 5:4–5).

Done biblically, discipline makes the church safer and the gospel brighter. Holiness adorns the house of God.

- Practice formative discipline weekly in preaching, prayer, and one-another care.

- Practice corrective discipline with transparency, gravity, and hope.

- Restore repentant sinners with grace and joy (2 Corinthians 2:6–8).

Teams and time that nourish

Leaders must major on prayer and the Word. “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). Share the load wisely to keep the feast consistent.

Build leadership pipelines that multiply faithful teachers and shepherds. Entrust, train, and test.

- Protect study and prayer time for preachers.

- Pair shepherds with members for regular care.

- Develop teachers through cohorts and supervised opportunities.

- Use plurality for accountability and durability (Philippians 1:1; 1 Peter 5:1).

Guarding against wolves

Testing spirits is love for the flock. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). Mark and avoid divisive falsehoods (Romans 16:17). Wolves will come; vigilance must stay.

Name errors, not to posture, but to protect. Keep the gospel of grace clear and the path of obedience straight (Titus 2:11–14).

- Teach core doctrines cyclically.

- Provide resources that inoculate against popular errors.

- Train elders and deacons in discernment and courage.

- Maintain a church-wide culture that prizes truth over trends.

The long obedience

Feeding sheep is slow work and good work. Expect years, not weeks. God gives shepherds for that very purpose. “I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15).

Stay the course. Contend for “the faith once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3). The Chief Shepherd will appear, and “you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Peter 5:4).