Page 11 - May 2023 - Truth & Tidings

ravelling in Southeast Asia brings ing up the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11-12).
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its own peculiar challenges for a Who, then, are these shepherds and what
TScottish evangelist. In addition to is their function?
the cultural contrasts, there are customs It is helpful to look at two occasions in
declarations, numerous conversations the NT where the verb form of the word
in broken English and local languages occurs. Note first Paul’s use of the word
about employment, and the inevitable in Acts 20:28: “Be on guard for yourselves
failed attempts to shake off the title of and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has
“Pastor.” The assumption seems to be that appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd
anyone who works for the Christian God the church of God, which He purchased
or Church is a pastor or priest. with His own blood” (HCSB). Note also
The word “Pastor” in our Western Peter’s use: “So I exhort the elders among
you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the
culture has different associations. There sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker
are the ridiculous caricatures of cult per- in the glory that is going to be revealed:
sonalities flying about in private jets, with shepherd the flock of God that is among
churches housed in concert venues and you, exercising oversight, not under
homes like mansions – the not “over the compulsion, but willingly, as God would
hilltop” type. Then there are the scandals. have you; not for shameful gain, but ea-
Who hasn’t winced when “pastors” with gerly; not domineering over those in your
a significant organisation and media pres- charge, but being examples to the flock.
ence hit the headlines for all the wrong And when the chief Shepherd appears,
reasons, leaving wreckage in their wake? you will receive the unfading crown of
We find pastors all over the world, but glory” (1Pe 5:1-4).
We discover that shepherding describes
do we find them in the Bible? Without work done by “overseers” and “elders”
getting too technical, the word finds its among the Christians in Ephesus and
origin in Latin and French and was a trans- readers of Peter’s epistle, and will be re-
literation of the NT Greek word poimen, warded by the “Chief Shepherd” at His
found in Ephesians 4:11-12. The English appearing.
Standard Version of the Bible changed Other articles in this series deal with the
the traditional English translation from identity, character, calling and account-
pastors to shepherds. “And he gave the ability of these roles within a local church.
apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, However, it is worth stating again that
the shepherds and teachers, to equip the ¹ Bible quotations in this article are from the
saints for the work of ministry, for build- ESV unless otherwise noted.
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