In the Gospel of John, Jesus likens his relationship to his people as that of a shepherd to his sheep. In the Good Shepherd discourse of chapter 10, Jesus states, “The sheep hear his [shepherd’s] voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (vv. 3-4). A few verses later, he comments on this dynamic by emphasizing the close connection that exists between the shepherd and his sheep. He declares, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” (vv. 14-15)
What an intimate connection exists between Jesus and His people! And this way of knowing and being known is meant to characterize the relationship between elders and church members. Later on in John’s Gospel, Jesus uses this same shepherding imagery in his restoration of Peter. Three times, Jesus asks Peter about his love for Jesus and three times, Peter declares his love. And each time, Jesus responds with a command shaped by this shepherd motif. “Feed my lambs” (21:15), “Tend my sheep (21:16), and “Feed my sheep” (21:17).
Lest we think this only applies to Peter, he himself writes that this shepherding ministry belongs to all elders. In 1 Peter 5, he exhorts the elders as one who is a fellow elder. And his first word of exhortation is, “shepherd the flock of God that is among you,” (v. 2) and then refers to the church again as “the flock” in v. 3. Now, Peter is quick to note in v. 4, there is only one chief Shepherd and His name is Jesus. But Jesus’ shepherding ministry is mainly mediated through elders.
It is this shepherding ministry that I see as my primary task as your pastor. In fact, the term ‘pastor’ contains that shepherding idea within it. There are many activities I will engage in as your pastor but I view them all as falling under this pastoral ministry. When I prepare sermons, I am thinking of you and what food from the Bible you need to nourish you. When I pray for you, I am considering your needs and asking our Heavenly Father to meet those needs. Even when I am doing administrative tasks, I am assessing how our systems and processes will best help you in your growth and formation so that you “being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)
Jesus makes it clear that at the heart of this relationship is to know and be known. To shepherd you well, I have to know you. But for this to work the way Jesus intended, I also have to be known by you. Normally, this process would work out more organically as we interacted in the rhythms of life. But we are not in normal times. Therefore, we must be more deliberate and purposeful.
To that end of knowing and being known, my intention is to set up times for us to meet. In the upcoming weeks, Candy will be contacting you to set up these times. I am sensitive to the varying levels of concern people have surrounding health and safety. Where and when we meet will be totally up to you. If a breakfast or lunch works, great. If you want to meet outside at a park, wonderful. If you’d rather come to the church or have me come to your place, awesome. Mornings, afternoons, evenings are all fine. I want to make it as convenient as possible for you. Regarding couples, I’d love to meet with you together but again, we will work with your schedules.
One final word. Please don’t be intimidated by these visits. Often in previous calls when I would arrange such meetings, people thought they were in trouble. I don’t want you to feel that way. I want us to get to the place where getting together with your pastor is a normal part of life. In these initial meetings, it’s all about storytelling. I want to hear your stories about your lives, and about your walk with Jesus. And I want to share the same with you.
I am glad to be your pastor and am excited about getting to know you and to be known by you.
