Of first importance in the matter of shepherding the flock is the need of vital connection with the Chief Shepherd. Indeed, it is essential to know and understand the points of faith and doctrine, but this will avail us little if our own lives are not made holy by the truth we present. Says the Lord's messenger: "We need a converted ministry; otherwise the churches raised up through their labors, having no root in themselves, will not be able to stand alone."—Testirnonies, vol. 4, p. 315. Were the need of such a statement not apparent, the counsel would not have been given. Four years of college, or even the fact that we are in ministerial work, is no proof that we are shepherding the flock as we ought. The words of Christ to Peter are given to us as well: "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Not until he fully understood his own weaknesses and needs could Peter understand the needs of others.
Have we been attempting to do the work of an undershepherd without having another essential qualification—the qualification revealed in the question put to Peter by Jesus: "Lovest thou Me?" "Without the love of Christ in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a failure."—Acts of the Apostles, p. 515. The Chief Shepherd must be our Model, our Example. The true shepherd, discovering one sheep missing, is not content to say, "It is too much trouble to go in search of the straying one. Let him come back after a few hard experiences, and I'll open the door of the sheepfold and let him in." What grief and anxiety should be felt for one sheep that is lost—and what strong efforts put forth that he be found. When the shepherd finds the lost, he does not scold it with a tongue-lashing, or even try to lead it; but he places it upon his shoulder and bears it home. We must be touched with the need of each sheep.
Even as "Christ pleased not Himself," the faithful shepherd will not consider his own ease or convenience. He must forget self. His one aim must be to save the lost and wandering sheep. "His wages will not influence him in his labor nor turn him from his duty."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 341. One failure of shepherds was anciently portrayed in Isaiah 56: "They are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter." Surely the laborer is worthy of his hire, but the remuneration in dollars and cents cannot compare with the reward to the faithful shepherd. (I Peter 5:4.)
What a solemn question is asked on page 370 of Acts of the Apostles. "Is not a neglect to work as Christ worked, to sacrifice as He sacrificed, a betrayal of sacred trusts, an insult to God?" Jesus plainly drew the comparison between the sincerity, attitude, and character of the true shepherd and the hireling. The Chief Shepherd has entrusted to us the care of His flock. We must have the same interest and feel the same responsibilities in feeding the flock, strengthening" the weak, and shielding them from evil, as He. The sheep under our care have cost an infinite price, therefore, we must be unwearied in keeping them in a healthy and flourishing condition. All will be called to render an account. "Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?" Jer. 13:20.
Peter points out another important phase: "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." I Peter 5:3. The true shepherd does not drive, but calls the sheep, going before them. "The minister is not to rule imperiously over the flock intrusted to his care. . . . God holds the minister responsible for the power he exercises, but does not justify His servants in perverting that power into despotism over the flock of their care."—Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 267, 268. The manner in which Christ dealt with Peter is a lesson for us. Though Peter denied Christ, He still loved him. As Peter would be called upon to minister to others, he was to remember his own weakness and failure, and deal with the sheep as tenderly as Christ dealt with him. Are we as shepherds given to some evil still? Does the possibility exist that we may stray a bit? Yet how often we perhaps deal tenderly with the tempted and erring.
The shepherd must do real personal work. Nothing else takes its place.
"When a minister has presented the gospel message from the pulpit, his work is only begun. There is personal work for him to do. He should visit the people in their homes, talking and praying with them in earnestness and humility... To my ministering brethren I would say, By personal labor reach the people where they are. Become acquainted with them. This work cannot be done by proxy. Money loaned or given cannot accomplish it. Sermons from the pulpit cannot do it. Teaching the Scriptures in families,—this is the work of an evangelist, and this work is to be united with preaching. If it is omitted, the preaching will be, to a great extent, a failure."—Gospel Workers, pp. 587, 188.
"If one entering upon this work chooses the least self-sacrificing part, contenting himself with preaching, and leaving the work of personal ministry for someone else, his labors will not be acceptable to God."
"Ministry means more than sermonizing ; it means earnest, personal labor. The church on earth is composed of erring men and women, who need patient, painstaking effort that they may be trained and disciplined to work with acceptance in this life."—Acts of the Apostles, p. 526.
"The work of a shepherd is not all done in the desk. He should talk with all the members of the flock; with the parents, to learn their standing; and with the children, to learn theirs. . . . Never enter a family without inviting them together, and bowing down and praying with them before you leave. Inquire into the health of their souls. What does a skillful physician do? He inquires into the particulars of the case, then seeks to administer remedies. Just so, the physician of the soul should inquire into the spiritual maladies with which the members of his flock are afflicted, then go to work to administer the proper remedies, and ask the great Physician to come to his aid."—Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 618, 619.
What is one of the greatest sins of the shepherds of Israel? "Ad they were scattered, because there is no shepherd; and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill; yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.'" —Ibid., vol. 5, p. 346.
Are we so busy bringing people into the truth that once they are in, we have no time to care for them ? Shall we take the attitude that a certain percentage are expected to drop out, or shall we strive to fulfill the desire of Jesus in John 15 :16: "Ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain"? We should seriously consider the result of our neglect in shepherding the flock.
"Some ministers who profess to be called of God, have the blood of souls on their garments. They are surrounded with backsliders and sinners, and yet feel no burden for their souls ; they manifest an indifference in regard to their salvation. Some are so nearly asleep that they seem to have no sense of the work of a gospel minister. . . . The work of warning sinners, of weeping over them and pleading with them, has been neglected until many souls are past all cure. Some have died in their sins, and will in the Judgment confront with reproaches of their guilt those who might have saved them, but who did not. Unfaithful ministers, what a retribution awaits you."—Ibid., vol. 2, p. 506.
