When Elders Shepherd

I was reminded of the importance and value of it again recently. It is the role of elders as shepherds, and it is a role that is invaluable to a congregation.

It is always encouraging to see these men fulfill this role, but sometimes I see it more clearly than others. As I saw it in action recently, it reminded me of the time I think I saw it most clearly in my life in ministry.

Without revealing all the details, it was the morning of a surgery. But this surgery was a little different, because it involved a young child, and no one knew exactly how long the procedure would take. All we knew was that it was incredibly serious and it would take a long time, possibly all day.

I got to the hospital about 7:30 in the morning–which was about 30 minutes before the surgery was scheduled to begin, if memory serves–thinking I was doing well. What I saw when I came around the corner from the elevator literally brought tears to my eyes.

There, in the waiting room at that early hour, were all of our elders (seven in number at the time) at the congregation I worked for. They had been there about 30 minutes, and not one of them would leave until mid-afternoon.

Their presence preached.

It spoke volumes.

It comforted.

It healed.

It led.

It was, in a word, outstanding pastoring.

Of course, throughout the day, they carried on conversations the family and many others. They shared stories at times and let people just sit and rest at others. But nothing they said that day could have meant any more than their mere presence.

Over and over, I have seen the remarkable difference that it makes in the lives of people when elders take the role of pastoring (or shepherding) seriously. Sometimes it is done at a funeral home. Other times, it is dropping by to visit a wayward member. It is done at times in the back of an auditorium, while at other times it is done by the fireplace of a lonely member who is shut in.

It involves laughter sometimes, and salty tears at others. It can be rewarding, and (yes) also frustrating. It takes a lot of emotional effort and patience, but usually helps elders lead–by shepherding–in an even more powerful way in the future. It is a work that builds upon itself.

I can’t tell you how often I have been to visit someone in the hospital or in their home and seen the face of that person light up as they’ve told me that one (or more) of the elders has stopped by to see them. While so many people joke about the preacher being “the pastor” (in spite of what the New Testament actually teaches), deep down, people still want to see their shepherds. After all, that’s the way God designed it.

In far too many congregations, elders become a de facto “board of directors,” and they hire out the shepherding to the preacher. To borrow a phrase, “these things ought not to be so.” Yes, the preacher should visit and help lead people as he is able, but in God’s wisdom, He designed each congregation to be led and shepherded by a plurality of elders. This is done not just in decision making in the meeting room, but in helping members daily in kitchens, living rooms, and restaurants.

Elders, please shepherd. If you truly trust in the wisdom of God’s plan for the church, you will.

And when you do, just watch how God blesses the lives of the people, due to your effort.

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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn