What is the gift of shepherding?

The Word of God is full of examples of shepherding or pastoring.  The Apostle Peter compared the elders of the church to being shepherds, as he outlined the responsibilities of caring for the portion of God’s flock under their care.  Likewise, Peter also referred to Jesus Christ as the Chief Shepherd of God’s overall flock of followers.  Of course not all Biblical references of shepherding refer to official positions such as elders of the church.  For example, various Old Testament prophets often referred to pastors in a general term that also included magistrates, civil leaders and so on.  In the New Testament, the Apostle Titus taught that the older women should train the younger women to do what is good.

 

The gift of shepherding is included among the spiritual gifts in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it…It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up unit we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7, 11-13 NIV)

The gift of shepherding, or pastoring, plays an important role in churches today, especially since many churches are led by pastors, worship pastors, youth pastors and like manner.  However, the function or role of the pastor is not necessarily synonymous with the gift of shepherding or pastoring.  The Apostle Timothy indicates that the gift of pastoring is only one of the prerequisites for serving as an overseer in a church, along with other spiritual gifts such as leading and teaching.  Does this mean that churches must be led by pastors who are also gifted in leadership and teaching?  Of course not, look around and ask yourself how many churches are led by people who are solely gifted as teachers, pastors or leaders.  However, if an overseer of a church has not been entrusted with all three gifts – leadership, pastoring and teaching – he or she should consider working with someone who can help complement his or her strengths and weaknesses for the purpose of edifying the church.

 

As for believers entrusted with the gift of pastoring, who are not in any leadership roles, you will often find that God may have placed them in a situation where the Holy Spirit is already using them as a positive influence on others within their current sphere of influence.  For instance, the Apostle Titus gives the example of the older women caring for the younger women.  In reality, many of us have probably know of people who are working behind the scenes and quietly guiding our friends and loved ones in their walk with the Lord.  Just think of the difference one person can make within their sphere of influence.

Regardless, whether you classify the gift of shepherding as an official position or as a gift entrusted to various believers, the role of shepherding comes with many responsibilities.  The Apostle Peter touches on a few of the responsibilities with the following words.

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (I Peter 5:2-3 NIV)

The Prophet Ezekiel also spoke the following words of the Lord against the shepherds of Israel who were trying to control and manipulate the people, instead of leading them gently and by example.

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:  Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves!  Should not shepherds take care of the flock?  You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.  You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured.  You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost.  You have ruled them harshly and brutally....’” (Ezekiel 34:2-4 NIV)

The spiritual gift of shepherding, or guiding others, is when the Holy Spirit guides a believer to watch over the spiritual welfare of others and bring them into fellowship with one another.  Believers entrusted with this gift should have a desire to help guide others out of a passion of wanting to help others, not any ulterior motives.  Overall, the Holy Spirit can use believers at where they are in life with the gift of shepherding, regardless if they are in a pastoral leadership role or not, to take watch over a group of people and help guide them down a path of righteousness for the ultimate purpose of glorifying God.