Dr. Rodney Plunket

In 1 Peter (1Pe) 2:25 we read, “For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.”  Just a little later in this same book, in 1Pe 5:4 (a verse from our Scripture reading this morning), we hear a reference to the “chief shepherd” who is to appear.  The shepherd in both of these verses clearly is Jesus.  And we should note that the reference in 1Pe 5:4 to Jesus as the “chief shepherd” is at the end of a section addressed to the elders of the churches to whom Peter is writing.

These references to Jesus as “shepherd” and “chief shepherd” make clear that He is the ultimate shepherd/the ultimate guide of Christians as we make our spiritual journeys.  No human being fills that position of shepherd in the same way that Jesus does.  His shepherding role is unique and ultimate.

This morning our focus is on the elders/the shepherds of this local flock of God.  Three of our brothers––David Ruebush, Clark Self, and Carl Stem––have been called to serve as additional shepherds of this flock.  They will be added to the thirteen elders who serve already.

These verses from First Peter remind us that all of our shepherds serve under the ultimate shepherd, Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the shepherd of our shepherds just as He is every Christian’s ultimate shepherd.  All human shepherding authority/all human shepherding leadership must be conducted under the higher authority/under the sovereign shepherd whose leadership they and we all must follow.

These words from First Peter also serve to remind all elders/all shepherds that they must look to the way that Jesus shepherded to learn how to shepherd.  Our sermon title this morning asks a question.  It asks our shepherds where they will lead us.  Clearly the answer is that they must lead us where Jesus leads.

But where is that?  Where does Jesus lead?  I found it helpful to answer that question by thinking back to the ministry of Jesus and looking at the kind of shepherding that He conducted while serving God on this earth.

A major focus of Jesus’ shepherding ministry was calling people into the flock of God.  Jesus reached out to the confused and searching masses, and He called them into a life-changing relationship with God.  Listen to one example of Jesus calling out to people.  In Matthew 11:28-30 He said,

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." 

We can easily see that one focus of Jesus’ ministry was calling people into relationship with God, into the reign of God.

Jesus also equipped His followers for ministry.  The Gospels are loaded with examples of Jesus instructing His disciples.  And Jesus did not just instruct, did not just teach by word.  Jesus took His disciples with Him everywhere He went.  And He demonstrated genuine ministry as He powerfully showed love to the lost, the sick, and the hungry.  He shaped the whole of His disciples’ lives for service in His Name.  He shaped their thoughts, their feelings, and their actions.  And, most importantly, Jesus equipped His followers with the powerful Holy Spirit of God.  In Luke 24:49, before Jesus sends His followers out into ministry, He says to them, “I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”  And, in Acts 1:8, He says to these same followers, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”  Later, in the next chapter of Acts, the Holy Spirit does come upon them; and they are fully equipped for ministry.  Yes, Jesus was a shepherd who called people into the Kingdom of God and who equipped them with all they would need for service to that Kingdom.

And finally, Jesus, our sovereign Shepherd, sent His followers out in the power of His Name to do actual ministry.  In Acts 1:8, after His resurrection, He tells his disciples, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  And in Matthew 28:19-20 we read these words of Jesus also spoken after His resurrection:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Jesus called.  Jesus equipped.  Jesus sent.  And He sent people out who would continue calling, equipping, and sending.  That is how our sovereign Shepherd led His sheep.  That is “where” He led them.  That is surely “where” He is leading His sheep today.

Several years ago our elders adopted a mission statement for this church, a mission statement that clearly reflects the shepherding ministry of Jesus Christ.  That statement says,

The Broadway church of Christ exists to call all people to God through Jesus Christ; to equip all members with a faith that works in real life; and to send those members into the world for service in Jesus’ Name.

As I hope you hear, this mission statement is organized around the same three words that summarize Jesus’ shepherding ministry:  Call, Equip, Send.

Dear elders, current and incoming, lead us there.  Through prayer, love, relationships, service, testimony, and Christian witness teach us, show us, shape us.  Bring to us the life of Jesus.

We want to look more like Jesus.  We want lives that show forth the nature of our God.  We want the power of the Kingdom of God to shine out from us radiantly to the glory of our God.  Shepherd us so that what we want and what God wants for our lives will become real, powerfully real among us.  Shepherds, take hold of the power of God’s Holy Spirit, take hold of the power of prayer, and lead this church.  We want to be a church that calls the lost––lots of the lost, thousands of the lost––to their true home in the Kingdom of God.  We want to be equipped for ministry with a faith that works in real life.  We want to be sent out as men and women of God whose lives clearly reveal the heart and power of our God.  Yes, some of us need to be sent out into ministry away from Lubbock, Texas.  Some of us even need to be sent out into ministry among foreign nations.  But most of us need to be sent out into this community, into Lubbock.  We need to work jobs, raise families, be single professionals, or whatever right here in this town.  And we need elders who will shepherd us in such a way that our faith shines wherever we are placed to live out our commitment to Jesus Christ.

Shepherds, where will you lead?  Please lead us to Christ-likeness.  Please lead us deeper into the reign of God.  Please help us become a church that fulfills the mission of calling, equipping, and sending to the glory of our God.  We don’t want to sit idle.  We don’t wait to be benchwarmers.  We want to serve our glorious God.  Please lead us there!

Would Bob Rouse and Rod Blackwood please come to the platform at this time?  Bob Rouse served as an elder of the Broadway church for fifteen years.  Prior to that he served for eighteen years as an elder of the College Avenue/
University Avenue Church of Christ.  Bob will be issuing a charge to our new elders.  After that, Rod Blackwood, who is the incoming chairman of the Broadway elders, will call all of our elders forward to lay hands on these new elders.  Rod will then lead a prayer for them.  Bob, please come to the microphone.

The Charge to the Incoming Elders:  Do each of you pledge to fulfill, to the very best of your ability, the biblically mandated responsibilities of serving as a shepherd of God’s people?  Do you commit yourself actively and faithfully to serve this flock, and do you pledge to live an exemplary life patterned after the life of Jesus, and do you agree to assume this role under Jesus as the Supreme Shepherd and under His Father, Almighty God?  Before God and before this congregation of witnesses do you accept this charge?  They were asked to respond individually by saying “I do.”  Each one of them did respond with that positive affirmation.

The men who have just been added to this Church’s eldership as well as the men who have been serving for some time are highly committed to their role.  They will not be able to serve effectively without our prayers.  As we pray, let’s focus upon their biblically mandated role.  That role is to shepherd, to serve, to care for the spiritual well being of God’s people.  Pray that the Lord will give them the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out this role.

Another item of support which we must give to our elders comes straight out of Scripture.  In 1Tm 5:19 we read, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.”  When we combine this verse with Mt 18:15-17 we learn how to deal with criticism of our elders.  In Mt 18:15-17 Jesus says,

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.  If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.  But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

Notice the process.  First, you talk to the person one-on-one, privately.  Then, if that is ineffective, you talk to the person with one or two others.  Then, if that also is ineffective, you take the matter to the church.  May we hear these words and realize that we should never be quick to grant credence to a charge made against an elder.  And if we ever hear a charge, we must convince the one who brought it to go and speak to that particular elder about the charge and then, if required, follow the remainder of the process as laid out in Mt 18.

Another element of support which the New Testament says we should give to our elders is honor.  Paul, in 1Tm 5:17, says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”

Brothers and sisters, I urge us to pray for our elders; I urge us to be slow to hear criticisms and accusations against them, and I also urge us to grant them “double honor” because the Bible tells us to do that.

Nelson Reinsch would you please come to the platform.  Nelson is also a respected brother who served for many years as an elder/a shepherd of this church.  He is now going to lead us, the members of this church, in a charge that we make to our elders.  Nelson, please come to the microphone.

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