Know well the condition of your
flocks, and give attention to your herds, (Proverbs 27:23)
The
following quote is from John Gill’s Commentary of Proverbs 27:23:
In
what condition they are; what health they enjoy; how fat and fruitful they be;
what pasturage they have; and that they want nothing fitting for them that can
be had and is necessary; and also the number of them. The calling of the
shepherd is here particularly mentioned, because valiant, honourable, innocent,
and useful; but the same diligence is to be used in all other callings and
business men are employed in, that they may provide for themselves and their
families. It is in the original text, "the face of thy flocks";
perhaps the allusion is to the exact and distinct knowledge some very diligent
careful shepherds might have, so as to know each sheep in their flocks
distinctly; see ( John 10:3 ) ; The
Septuagint version renders it, the souls of thy flock, as if it was an
instruction to spiritual pastors or shepherds, who have the care of the souls
of men: and certain it is, that if it is the duty of shepherds in common to be
diligent in looking after their sheep, and doing everything the duty of their
office requires; then it must become the indispensable duty of pastors of
churches to take heed to the flock of God committed to them, and to look into
their state and condition, and provide for them, and feed them with knowledge
and understanding, ( Acts 20:28 ) ; [and]
look well to thy herds; or, "put thy heart" to them: show a
cordial regard for them, and take a hearty care of them, that they have
everything needful for them; and which is for the owner's good as well as
theirs.
Proverbs is classified as Wisdom
Literature. Indeed! Every pastor-shepherd would do well to prayerfully ponder
this passage and apply it in ministry. A reasonable application of the
principle stated in this passage would include the benefits of an objective
assessment that displays the true condition of the flock. It is not possible to
provide optimal pastoral leadership apart from this knowledge.
So, why is it that nearly all
pastors and church leaders absolutely refuse to submit to such an evaluation?
This post will offer five possible reasons. Do you use these excuses to avoid
submitting to a solid assessment?
#1 – Fear
Pastor-shepherds with their eyes open know intuitively the condition of their
flock. They are aware of broken relationships. They are aware of the failure of
the church they serve to reach the community around them. They monitor the
declining attendance and offering figures. But, they would rather witness the
slow decline than risk the turmoil generated by strategic intentional change
initiatives that they are responsible to lead.
#2 – Substitutes Activity, frenetic activity is a smoke screen used to
hide reality. The idea is this. Since we are so busy, have so much activity we
must be effective. Wrong. Activity alone does not produce transformation. That
requires intentionality with purpose, persistence, and accountability.
#3 – Incompetence
75% of pastors who participated in a survey done by the Francis Schaeffer
Leadership Institute indicated they had no training or equipping from their
college or Seminary in leadership. They know deep down they are not equipped to
tackle the rigors required in the transformation process. This is sad. Hiding
from reality is not the solution. Be bold and courageous. Get some equipping
and enlist an outside voice that will guide the process.
#4 – Cost
The persistent decline in churches includes the decline in available funds.
However, cost is not the real issue. There is a net net increase in the
contributions to a local church when that church becomes healthy and effective.
When a church is healthy they have new people that become members. Redeemed
people live in obedience to the LORD and contribute financially. Refusing
assessment that enables the church to become healthy and effective perpetuates
the inadequate funding required for ministry.
#5 – Comfort This
is not pretty but sadly true. I have been told that while things are not well,
they will be OK until I am gone. What? That is the attitude of what Scripture
calls a hireling not a faithful shepherd. Leading the change process of
necessity includes tension and perhaps even outright conflict.
Be that as it may, faithful shepherds
that know the condition of their flocks lead on, embrace assessment, and
respond appropriately to what the assessment tells them about the condition of
their flock.
