What's A Stupid Shepherd?

In my last post I said that we need to take a long look at pastoral leadership. That conclusion was based upon Jesus' mashal in John 10.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. - Jhn 10:1-6 ESV

It is common for Christians of all denominations to call their spiritual leaders pastors or shepherds, based upon this parable and the various other references to God's people as sheep led by shepherds found throughout the Scriptures. During my own better than 50 years of pastoral work I have struggled to grasp the full intent of God's Word in that work. I have not. I remain in the same place as I was in when I first began: forced to rely upon the grace and forgiveness of Christ. Nevertheless, seeing ourselves as either shepherd or sheep, it is useful to review what that Word says about this office. Let's begin with a passage that rebukes false shepherds. a passage we might call "scarecrows in a cucumber patch."

For thus says the LORD: "Behold, I am slinging out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and I will bring distress on them, that they may feel it." Woe is me because of my hurt! My wound is grievous. But I said, "Truly this is an affliction, and I must bear it." My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are broken; my children have gone from me, and they are not; there is no one to spread my tent again and to set up my curtains. For the shepherds are stupid and do not inquire of the LORD; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered. - Jer 10:18-21 ESV

Jeremiah was a prophet of Judah in the seventh century before Christ. During his lifetime Israel was destroyed by the Babylonians and the people led away as slaves. Jeremiah warned them of this impending fate, but was beaten and imprisoned for his teachings, most especially because he dared to rebuke their stupid shepherds.

What is a stupid shepherd? Jeremiah answers. A stupid, unthinking shepherd is one who does not inquire of the LORD. Instead of turning to the LORD, the true, living and everlasting King of all the earth, he turns to idols created by men. Believe me, there are plenty of idols around to tempt those of us called into the office of shepherd or pastor. Each and every one of them is rightly called a scarecrow in a cucumber patch (Jer. 10:5 ESV). Here are a few examples of idols we shepherds are tempted to worship. There are many others besides these.

• Traditions - This pastor loves liturgical traditions: the bells, whistles, candles and smoke of days gone by. He is enraptured by vestments, processions, incense, kneeling, crossing himself, etc. These symbols and practices have served to teach and bless the church of the ages. He applauds himself for being very historically and liturgically correct. He does not comprehend why some do not want to join him in his correctness. He is simply being true to the traditions of the church, regardless of what those very traditions may be doing to scatter, divide and even destroy the flock of God he has been called to shepherd. 

• Contemporary life - This is the opposite scarecrow. This shepherd scorns all that old stuff. He insists on being modern, with it, contemporary. He will reach out to the world around him, meet people where he believes they are and draw them into God's kingdom. So he comes to an established flock and at once rejects anything even remotely known as liturgical. The very word is disgusting to him. He pulls together a praise band and puts a stop to all things traditional. He always dresses in blue jeans and T-shirts, along with all the other modern folk. His worship services are best done in a gymnasium, with people sitting around tables sipping cokes and coffee and bouncing around to the sounds of rock music. It does not matter to this shepherd what he does to families who despise his approach. He applauds himself for reaching out to people in the modern world. If those tired, old, tradition-bound folks don't like what he's doing, well, they can go somewhere else. 

• Psychology - By this I refer to the shepherds whose exclusive emphasis is upon teaching people to get along with one another and lead successful lives. His source of wisdom and knowledge is modern psychological textbooks, seminars, videos and groups. He is all wrapped up in sermon series on how to overcome alcoholism, drug addiction, relate to your spouse, raise kids, guide your teens, become all you can be, etc., etc. He brings in experts for seminar after seminar. He invites the community to join with his flock in these gatherings. Everything he does and teaches is based upon some new psychological, sociological university study or the work of a world-renowned guru. Certainly he encourages people to pray, but his true emphasis is upon getting in touch with your inner self and learning to relate to others. 

• Create a just world - This pastor insists upon leading his people to engage the world. There is so much racial prejudice, drug addiction, child abuse, divorce, broken families, political greed and police brutality. He insists that he and his flock march against these things, change the laws, save the children and feed the poor. This shepherds speaks out at city councils, goes on marches to Washington and raises money to support political action groups. He is consumed by the desire to create a just and righteous world. He devotes most of his energy and life to such just causes. 

All of the above pastors are certain in their hearts that what they are doing is what they have been called to do. Yet Jeremiah would stand against them for scattering their flocks. He would demand that each pastor ask himself what God's Word says. Is he entering the sheepfold by climbing over the wall rather than by going through the door? Is he teaching his flock first and always to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd? 

More on this next time.