Praying For Them As
Shepherds
Towards the end of Paul's traveling ministry, he made a pit stop in Miletus to see the leaders of the church at Ephesus. He delineated for them what it meant to be a "shepherd." Paul mentions the importance of humility, honesty, tears, encouragement, spiritual protection, self-sacrifice and burden-sharing in the midst of other pastoral duties.
The terms pastor, bishop, and elder are used interchangeably in the New Testament to describe the same function (I Pet. 5:1-4; Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17-18, 25-28). "Pastor" is one of the most picturesque titles given to the church leader. It is a tender, relational word describing him as a shepherd or herdsman. It was Jesus' favorite word for church leadership as He continually used sheep, lamps, shepherds and flocks in His illustrations.
FOR TODAY: Pray that your pastors will continue leading with a shepherd's heart.
Written by:
Pastor Matt Friend
Assistant Pastor of Youth Ministries
Bible Center Church
Towards the end of Paul's traveling ministry, he made a pit stop in Miletus to see the leaders of the church at Ephesus. He delineated for them what it meant to be a "shepherd." Paul mentions the importance of humility, honesty, tears, encouragement, spiritual protection, self-sacrifice and burden-sharing in the midst of other pastoral duties.
The terms pastor, bishop, and elder are used interchangeably in the New Testament to describe the same function (I Pet. 5:1-4; Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17-18, 25-28). "Pastor" is one of the most picturesque titles given to the church leader. It is a tender, relational word describing him as a shepherd or herdsman. It was Jesus' favorite word for church leadership as He continually used sheep, lamps, shepherds and flocks in His illustrations.
FOR TODAY: Pray that your pastors will continue leading with a shepherd's heart.
Written by:
Pastor Matt Friend
Assistant Pastor of Youth Ministries
Bible Center Church
