Therefore, I have a request for the elders among you. … I urge the elders: Like shepherds tend the flock of God among you.  Watch over it.  Don’t shepherd because you must, but do it voluntarily for God.  Don’t shepherd greedily, but do it eagerly.  Don’t shepherd by ruling over those entrusted to you care, but become examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory.  In the same way, I urge you you are younger: accept the authority of elders.  And everyone clothe yourself with humility toward each other.  God stands against the proud, but He gives favor to the humble.  Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power so that He may raise you up in the last day.  …. 1 Peter 5:1 – 6

The Church in America has been hit by three great storms: American individualism, clergy scandals, and lack of respect for authority.  These storms have resulted in a great mistrust between clergy and laity.  It just isn’t the same as it once was.  There was a day when clergy received a lot of respect and carried a lot of authority.  His or her word meant something … to church people and to community people.  Today, the voice of the clergy is quieted, just another voice among many voices calling for our attention.  Clergy were once trusted; now, there is great suspicion.  Clergy were once followed.  When the pastor said: “Brothers and Sisters, I believe God is leading us in this direction or that,” the laity followed.  It was a Shepherding – Sheeping Relationship.  Today, some follow; some abstain totally; and others go into all out rebellion.

In his letter to the church, the Apostle Peter, disciple of Jesus Christ, gave instructions for those who wish to lead God’s people, God’s flock.  I note several:
1.  Lead voluntarily, not as an obligation.
2.  Lead eagerly, not greedily
3.  Lead by serving.
Then, Peter but one word of instruction for Sheep:  Accept the authority of your Shepherd
And finally, Peter gives the key to making it all work … humility.  Humility from the Shepherd and humility from the Sheep as well.

As a Pastor, I have been called to shepherd the flock of God.  I have read and accepted those instructions from Peter as God’s calling upon my life and I have sought to abide by them.  And yet, I think three storms that have hit the American Church when coupled with my personal failures has created an atmosphere where I cannot lead and the church cannot or will not follow.  I want to be better; the church needs me to be better; and God is working to make me better.  My task is to simply humble myself before God and allow Him to do His work in me.  I know and trust that once His work is seen more perfectly in me, then His work through Him will be made more complete.

O God, I weep over your church today, over my lack of leadership and over the church’s reluctance to follow.  Your church needs good under-shepherds and I have failed to be effective.  Your church needs good Sheep and I have failed to train them.  Forgive me, Lord, and work in me to make me more like the Good Shepherd, Jesus your Son.  For I lift this prayer in His holy name … Amen!