Ezekiel 34 Letter

Shepherding Resource for 3R Helping Center             April 2003

I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick ... Ezekiel 34:16 

Mexico Mission Opportunity

I have the opportunity to assist with a training seminar for pastors in Victoria, Mexico, on Saturday, May 3. This is one of my first opportunities to fulfill the third part of the ChristWalk ministry vision, Leadership Development. The following article presents some of the ideas that I will share with the Pastors in Mexico.

The task of the Pastor is probably the most challenging ministry calling, requiring the application of a wide range of skills and gifts carefully applied with biblical wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is most important that the Pastor be called by God in his ministerial role and led by God as he leads the people. Through prayer and meditation on God’s word and the godly counsel of other pastors and Spirit-filled believers, the pastor can be an effective leader, pleasing to God.

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, describes the God-appointed leader of the people as a shepherd. The shepherd leads, provides for, and protects the flock. Above all, God is the shepherd of every believer (Psalm 23:1) Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd (Matthew 2:6, 1 Peter 5:4). The Christian Pastor as shepherd imitates God and specifically follows the pattern and fulfills the leadership mandates of Jesus Christ. Before His ascension, Jesus specifically questioned and instructed Peter ...

“Jesus said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” John 21:16

The motto of ChristWalk ministries is “Do What Jesus Did.” Our vision stipulates that we endeavor to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission with a focus on ministry strategies emphasized by Christ in Matthew 25:31-40. The Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel provides similar exhortations specifically addressed to shepherds.

I see the role of the shepherd in three major parts: Feed., lead, and restore. Feeding has to do primarily with the ongoing needs of the entire flock, in the normal flow of life. Leading has to do with moving the people in a purposeful direction and calling out and preparing those who will share in leadership roles. Restoration involves the application of the love of God to the needs, problems, and failures of the people - counseling, healing, redeeming, reconciling.

The Tasks of Shepherding: Ezekiel 34

1. Feed - “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, “Thus says the Lord God, “Woe shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?” Ezekiel 34:2

FEEDING: A ministry of provision, providing for the flock what they need; primarily the spiritual food of the word.  “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” Matt 24:45-47
See also 1 Tim 4:11-16, 2 Tim 4:1-5

2. Lead – “ I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord God. Ezekiel 34:15

“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:3-4

To lead is to equip. The New Testament teaches us to EQUIP the saints for ministry. See Ephesians 4:11-13 I see LEADING as having at least three parts.

    a. Vision - Hold forth the vision, the purposes, and goals that God has given to your congregation. The leader must have a sense of God-given conviction and direction, and then go forth as an initiator and a motivator of a kingdom focused agenda. Jesus testified “I know where I came from and I know where I am going.” (John 8:14) He repeatedly stated that he was totally focused on His Father’s will.

    b. Direction - Provide direction about how to get there; what to do, how to do it. Pattern or model the steps and see to it that person has the opportunity to progress, step by step. Pattern leadership is demonstrated by the leader who models the activities of the obedient Christian life. See John 13:15; Phil 3:17; 1 Thes 1:6, 2:5-9, 2 Thes 3:7; 1 Peter 5:2-3

    c. Discipline- Teach the expectations of the obedient life. Exhort the people to be accountable to the church and to each other. Lovingly correct and restore the one who fails. Matt 18:15-17; Heb 12:5-13

3. Restore - “Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and severity you have dominated them.” Ezekiel 34:4

“He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming, and leaves the flock, and flees, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them.” John 10:12

“Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too  be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

In Ezekiel there are five parts of RESTORATION: Strengthen the weak, Heal the diseased, Bind up the broken, Bring back the scattered, Seek the lost.

Many Bible words teach the concept of restoration, including the following meanings: to turn back, bring home again, recover, refresh, rescue, be safe, be completed, make good, make to be at peace, to reconstitute (in health, home, or organization), to complete thoroughly, repair, adjust, mend.