“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.”
Acts 20:28 (NLT)
Paul reminds the leaders in Ephesus that the church does not belong to them. God’s people are His flock, purchased with the blood of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit appointed them to feed and shepherd what belongs to God. Leadership in the church is not about title, platform, or control. It is a spiritual assignment to care for people Jesus gave His life to redeem.
That means shepherds have to guard themselves and God’s people with real compassion. They feed the flock by teaching the Word of God, explaining the Word of God, and helping people live for God. They shepherd by caring, praying, protecting, and watching for anything that would pull people away from Jesus. Paul modeled this with tears, both night and day, because shepherding is often a 24/7 assignment without much thanks. The love of a shepherd keeps watch anyway.
But earthly shepherds are not called to become God to the people. They are called to connect people to the Good Shepherd. Psalm 23 reminds us that the Lord is the one who gives rest, renews strength, guides us, protects us, comforts us, prepares a table for us, and pursues us with goodness and unfailing love. God often works through Spirit-filled leaders who are physically beside us, but the goal is always that we would know and walk with God.
So whether our role in the church is sheep or shepherd, God is in the midst of it. We do not follow men or women for their own sake. We follow godly leaders as they follow God, and together we keep our eyes on Jesus. Maybe the invitation today is to look past the face, the name, and the title, and recognize the Holy Spirit working through the people God has appointed around us. And if we are called to shepherd, may we walk with God ourselves before helping others do the same.