Dangers of Unbiblical Shepherding

As I prepare for the seminar on Biblical Shepherding and examine certain biblical texts, I test my own heart, the approaches to shepherding at GFC, and in general the role of shepherding in the local church of our time. I will be sharing some observations and conclusions over the next several weeks.

Let’s begin with the dangers that arise when unbiblical shepherding is present in the church. Unfortunately, this is a fairly widespread problem in modern Church.

The Bible contains many examples of ineffective shepherding. These examples have a rebuking power. They expose various problems of shepherding that have existed throughout all times, as well as in our own day. The problem is that the people of God do not speak about this openly, whereas God, through the prophets in the Old Testament, through Jesus Christ, and through the apostles, constantly exposed the problem of false, unbiblical shepherding.

Study several biblical texts that expose the destructive influence of unbiblical shepherding: Isaiah 56:10-12; Jeremiah 23:1-4; Ezekiel 34; Matthew 23; Luke 11:37-54; John 10:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Acts 20:28-30.

What is the danger of ineffective shepherding? What is its destructive influence?

• It usurps God’s shepherding and His authority.
• It turns people away from devoted love for God.
• It cuts off their desire to obey God.
• It diminishes the person, ministry, and shepherding of Christ.
• It hinders the work of the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts.
• It demonstrates pride and a lack of humility in pastors.
• It produces proud and shallow Christians.
• It multiplies the unpersuaded and careless Christians.
• It robs people of God’s guidance through His Word.
• It leaves people spiritually hungry and blind.
• It makes people feed on lies and all sorts of harmful food.
• It makes the pastor far more guilty before God.
•  It provokes the holy wrath of God.

The conclusion is simple: we need to pray for the pastors not only of our own church but of the churches in general, that God would instill in their hearts fear and trembling before Him, and love for the truth and for people. We also need to encourage every step taken by them in the right direction. 

Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine:

A request from elders: Dear Church, if you are sick or know of someone who is sick and cannot attend services and be in fellowship with other believers, please let us know so we can visit them.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23