Leaders Devotion 11: Gathering God's Flock

We continue this week with the word of the Lord as given to the shepherds of Judah through the prophet Jeremiah:

"Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number" (Jeremiah 23:2-3). What can we learn about a church leader's role from these two verses?

1. Shepherds are to gather, not scatter the flock.

2. God considers it an "evil" act for shepherds to do otherwise.

3. God will personally intervene on their behalf to gather them and bring them back.

4. It's important that the shepherd provide pasture for the flock. In other words, the sheep need fed.

5. God's goal for the flock is that it be fruitful and increase in numbers.

What else do you see from this passage concerning how you are to actively care for God's flock? What changes do you need to make in your leadership style to enable God's goals for the flock to be met? How can you achieve these objectives outside of Sunday worship services? Technology? Small group meetings? How can you reach more sheep of His flock?