This week in Support Group many shared how they have been hurt by pastors and ministry leaders. I am also reading a new book that was just released called “After Church Hurt- Healing in the Care of the Good Shepherd” by Timothy St. John. One of this author’s main points is to always seek care from the True Shepherd even while under the care of a shepherd of your local church. Here a few verses to meditate on about the True Shepherd.
From John 10: “ I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. V10-11: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
V14-15: I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep….v18 I lay it down of my own accord.
Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake. ….v4 you are with me, your rod and staff, they comfort me. …v6 surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
From St. John: “Those entrusted with power over God’s people fail and God faithfully keeps his promise to shepherd his people.God designed us to thrive under shepherding, and without it, we go astray; we are sheep. We need a shepherd.” Ministry leaders are going to fail us. They are going to hurt us; either intentionally or unintentionally. This is not easy. And this is very painful. We need shepherds of our local churches because we are sheep. However, we must always stay focused and near to The Good Shepherd who laid down his life for us in the midst of whatever hurt we are experiencing. He came that we may have abundant life!
