By FBB Contributor

In an ideal world the church of Jesus Christ would be understood as God’s solution to every social problem known to man. The church is more than that, of course, but it will never be less. The question is, why isn’t this solution for world problems already obvious? Think about it. In a future time, when everyone acknowledges the church’s value, worshippers would be given a foretaste of the heavenly joy and glory that, by promise, is already theirs. They would experience fellowship in the Spirit, assuring them of God’s promises and power. They would understand themselves to be worshipping within concentric circles that extend beyond the walls of any building to include all the worshippers in their city, their nation, the world, and every saint throughout time. In other words, they would know themselves, as they should know now, to be vitally and personally connected to the raison d'etre of the universe. And that, my friends, is a comforting, enlivening, and transforming experience.

But since this ideal church would still be located in the real world, that is, the fallen world, it would of necessity possess a characteristic less attractive than those listed above. I’m talking about accountability. And by accountability, I mean first, the informal, and quite natural encouragement that occurs when people live in close association with one another. In other words, the church is where God puts the iron that sharpens your face (Proverbs 27:17). The church is where godly affections stir us to serve one another rather than demand to be served. By means of such universal service, we grow in grace. But I suspect you know that already. Where else did you think you would find such essential accountability? At work? At school?

In addition, the church offers a more formal accountability for those times when members fail to rise to minimum standards. “Aye,” says a Scotsman in the crowd, “there’s the rub. Who wants to be rebuked, whether publicly or in private? No one.” A chorus of Christians says “Amen” to the Scot, and that’s why most modern churches shrink from doing the one thing necessary for there to be any hope of achieving the ideal state for which the church is destined.

Funny, how clearly we see this truth outside the church. We hate it when we see someone excused for shoplifting. Why? Because we know that excusing one shoplifter only encourages more shoplifting. Why, then, do we not take seriously the need for formal discipline within the church? The answer is simple. Elders, including pastors, lack the stomach to force the issue and see it through. But elders have no choice. According to God’s word, it is with them that the buck stops (Acts 20:25-35). No one else has been designated by God to hold church members accountable for public, sub-Christian behaviour.

Parenthetically, indications are that in North America church discipline died out in the 1930s. It should come as no surprise, then, that some 80 to 90 years later, secular governments have also lost the stomach to hold malefactors accountable for their crimes. Perhaps instead of railing at judges for failing to enforce the laws of the land, we should take another look at whether our church pastors and elders are enforcing the laws of God within the church! Is it possible that by changing the church we will also change the world?

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GIVE TODAY!

One change we could make would be to get back to using biblical words to describe biblical tasks. For instance, why do we call a spiritual leader “pastor,” when the more biblical term is shepherd? That makes sense, doesn’t it? Logically, the man responsible for shepherding sheep is a shepherd. And in Scripture, sheep is the very word God uses (Jesus uses) when He speaks of His people. Btw, calling God’s people sheep isn’t meant to be a compliment. Sheep need leading. They need shepherds to protect them from dangers they don’t see. Sheep wander. They behave foolishly. Moreover, sheep possess little with which to defend themselves, neither the tusks of the hog, nor the size and horns, or temperament of the cow. Thus, more than any other farm animal, sheep need the constant, watchful eye and staff of the shepherd. Is that how today’s church shepherds see themselves? Do they realise that they are the watchful eye and staff of God, called to defend His sheep against their enemies, and to keep them from wandering?

Do they realise, as well, that they are called to teach the sheep to love God’s gentle authority in their lives? “My sheep hear my voice,” Jesus told the Jews, “and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Dear under-shepherd of an Alberta sheepfold, when you speak to your sheep, do they hear Jesus’ voice? Or do they hear the voice of a woke, social justice warrior? Do you lead your sheep to find spiritual food in biblical pastures? Or do you try to feed them on the husks of worldly perspectives and fleshly delights? Authority is a funny thing. If you try to exercise it on your own, the sheep are tempted to scatter. But if you are clearly bringing them into the presence of the Good Shepherd, the people see you as an extension of the One Who’s voice they have already grown to love.

Most sheep have been abused at some point, thus they are suspicious of all shepherds until they know for certain that you are speaking His truth, with His voice. Parents, what I have said goes for you, too. Children rebel when parents exercise their own authority. But when they know you are constrained by love, that you are serving your little sheep with love from the Great Shepherd of all the sheep, they cannot resist your leadership for long (Hebrews 13:20).

Where does that leave us sheep? We are under a mandate to submit to our under-shepherds as if we were submitting to Christ (Hebrews 13:17), while under-shepherds are called to submit to the Good Shepherd as if they were leading us in His place—because that is what they are doing. It isn’t easy, being an under-shepherd, which means they really need our prayers! Remember, fellow sheep, the more we pray for our shepherds, the better we will be led (Jer. 23:1-4). You may not be thrilled with your shepherd today, but that’s no excuse to bail on him. Considering the difficulties of his task I think you should cut him some slack. Next time you read the New Testament, take note of the many varied responsibilities he has, (Acts 20:28-30); and mention the name of your shepherd in your prayer closet. He deserves your respect, having obeyed from the heart Christ’s call to a demanding career of looking after sheep.

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