Tenderly Shepherding Jehovah’s Precious Sheep

THE elders listened with rapt attention. They had traveled about 30 miles [50 km] from Ephesus to Miletus to receive instructions from the apostle Paul. Now they were saddened to hear that this would be the last time they would see him. So they knew that the words to follow would be of the utmost importance: “Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.”​—Acts 20:25, 28, 38.

Paul’s brief reference to shepherds surely conveyed a wealth of information to those Ephesian elders. They were acquainted with the work of herding sheep in the surrounding countryside. They were also familiar with the many references to shepherds in the Hebrew Scriptures. And they knew that Jehovah likened himself to a Shepherd of his people.​—Isaiah 40:10, 11.

Paul spoke of them as “overseers” among “the flock,” and as “shepherds” of “the congregation.” Whereas the term “overseers” indicates what their assignment is, the word “shepherd” describes how they are to carry out that oversight. Yes, overseers were to tend to each member of the congregation in the same loving manner that a shepherd would look after his flock of sheep.

Today, few elders have firsthand experience in herding literal sheep. But the Bible makes so many references to both sheep and shepherds, especially in a figurative sense, that Paul’s words have a timeless impact. And much can be learned from the accounts of shepherds whom God favored in ancient times. Their noteworthy examples can help present-day elders to see what qualities they need to develop in order to shepherd the congregation of God.

All of Jehovah’s Sheep Are Precious

Dependable, loving shepherds of Bible times had a sense of responsibility toward each individual sheep. The same should be true of spiritual shepherds. This is clear from Paul’s words: “Pay attention to . . . all the flock.” (Acts 20:28) Who would be included in “all the flock”?

Jesus gave an illustration about a man who had a hundred sheep but promptly searched for one that had strayed in order to bring it back to the flock. (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7) In like manner an overseer should have concern for each member of the congregation. Inactivity in the ministry or in attending Christian meetings does not mean that the sheep is no longer part of the flock. He remains part of “all the flock” for whom the elders must “render an account” to Jehovah.

One body of elders became quite concerned that some who had been associated with the congregation had drifted into inactivity. A list of these individuals was prepared, and special effort was made to visit them and assist them to return to Jehovah’s sheepfold. How thankful to God these elders were that over a period of two and a half years, they were able to help more than 30 persons to become active in Jehovah’s service once again. One of those thus helped had been inactive for some 17 years!

The weight of this responsibility is further impressed on overseers by the fact that the sheep were “purchased with the blood of [God’s] own Son.” (Acts 20:28) No higher price could have been paid for these precious sheep. And think of all the time and effort that is spent in the ministry to locate and assist each sheeplike person! Should not a similar effort be made to keep all of them within God’s sheepfold? Certainly, every sheep in the congregation is precious.

Even when a member of the flock becomes involved in serious wrongdoing, the elders’ responsibility does not change. They continue to be concerned shepherds, tenderly and mildly endeavoring to save the wrongdoer if at all possible. (Galatians 6:1, 2) Regrettably, in certain instances it becomes evident that a member of the congregation lacks godly sorrow for serious sins that he has committed. Loving shepherds then have a Scriptural responsibility to protect the rest of the flock against this contaminating influence.​—1 Corinthians 5:3-7, 11-13.

Even so, Jehovah God sets the perfect example of extending mercy to straying sheep. Our compassionate Shepherd says: “The lost one I shall search for, and the dispersed one I shall bring back, and the broken one I shall bandage and the ailing one I shall strengthen.” (Ezekiel 34:15, 16; Jeremiah 31:10) In imitation of this superb example, a loving arrangement has been made for modern-day spiritual shepherds to visit disfellowshipped persons, who may now respond to their help. These merciful efforts to recover such lost sheep have yielded fine fruitage. One reinstated sister said: “When the elders called, it was the encouragement that I needed to come back.”

Without a doubt Paul’s words to the Ephesian elders at Miletus were packed with meaning​—for them and for overseers today. His reference to shepherds was a reminder of the appealing qualities that should be evident in overseers​—qualities such as humility and courage, as exemplified by the shepherd-king David; a personal sense of responsibility and protective care, evident in Jacob’s day-and-night service; and a willingness to accept further training patiently, as shown by Moses. Indeed, these Biblical examples will help congregation elders to develop and display the qualities needed so that they may tenderly “shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.”