The Church: Shepherd/Teacher (Part 19)

Doc Ryan & Dr. Matt with Expedition 44 discuss the “5-fold gift” of the shepherd-teacher. At the end of this episode we were joined by Dr. Steve Cassell and Pastor Ryan Smith of Beloved church to talk about how they live out this gifting in their community Shepherding/Teaching o Cares for and develops the people of God by leading, nurturing, protecting, and discipling them o The teaching aspect clarifies the mind and will of God as found in the Bible so that people can gain wisdom and understanding in following Jesus as a disciple. Focus/Tasks o Cultivate a loving and spiritually mature network of relationships and community o Discern o Guide o Help the faith community to explore and seek to understand the mind of God o Disciple Impact when Shepherding is a monopolized gift o Closed, non-missional community o Co-dependency between the church and pastor (hierarchy/CEO mentality- messiah complex) o Don’t rock the boat approach to organization o Too passive and insider focused Impact when Teaching is a monopolized gift o Theological dogmatism o Christian Gnosticism (saved by knowledge) o Bible and Theology replaces the Holy Spirit o Control through ideas (Pharisaism- is it lawful?) Summary o Jesus is the Shepherd. Pastor is not an office or position in the Bible but a function o The chief task of the shepherds/teachers was to help the church in times of personal crisis (shepherding) and to enlighten and cultivate the church’s spiritual life by revealing Christ through the exposition of Scripture (teaching). o One must learn before they teach o Those who function in shepherding are to be mature believers (“elders”). o Teaching and shepherding are gifts for the unity and building up of the body to reflect Jesus Christ. o Shepherding is about service and discipleship and not rule or authority.