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A Shepherd's Glory 11.15.09
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A Shepherd's Glory

Why would someone do it?

That's often the question I'm asked when folks study through God's design for elders as shepherding leaders in His church. And there are a lot of answers to that question, but here are a few to think about:

  • They are called to lead God's people (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2)
  • They are -- sometimes but not often enough -- appreciated and respected by the people they serve (Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
  • They are motivated by seeing people mature and grow toward heaven (1 Thessalonions 2:12)
  • They anticipate the voice of Jesus saying, "Well done!" (Acts 20:32; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
Like Jesus, they serve and surrender many of the normal channels for glory to see God's work come alive in people, knowing they may only receive their true reward when they stand before God face-to-face (Philippians 2:5-11).

For more on a shepherding leader's joy at seeing those they've shepherded growing in the Lord, see this week's Heartlight.org post, "The Greatest Glory."

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A Shepherd's Glory