Christian Shepherd

A Christian shepherd leads God's flock as first described by Jesus in the Gospels (John 10:1-15). Around 62 CE, Apostle Peter gives an outline for fellow shepherds to follow. About the same time, the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy a more descriptive approach as to how shepherds should conduct themselves.

Shepherd conduct
Therefore, as a fellow shepherd, a witness of the sufferings of the Christ and a sharer of the glory that is to be revealed, I make this appeal to the shepherds among you:
 * Shepherd the flock of God under your care, serving as overseers,
 * Not under compulsion, but willingly before God;
 * Not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly;
 * Not lording it over those who are God’s inheritance,
 * But becoming examples to the flock.

And when the chief shepherd has been made manifest, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. - (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Shepherd the flock of God under your care, serving as overseers

 * '''John 10:1-6

[1] “Most truly I say to you, the one who does not enter into the sheepfold through the door but climbs in by another way, that one is a thief and a plunderer. [2] But the one who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] The doorkeeper opens to this one, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] When he has brought all his own out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. [5] They will by no means follow a stranger but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” [6] Jesus spoke this comparison to them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. [7] So Jesus said again: “Most truly I say to you, I am the door for the sheep. [8] All those who have come in place of me are thieves and plunderers; but the sheep have not listened to them. [9] I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved, and that one will go in and out and find pasturage. [10] The thief does not come unless it is to steal and slay and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance. [11] I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his life in behalf of the sheep. [12] The hired man, who is not a shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong, sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and flees—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them— [13] because he is a hired man and does not care for the sheep.

Not under compulsion, but willingly before God
I am the fine shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I surrender my life in behalf of the sheep. - ''(John 10:14, 15)

Not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly

 * ''Paul's discourse to Timothy written sometime between 61 CE - 64 CE.
 * [1] This statement is trustworthy: If a man is reaching out to be an overseer, he is desirous of a fine work. [2] The overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach, [3] not a drunkard, not violent, but reasonable, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, [4] a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having his children in subjection with all seriousness [5] (for if any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he care for the congregation of God?), [6] not a newly converted man, for fear that he might get puffed up with pride and fall into the judgment passed on the Devil. [7] Moreover, he should also have a fine testimony from outsiders so that he does not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil.
 * - (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

Not lording it over those who are God’s inheritance

 * ''Paul's encouragement to the Corinthians in mid 55 CE.
 * Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing. (2 Corinthians 1:24)

But becoming examples to the flock

 * ''Apostle Paul's encouragement to the Thessalonians around 51 CE.
 * Not that we do not have authority, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate. (2 Thessalonians 3:9)


 * ''Apostle Paul's admonition to the Philippians around 60 CE.
 * Unitedly become imitators of me, brothers, and keep your eye on those who are walking in a way that is in harmony with the example we set for you. (Philippians 3:17)