True Shepherds vs. Hirelings: The Undying Call of Leadership
John 10:12
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
It ought to be our prayer that God would give us once again an abundance of genuine God-called pastors who are in ministry for the people they minister to more than for themselves. One cannot call himself a true pastor who flees the scene at the first sign of trouble. A good shepherd will stay until the fight is over, the wolf is gone, and peace and security are restored to the flock. The greatest men of God are not those polished and refined by our educational systems and man-built colleges, but those tried in the fires of adversity who have come out on the other side as pure as gold. We as pastors do not often willingly or readily sign up for trouble, but it certainly does come with the territory. God needs some men who will protect His sheep from the wolves. No one ever said that it would be easy. There is certainly nothing fun about standing up to a big, bad, ugly, snarling, growling, hungry, mean, foul, wolf-like spirit or personality, but someone must take that stand for the sake of the sheep. I cannot speak for anyone else, but as a pastor, one question that always assures me that I need to continue where I serve when things get rough is this one; what about the sheep? You see, God knew that you had the kind of heart that would not just desert the sheep for your own benefit. That’s why he called you! Those other guys who are always looking for lusher and greener pasture and bigger paychecks may get what they want, but they will never have the power of God that comes to those who will pay the price for the anointing. The anointing comes to those only who genuinely tend to the flock of God with a pure heart. Oh sure, you could possibly find another place of service with seemingly more favorable circumstances, but the true question is, what about the flock you will be leaving behind? God can move you if He wants, but be sure that it is Him, and not someone else moving you. Today I thank God for the men He has placed in my life who truly care for my soul more than they care for my financial contributions to their ministries. I say, “God, replace our hirelings with real pastors!”
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
It ought to be our prayer that God would give us once again an abundance of genuine God-called pastors who are in ministry for the people they minister to more than for themselves. One cannot call himself a true pastor who flees the scene at the first sign of trouble. A good shepherd will stay until the fight is over, the wolf is gone, and peace and security are restored to the flock. The greatest men of God are not those polished and refined by our educational systems and man-built colleges, but those tried in the fires of adversity who have come out on the other side as pure as gold. We as pastors do not often willingly or readily sign up for trouble, but it certainly does come with the territory. God needs some men who will protect His sheep from the wolves. No one ever said that it would be easy. There is certainly nothing fun about standing up to a big, bad, ugly, snarling, growling, hungry, mean, foul, wolf-like spirit or personality, but someone must take that stand for the sake of the sheep. I cannot speak for anyone else, but as a pastor, one question that always assures me that I need to continue where I serve when things get rough is this one; what about the sheep? You see, God knew that you had the kind of heart that would not just desert the sheep for your own benefit. That’s why he called you! Those other guys who are always looking for lusher and greener pasture and bigger paychecks may get what they want, but they will never have the power of God that comes to those who will pay the price for the anointing. The anointing comes to those only who genuinely tend to the flock of God with a pure heart. Oh sure, you could possibly find another place of service with seemingly more favorable circumstances, but the true question is, what about the flock you will be leaving behind? God can move you if He wants, but be sure that it is Him, and not someone else moving you. Today I thank God for the men He has placed in my life who truly care for my soul more than they care for my financial contributions to their ministries. I say, “God, replace our hirelings with real pastors!”
~ Pastor Gary Caudill