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.