Should Elders show concern for the sheep???

by KAYTEE 18 Replies latest jw friends

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  CaptainSchmideo

  I just heard from the Society's representative, CO Kenneth Gritten,(speaking from the platform) that the elders are not going to spend a lot of time trying to help ones that aren't very enthusiastic about being helped. Such Warmth! Can you feel the LOVE!? Jesus' illustration of the Shepherd seeking out that one lost sheep was just so much namby pamby liberal mush!

  If I had to classify our religion, it's not a Christian religion, it's a Paul-ian religion. To the JWs, Jesus was O.K., but Paul! There was guy who knew how to run things! Of course, Paul was the ultimate Pharisee's Pharisee before he "converted" and ultimately became top dog in a brand new religious movement. But the whole Society's structure, from the top down, runs on the example of Paul's "Rules of Being Christian" that pretty much just permeates his writing.

  Sorry if I got a little off topic, but the last CO visit just pretty much confirmed that I am (mentally) done with this nonsense!
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  stillajwexelder

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  w963/15p.24HowChristianShepherdsServeYou***

  IN MANY places it is possible to observe how shepherds attend to a flock. They lead, protect, and provide for the sheep. This is of interest to Christian elders, since their work includes shepherding activities. Indeed, it is their responsibility "to shepherd the congregation of God" and ‘to pay attention to all the flock.’—Acts 20:28.
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  stillajwexelder

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  w963/15p.25HowChristianShepherdsServeYou***

  Why

  DoesaShepherdVisitYou?

  When an elder visits a home, he is prepared to encourage fellow believers and help them to be firm in the faith. (Romans 1:11) So when one or two elders wish to visit you, how do you react? Said one traveling overseer: "If shepherding calls are made only when something is not quite right, initial reaction to the proposed visit may be, ‘What have I done wrong?’" Loving spiritual shepherds imitate Jehovah, who took care of the psalmist and always ‘refreshed his soul,’ especially in times of distress and special need.—Psalm 23:1-4.

  The objective of a shepherding call is ‘to build up, not to tear down.’ (2 Corinthians 13:10) Encouraging, indeed, are words of appreciation for the endurance, the zeal, and the faithful work of the one visited. One elder observed: "On a shepherding call, it is not good to give the impression that one has come with the intention of discovering and discussing problems. Of course, the publisher himself might want to talk about some particular difficulty. And if a sheep is limping or isolating himself from the rest of the flock, the elder needs to do something to help."
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  stillajwexelder

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  w963/15pp.26-27HowChristianShepherdsServeYou***

  Personal contact is therefore necessary if a trusting relationship is to exist between the shepherd and the sheep. The same is true in the Christian congregation. An elder noted: "Being known in the congregation as an elder who regularly visits the sheep makes it easier to call on one who has problems." Hence, spiritual shepherds should not try to feed and care for the sheep exclusively at the Kingdom Hall. As far as circumstances allow, elders should get to know the sheep by making shepherding calls at their homes. One Christian recalls that when he was a newly appointed elder, the presiding overseer telephoned and asked him to visit and comfort a brother who had just lost his daughter in a dreadful road accident. The elder admits: "How awful I felt, since I had never called on the brother and did not even know where he lived! It was a relief when a mature elder offered to come with me." Yes, elders assist one another on shepherding calls.

  In preparing for and making certain shepherding calls, an elder may be joined by a ministerial servant who is reaching out for the "fine work" of an overseer. (1 Timothy 3:1, 13) How much a ministerial servant appreciates seeing how an elder serves the sheep on shepherding calls! Elders and ministerial servants thus get closer to all in the congregation, strengthening the bonds of Christian love and unity.—Colossians 3:14.
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  stillajwexelder

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  w007/1p.28ChristianShepherds,‘OpenWideYourHeart’!***

  Shepherding the flock in accordance with the pattern set by Jehovah and Christ Jesus is no easy task, but it is more vital now than ever before. Think of the over one million Witnesses who have been baptized within the past three years! Such new ones do not have the spiritual background that comes from years of activity. Think, too, of those Witnesses who are still children or teenagers. They need attention not only from their parents but also from the congregation’s undershepherds.
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  stillajwexelder

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  w935/15p.17ShepherdtheFlockofGodWillingly***

  Shepherd

  theFlockofGodWillingly

  "Shepherd the flock of God in your care, not under compulsion, but willingly."—1 PETER 5:2.

  JEHOVAH shepherds his people willingly. (Psalm 23:1-4) "The fine shepherd," Jesus Christ, willingly gave his perfect human life for sheeplike people. (John 10:11-15) Hence, the apostle Peter exhorted Christian elders to ‘shepherd God’s flock willingly.’—1 Peter 5:2.

  2

  Willingness is a mark of God’s servants. (Psalm 110:3) But more than a Christian man’s willingness is required for appointment as an overseer, or undershepherd. Who qualify to be such shepherds? What does their shepherding involve? How is it best accomplished?
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  stillajwexelder

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  w8511/15p.24par.7Elders,TakeYourShepherdingResponsibilities Seriously ***

  7

  Peter said that the shepherding work should be done "neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly." The appointed elders do not desire to be a burden to the sheep. That was the apostle Paul’s attitude, for he told Christians in Thessalonica: "Certainly you bear in mind, brothers, our labor and toil. It was with working night and day, so as not to put an expensive burden upon any one of you, that we preached the good news of God to you." He also reminded them: "We did not behave disorderly among you nor did we eat food from anyone free. To the contrary, by labor and toil night and day we were working so as not to impose an expensive burden upon any one of you."—1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7, 8.
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  stillajwexelder

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  w745/1p.281TenderlyCompassionate—LikeOurGod***

  In order to be effective those shepherds serving under Christ must act as he did and from the same motives. They must learn to be tenderly compassionate, particularly toward those conscious of their spiritual need. And this is all the more true in our day, for now we are living in the most distressing times of all. Multitudes are spiritually blind and lame and deaf and hungry, in dire need of the fine shepherding that Jesus had in mind for them. If you are a follower of Christ, do you see yourself following his example in this respect? Are you also keenly concerned about the crowds that are "skinned and thrown about"? Are you taking hold of such practical means as are at your disposal to alleviate their spiritually impoverished condition?
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  KAYTEE

  stillajwexelder,

  Another instance where love and concern was not shown was when a disabled sister was moving house from one area to another, her husband at this point in time was disfellowshiped and he was committed to a full time job.

  The sister couldn't even bend to pack her belongings. My wife and I helped her for a few days making this move.

  A Ministerial Servant who by "chance" was passing the house, saw that we were helping and "shopped" us to the body of elders.

  Instead of having their consciences pricked (helping "widows" etc.) they had words with me. I can assure you that my words were just as hard hitting back to them. I speak now for myself, I am utterley ashamed utterley, utterley ashamed of ever being in the JWs

  KT