by Gregory K. Hollifield
In my younger years of ministry, I imagined that exemplary preaching could grow independently of shepherding care, and I acted as though good sermons earned me the right to neglect careful shepherding of the flock. How foolish of me! The shep herding work of a pastor among the flock tunes the ears of the sheep to their preacher’s voice in a way that no eloquence can, and no amount of eloquence ever overcomes pastoral neglect. Jesus says to every preacher, “Tend my sheep” (John 21:16), for careful shepherding of Christ’s flock goes hand-in-hand with careful preaching to Christ’s flock, and the wise pastor pursues fidelity in both.
If every Marine is a rifleman, then surely every preacher is, and must strive to be, a shepherd.
