The Shepherd's Crook

  Show Notes The Pastor with a misplaced identity will drift toward “CEO pastoring” or being the “Shepherding shepherd” who cares for the church over his family. Quotes from the episode God hates visionary dreaming; it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. The man who fashions a visionary ideal of community demands that it be realized by God, by others, and by himself. He enters the community of Christians with his demands, sets up his own law, and judges the brethren and God himself accordingly. He stands adamant, a living reproach to all others in the circle of brethren. He acts as if he is the creator of the Christian community, as if his dream binds men together. When things do not go his way, he calls the effort a failure. When his ideal picture is destroyed, he sees the community going to smash. So he becomes, first the accuser of his brethren, then an accuser of God and finally the despairing accuser of himself. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together Article Recommendation http://theshepherdscrook.co/5-callings-of-a-pastor/ Book Recommendation Jared Wilson The Pastors Justification https://www.amazon.com/Pastors-Justification-Applying-Christ-Ministry/dp/1433536641/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1535983753&sr=8-1&keywords=the+pastors+justification

The Shepherd’s Crook Podcast Episode 5 is now posted. Below is an article to complement the podcast. “Remember Christ Jesus, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached by my gospel.” 2 Timothy 2:8 Really, Paul? That’s what you need to tell Timothy? Timothy is a pastor! Has he forgotten about Jesus already? This morning, I need what Timothy needed. I need to be reminded of Jesus. Sometimes I wonder about gospel-centrality – “Are we just reacting to the moralistic seeker stuff of the previous decades?” Then, I open my Bible and I am shaken back into reality. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul tells Timothy: “Remember Jesus Christ.” Ahhh. Like water for the soul. Timothy needed a reminder! It’s like Paul reached through the pages, grabbed Timothy by the shoulders, looked him in the eye, and said, “Don’t forget about Jesus!” Come on Paul! That’s so rudimentary! But with the Holy Spirit, the simple truth is always pregnant with power. So Paul continues: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead.” Like Pastor Timothy, we need a constant reminder, even now, that Jesus is alive! The Jesus we are called to remember is the Jesus who is still living. He is the only Person in history of whom we can remind ourselves of a life, death, and resurrection. Lest we forget the uniqueness of the God-Man, remember Him and that He is alive! But wait, the rabbit hole goes deeper. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David.” 2 Timothy 2:8 “Hey, Pastor Timothy! Jesus is alive and He is the one who was long promised!” Paul does not want Timothy to forget. There is an eternal King who sits on the throne forever. Jesus’ authority, however, does not stop with one nation. Oh, no. The Offspring of David has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). We must remember that Jesus is our reigning King! “Timothy don’t forget.” Christian, don’t forget! From the aging pastor Paul to the seasoned pastor Timothy, both needed to remember Jesus Christ. Pastor friends, we do too. Remember him. And when we forget again, be encouraged, He will never forget you!