Elder Wisdom by Janics
What is a Shepherd?
Most of us are familiar with the 23rd Psalm, or at least we have heard it at lots of funerals. It is one of the many reasons not to take the Bible exactly literally because it isn’t really about sheep. It’s a metaphor for us as human beings. While the Bible does speak of real sheep (and goats and camels and oxen and asses (meaning donkeys), most often it is used metaphorically.
Even today, the principal job of a real shepherd is to guard the flock, keep it safe from prey, and be sure it has food, water, and a place to rest. A good shepherd sometimes carries a sick or wounded sheep in his arms or over his shoulders.
In our culture (and in the 23rd Psalm), God is the ultimate “shepherd,” and Pastor Tiff may be perceived as “second in command.” As Rush Creek has dealt with fewer staff during the last few years, I have been troubled by the huge responsibility our pastors have carried for such a large and diverse flock. My heart sang as we welcomed by unanimous vote our new full-time associate pastor, Rev. Mason Wagner, to help Tiff.
Rush Creek also has a second team of “shepherds,” your elders. Our church’s Constitution lists eleven responsibilities of elders. One of them is to “Be responsible for the health of the congregation for purposes of pastoral and spiritual guidance.” Your ten active elders include Anna Lee Caudry, Vicki Davis, Robert Gamblin, Jo Beth Jimerson, Janice Lord, Jeanette Martin, Debbi Morris, Lois Olmstead, Kara Reyna (convenor), and Vicki Stewart. You will see us opening the service, praying at the Table, and other aspects of worship, but our responsibilities go well beyond that. The active membership is divided among us, and you have one of us as your shepherd. We understand that if you have a significant need, your first call or text likely will be to the church (817-465-5261) to inform Tiff, Mason, or Emily. They may be available for direct assistance, or they may pass on your request to one of us. Perhaps you worry that your need is not big enough to ”bother” your staff. In that case, we are ready to help – no matter what your need. We will help you materially, we will come pray with you, we will bring you communion on Sundays if you let us know – or most anything else a good shepherd would do for her sheep.
