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6) Shepherding Gift –Nurturer 18%

Eph 4:11 And He gave some {as} apostles, and some {as} prophets, and some {as} evangelists, and some {as} pastors and teachers,

The word for shepherd is poimen, meaning "one who takes care of a flock of sheep." The one with the gift of pasturing or shepherding is a person who deeply desires to lead the flock. They posses vision, patience, guidance, appeal and care. One must not confuse the office of the shepherd with the gift of shepherding. One is dealing with passion while the other is dealing with the assigned responsibility of certain men within the church (1 Tim 3 and Titus 1).

Jesus is the True Shepherd

  • Matt 2:6 "'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Ruler, who will shepherd My people Israel.'"
  • John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
  • John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me,
  • Heb 13:20-21 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, {even} Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom {be} the glory forever and ever. Amen.
  • 1 Pet 2:25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
  • 1 Pet 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
  • Rev 7:17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them to springs of the water of life; and God shall wipe every tear from their eyes."

Who are the shepherds?

  1. Those who lead the flock
    1 Pet 5:1-3 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as {your} fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to {the will of} God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock
  2. Those who feed the flock
    John 21:15-17 15"...Feed my lambs...", 16 "...Feed my sheep..." 17 "...Feed my sheep." (KJV)
  3. Those who guard the flock
    Acts 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Signs of Maturity

  1. Protective
    1. They guard against wolves. (Acts 20:29 "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock...)
    2. They guard against sheep. (Matt 7:15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.)
    3. They guard against the "roaring lion". (1 Pet 5:8 Be of sober {spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.)
  2. Patient
    1. They are willing to wait for growth.
    2. They are willing to wait for punishment.
    3. They are willing to wait for rescue.
  3. Personal
    1. They know the flock.
    2. They feed the flock.
    3. They unite the flock.

Signs of Immaturity

  1. Independent
    1. They tend to be prideful. (This is because so many depend on them.)
    2. They tend to be controlling. (This is because they often feel that their way is the best way)
    3. They tend to be heroes. (This is because they are so sacrificial.)
  2. Neglectful
    1. They tend to neglect their spouse.
    2. They tend to neglect their children.
    3. They tend to neglect themselves.
  3. Discouraging
    1. They tend to overwork the flock.
    2. They tend to be overly patient.
    3. They tend to be unrealistic.

Some ways to obtain joy with this gift

  1. Start a "New Christian’s Class"
  2. Make regular visits to dropouts, backsliders, shut-ins and young Christians.
  3. Develop strategies to involve members of the church in activities.
  4. Participate in many one on one studies with Christians.
  5. Be a defender of the weak, protecting those who do not defend themselves.
  6. Go to seminars on leadership. This will often lead to developing their talent.
  7. Teach a class on giftedness for the equipping of the saints.
  8. Be involved in church discipline.
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