The Challenge of Faithful Shepherding
Written by Paul Detterman, PFR Executive Director   
Wednesday, 10 September 2008 12:50
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I have now had the opportunity to lead the first four of the PFR Regional Gatherings, meeting face to face with nearly 300 people. Each gathering is different, reflecting the questions and concerns of God's people in that particular region of the PC(USA). There have been predictable questions about the upcoming presbytery votes, efforts at reshaping the denomination to allow evangelicals to minister with integrity, property, and per capita. There have also been heart-rending questions like, "How could our denomination have gotten to this place?"

However, one unusual question stands out: "Why is PFR doing this? Why have you let politics and issues take over PFR's ministry?" The answer comes when we acknowledge the challenge of good shepherding.

Toward the end of John's gospel, Jesus confronted a repentant Peter with one question so crucial to his discipleship that Jesus asked it three times, "Do you love me?"

Peter, in increasing earnestness answered, "Lord, you know I do."

"Then," Jesus said, "Feed my lambs--shepherd my sheep."

We are living is an uncommon and decisive moment in the life of our denomination, and in the history of Christ's Church. Powerful forces that fuel a self-deceived and self-absorbed culture are co-opting, coercing, and now bankrolling the corruption of the Christian gospel, attempting to neuter the power, deny the transforming grace, and relativise the authentic love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. The result is a system of pseudo-Christian convictions that claim nothing special and offer nothing unique. This is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Scripture reveals a different faith. Jesus' death and resurrection destroyed the corrupting power of sin and death. God's people need never be captive to a culture of self-absorbed, self-deceived manipulation. God's people need never accept the lie that says to any human being, "You are what you are--enjoy it!" Jesus commissioned Peter to feed and tend his vulnerable sheep. Christ's perpetual commission was to go into the world, preaching, teaching, and embodying transforming grace; separating lies from truth and deception from honesty; shepherding the "sheep" and being attentive to the most vulnerable.

That Great Commission is at the core of our ministry as PFR prepares people for the impending presbytery votes, instigates discussions on the long-term structure of the PC(USA), and even address things like property and per capita along with offering the Wee Kirk conferences, women's leadership forums, congregational renewal weekends, and officer preparation that define our ongoing ministries.

God's people are being deceived and hurt by cultural capitulation in the Church. A culture of brokenness is telling people who are living broken lives that their brokenness is part of God's plan. A deceived church says nothing. In the midst of an increasingly pluralistic world, the promise and eternal hope uniquely found in Jesus Christ is being sold out as just another faith system. A deluded church offers no correction.

As a central part of the ministry that is PFR, we are committed to proclaiming God's transforming truth in compassionate love; equipping biblically faithful leaders for current debates and challenges to come, and in so doing, continuing to help Christ followers recover the joy and hope that are hallmarks the gospel. That is the challenge of faithful shepherding.

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