Comments on: Go and Make Disciples

By: briank

briank — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:14:37 +0000

Hi Kang, I would agree with your statement that Jesus’ command “applies to every Christian”. Indeed, I would say that every Christian is called to participate in the Master’s business of making disciples. What point are you attempting to make? Could you clarify? Thanks!

By: Kang

Kang — Tue, 08 May 2012 01:49:18 +0000

http://www.amazon.com/Message-Mark-Bible-Speaks-Today/dp/0830812318
This book,recalled from my reading experience,says the great command applies to every christian.
I just want to hear from you about this point if you have time to read that book.

Thank you.

By: briank

briank — Sat, 05 May 2012 15:24:36 +0000

Here are some excellent further thoughts on this subject. If one-on-one discipleship is explained in a way that is not lording over and is part of the community, I understand it:

http://www.pathwaysinternational.org/2011/09/the-merits-and-demerits-of-individual-discipleship/

By: briank

briank — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:58:38 +0000

Well-said, Chris. You captured and enhanced my thinking about this important subject. So if we consider the eldership, a plurality of leaders, then yes, I’m convinced “feed my sheep” has a leadership application to it.

Your point about “lording over” is significant. Someone blogged recently about this type of “leadership”. He wrote that if the people you are trying to lead feel fearful or are hesitant to come to you with problems or questions, or if they feel controlled, you are lording your authority over them, no matter what you think or what your intentions are.

This whole topic is very helpful to me to unbind my mind from UBFisms.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:52:03 +0000

Good points. I agree that it’s important to make a distinction between “feed sheep” and “make disciples”. UBF even goes a step further, they don’t just “make disciples” but “raise” or “train” disciples, and they understand and accomplish it very similar to how parents raise children. In German they use the word “Jüngererziehung” where “Jünger” means “disciple” and “erziehung” is the very same word Germans use for parenting and training young children.

As you say, there is a huge difference between “feeding sheep” and “training disciples”. Did you ever see a shepherd who tried to “train” his sheep to do things sheep normally don’t do? No, a shepherd just gives them to eat, cares for them, protects them.

I believe the task “feed my sheep” is for all shepherds in the church, which are actually the elders. If you read the book of acts and epistles, “shepherds” and “elders” are used synonymously. And you’re right, there were no 1:1 shepherd-sheep relations, but the community of elders cared together for the whole flock, and they all together were witnesses and cared for the people in the world. It was a community effort. No single person should get any special honor or special authority.

1 Peter 5 is a key passage. Peter writes: “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder … Be shepherds of God’s flock, … not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve, not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

Note how Peter particularly writes to the elders, how he appeals to them as fellows, not how he demands from them as their superior. Note how both shepherds and flock are mentioned as communities, no mention of any 1:1 relationship. And last but not least, note how he admonishes them to nor “lord over” the flock. To me UBF is like a group that tries to behave in a way that is as opposed to these verses as possible.

By: David Bychkov

David Bychkov — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:25:00 +0000

I see what you are talking about. And I’m wrestling with this question too. If I will find some valid thought I’ll let you know

By: briank

briank — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:09:29 +0000

Hi David, I would agree that there are specific callings within the body of Christ, such as some are apostles, some are teachers, etc. And I know there are multiple levels to “feed my sheep”, so perhaps it is correct to say “feed my sheep” is for church leaders.

I’m not convinced this holds up however. Is there something you see that leads you to believe Jesus gave Peter the command “feed my sheep” because he would become a church leader? Perhaps, but I’m not persuaded of this as of now.

By: David Bychkov

David Bychkov — Sat, 05 May 2012 13:05:04 +0000

Don’t you think Peter was told those words b/c he was to be one of church leaders – fellow elder or co-shepherd? I think it is quite legal to interprete those words directly for those who are called to be in biblical church leadership.