A Moment With Pastor Fred

The title pastor comes from the Latin – meaning shepherd. Pastors/elders are shepherds. Living in a metropolitan area we aren’t as familiar with the job of a shepherd. What does a shepherd do? Last week we looked at 2 descriptions of shepherds: they protect and lead the flock. There are 2 more descriptions.

Shepherds feed the flock. Jesus told Peter, Feed my sheep. One of my great loves is the study of God’s Word – and then the opportunity to share my discoveries with you. Congregations need to be disciplined to listen. Encourage children to use restrooms and get a drink prior to the service. When a child leaves the auditorium, I see dozens of heads follow him/her out and then back in. Concentration is lost. We need to be careful about causing distractions.

Shepherds love the sheep. Ancient shepherds gave pet names for their sheep – black ear, brown leg.  Jesus, the great Shepherd calls his own sheep by name. He knows me. He loves you. I speak for Paul and myself – we love you. We love this flock. Anthony will come to love you us as a flock too. Shepherds smell like sheep.

For 46 years I’ve had the great privilege of being called pastor. I’m humbled how God has used me – grateful for sheep who have been a joy and delight to my soul. It is my prayer, along with Paul Krepps, that Holt Baptist enters a relationship of mutual love, respect, obedience and service with Anthony Lange as our newest pastor and elder – for the glory of God and the good of the church.