A sermon preached by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison at Saint Columba’s United Reformed Church, North Shields, 11 May 2025
Unfortunately, for technical reasons, it was not possible to stream this service
In some churches today is know as “Good Shepherd Sunday,” with a Bible reading in the service that references Jesus’s declaration: ‘I am the good shepherd.’ (John 10:11)
Today, our reading from John’s Gospel includes Jesus describing those who believe in him as sheep who hear his shepherd’s voice: ‘My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.’ (10:27) And for good measure, we have both sung and read Psalm 23: ‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.’ (23:1)
That got me thinking about Elders. And what I think is this: we all need to recognise that Elders are shepherds, but that works best when Elders remember that they are also sheep.
Not many of us like to be thought of as sheep! If I described you as a bunch of sheep I doubt that you would be impressed. Sheep may be cuddly looking, but they are not over-intellectual, they’re easily led, and tend to wander off where they should not go: sheep need shepherds.
The Bible contains several mentions of shepherds. There are sheep herders, like those in the fields outside Bethlehem when Jesus was born. Additionally, leaders are described as shepherds of the people; kings and rulers. So when Jesus described himself as the good shepherd some might have thought he was having a dig at the political and religious leaders of his day, which could get him into trouble.
Since Jesus portrays his followers as a flock of sheep it follows that today’s flock needs some shepherds, some leaders, which in the United Reformed Church means Elders. So, as shepherds, Elders work to ensure the safety and the flourishing of the congregation.
Elders are legally responsible for the appropriate use of the congregation’s finances; Elders must ensure safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable persons. Elders are tasked with encouraging the congregation in its relationship with the wider community, and with other churches; they are responsible for ensuring public worship takes place; and that church members receive appropriate pastoral care – the very word, “pastoral” comes from a context of sheep and shepherds.
That’s quite a lot to ask of those who are our Elders – that all in all they provide the congregation with an experience of what Jesus said he provided for his flock: ‘I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.’ (10:28) If nothing else this a reminder to Elders that the role model for shepherding is the great and good shepherd, Jesus Christ. That’s not just inspiring, though, it’s also daunting, because none of us is Jesus!
That why things work best when not only do the congregation recognise Elders as shepherd-leaders, but also Elders remember that they are also members of the flock; sheep as well as shepherds. That’s not simply about reminding Elders not to get ideas above their station, which in any case has not been a problem I’ve encountered during my time here at Saint Columba’s. It is a reminder that all of us are followers of Jesus Christ; he who cares for us, including those members of the flock called to the weighty responsibilities of being Elders here at Saint Columba’s.
Yes, things work best when congregations recognise the leadership of Elders, and Elders remember they are fellow members of the same flock; all of us cared for by our good shepherd, Jesus Christ, who gives to us eternal life. Amen.