The lecture addressed the concept of “the shepherd” in the Bible from a Coptic Orthodox Christian perspective, affirming that the Lord himself is the true shepherd and that humans become shepherds in the sense that they carry the presence of the true shepherd within them to perform pastoral care. The lecture also distinguished between the good shepherd and the hireling, and between genuine pastoral care that seeks the salvation and tending of the sheep and shepherds who tend themselves and neglect the people. The lecture stated that pastoral care is not power or luxury but self-sacrifice and service to the flock.

Biblical references and scriptural basis

The lecture cited several texts: the Gospel of John (the image of the good shepherd), the Shepherd Psalm (Psalm 23), the Letter to the Hebrews, the epistles of Peter, Acts (the chapter from Miletus), and Ezekiel (33, 34) which warn negligent shepherds. It also mentioned the image of the seven stars and lampstands in Revelation to illustrate that the flock and the shepherds are all in the Lord’s hand.

Elements of pastoral care and its fruits

The speaker identified four elements of pastoral care according to the Shepherd Psalm: spiritual food, spiritual drink, restoration/return if a person strays, and guidance to the ways of righteousness. He also affirmed that the shepherd earnestly seeks the sinner and the lost (as in the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15) and cares for all types of wandering: from ignorance, from being lost by another, and from intentional straying.

Characteristics of true shepherds

He pointed to virtues learned from tending sheep: gentleness, meekness, patience, compassion, and guiding with kindness (the rod and staff as symbols of loving correction). He also warned that shepherds are responsible before the Lord; Ezekiel rebukes those who feed themselves and do not feed the sheep.

Responsibility of ordination and title

He explained the difference between the bishop as shepherd and the priest, and drew attention to ordination rites (the pastoral staff) and the specificity of the title, noting differences in translation and naming between traditions (for example the use of “pastor” among Protestants).

Pastoral exhortation and guidance

The lecture calls shepherds to humility and service to the flock as a divine trust, and not to turn their office into a means of their own comfort or fame, but to be a spiritual example who goes before the flock in the ways of righteousness.

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