The Title “The Shepherd” Is a Title of God Himself
In this lecture it is presented that the title “the Shepherd” is originally a title belonging to God; God described Himself as the shepherd of His sheep, and Christ was known as the Good Shepherd. Yet the Church also names some of her servants “shepherds” when the Holy Spirit works in them. The main idea is that true shepherds are those in whom God works by the Spirit, not those who hold the title as a mere human office.
Spiritual Conditions for Pastoring
To be a true shepherd it is not enough to have the name or the office; one must be filled with the Holy Spirit. The filling with the Spirit enables the shepherd to forgive, loose and bind, and to exercise priestly authority as we saw with the disciples after the Spirit descended on Pentecost.
Calling and Divine Work
Pastoring begins with God’s calling and the Holy Spirit who prepares the person before ordination or service. Examples like Barnabas and Saul show that the Spirit separates and appoints those He calls to the mission; God is the one working in the shepherd, not the person himself.
Fruits of Filling: Successful Service and Absence of Human Glory
If God works in the shepherd then his ministry succeeds because “the Lord was with him” as in Joseph’s story. The ministry must be the fruit of God’s active grace and possess a spiritual reach that does not turn to personal glory or fame.
Example and Wisdom
A shepherd filled with the Spirit becomes a spiritual model: his life, speech, and methods all reflect the Spirit. Spiritual wisdom is also necessary for the management of the church and people; the wisdom meant is wisdom from above, not worldly craft or guile.
Leadership by the Spirit and New Birth
Submission to the Spirit begins at baptism and the birth from water and the Spirit; from here Christian freedom is a freedom guided by the Spirit, not living by the will of the self alone. The true shepherd walks by the Spirit and leads his children in sound spiritual guidance.
Educational Conclusion from the Coptic Orthodox Faith Perspective
Shepherds in the Church are servants called and filled by the Spirit; their work is God’s work not human work, and they are required to have humility, wisdom from above, and obedience to the call. The true Church is the Church of the Holy Spirit, and the true shepherd is the one who allows God to work in him so that the ministry succeeds and gives glory only to God.
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