Growing up as a preacher's kid, I often remember hearing my father use the term "under-shepherd" to describe one of the aspects of being a pastor. As part of my thought process during Pastor Appreciation month, I asked my father about the basis for this term since it doesn’t seem to appear explicitly in Scripture, while the concept certainly exists.

The clearest reference appears in 1 Peter, at a point where Peter is speaking to elders, in general, about their service and about serving God willingly:

...shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:2-4

Based on the verb and noun forms of the word translated "shepherd", here we see that elders are to feed and pastor the "flock of God" under the guidance and authority of Jesus Christ as the "Chief Shepherd."

Clear and sobering guidance is given to us as the congregation concerning our relationship with our leadership in Hebrews 13:17 in the context of God-pleasing sacrifices:

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17

Furthermore, as a simple matter of Christian conduct, we as the body of Christ are told to

...appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

And finally, from the Gospel of John,

There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. John 1:6-8

In the context of this subject, there are 3 key aspects of these last verses. First of all, John the Baptist was a man; nothing more, nothing less. But he was a man "sent from God"...a clear reference to the Source of his calling, his work, and his ministry. And thirdly, he was a "witness, to testify about the Light" of Jesus Christ.

Every church should ask itself if their pastor and his ministry are consistent with the constraints, expectations, and requirements of these Scripture references as the under-shepherd of the local congregation under the authority of the Chief Shepherd. If so, then "pastor appreciation" should not be something we are reminded to do one month per year. That appreciation should be a natural ongoing expression flowing from the local body of Christ, not for the glory of the pastor or for the congregation, but rather to the glory of the Head of the body, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

One of the most important things Christians must do is to grow in their spiritual maturity by becoming more like Jesus Christ. This "Christlikeness" must reach all aspects of a Christian's life, including their character, beliefs, attitudes, ministry, priorities, commitment, and discipline. One key area for Christians to emulate Christ is in their prayerfulness.

In the account of some of Jesus' earliest ministry, in the midst of preaching, healing sickness and disease, and casting out demons, we find that He is already resolute in His prayer life.

Several years ago, a friend of mine was going through some counseling after going through a painful separation and divorce. As part of this therapy, the counselor used an exercise in which my friend was required to list aspects of his identity. The one catch in making this list was that he could not use any component of his identity which was related to or defined by his relationship with any other human. In other words, he couldn’t list his identity as father, son, or employee.

Discipline helps our children to learn hard lessons and develop into mature adults. Because discipline is such a critical component of raising children, a parent that doesn’t discipline their child does that child a terrible disservice and does not express true love for the child.

Thankfully, the Lord also disciplines His children...those He has adopted into His family through the forgiveness and justification we can receive through Jesus’ sacrificial payment for our sin debt. Unfortunately, God’s discipline is an indication that we have been disobedient in some way. But it is also an indication that we have a true relationship with Him. Because God’s discipline is an expression of His love with the goal of our spiritual growth, we should gladly receive His correction.

God has provided us with the means for us to know Him and communicate with Him – His Word in the Holy Bible, His answers to our honest and earnest prayers, and His guidance provided by the Holy Spirit. He is the Creator of the entire universe; He is all-knowing; He is ever-present; He is all-powerful. And He can communicate with us however He chooses.

Throughout Scripture, the Lord used various means to communicate His will and purpose to humanity. However, He always has and always will speak or communicate in a way that is consistent with His character and how He has revealed Himself in Scripture.

And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified; He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.'" Mark 16:6-7

If there were ever a time for Christians to celebrate, that time would be Easter. Here are just a few reasons why:

As followers of Christ, Christians are not merely humans who have “cleaned up their act” or who are following a set of religious rules. Christians are a radically new creation. As such, we are to reflect our Lord and show His love and restoration to a dying and hurting world around us. Therefore, we are called to follow a higher road in all aspects of life.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

“It’s just who I am.” We often hear a version of this statement in the context of someone trying to explain, rationalize, or justify choices they make or facets of their life. Unfortunately, it is often combined with other statements such as “God loves me and accepts me for who I am” or “God made me this way.”

To be blunt, this is a lie straight from the pit of Hell itself feeding humanity’s tendency for self-centeredness and self-righteousness. The truth is that God loves us too much to leave us as we are.

In many ways, serving God is simply the culmination of knowing, thanking, and loving God as discussed in previous meditations. If we strive to know God by “humbly and honestly approaching Him with the sole intent of knowing Him as He intends to be known and as He has revealed Himself”...if we are filled with thankfulness and gratitude to Him since “He alone is worthy because of His character, nature, and provision”, a thankfulness that “should spring forth from our entire being as we experience Him and come to understand the grace and mercy He showers upon His children”...and if we “love the Lord with every aspect...every single component...of our being” with our focus “first and foremost on Him”...then serving Him should perpetually flow from us as a natural outgrowth of our relationship with Him.

Jesus just couldn’t have made it much clearer:

And He said to him, " ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:37-40