“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” (Ephesians 4:11). The Greek word from which pastor is translated in the Bible can mean both shepherd when framed as a noun and to feed when used as a verb. So, in John 21, when Jesus tells Peter to feed His sheep, He is using the verb form of the Greek word shepherd. Apostles and prophets are essential for revealing unto us the mind and the will of the Lord, and evangelists are necessary to spread the good news of the hospital, but we need compassionate and righteous servants who are dedicated to staying right where we are and feeding and ministering and teaching and watching over us as shepherds watch over their flocks. A shepherd knows every sheep in their flock, what they want, what they struggle with, how best to lead and guide them to still waters and green pastures. God has placed pastors and teachers in our lives so that when we, like sheep, have gone astray, they can guide us back to the fold. And He has also given each of us opportunities to be pastors and teachers to others who have gone astray that we are uniquely able to reach and nourish and guide back to the light. I hope we will all be constantly on the lookout to seize every opportunity to minister and feed the Lord's sheep, and that we will not turn away those who have come to minister to us, but that we may all edify and build each other up as we minister to and teach each other.
