Lessons on Shepherding

Since the second week of January I was not able to call the brothers I had been calling weekly for phone call prayer and shepehrding. In fact, I had been doing that for years altogether with the hope that they could be fully shepherded into the church life. But it did not turn out as I expected. On the one hand, a disappointment, yet on the other hand, a test of my faithful shepherding. 

In this situation, I did not force myself to somehow continue the shepherding when I practically cannot. I left them to the hands of God. If God wants to gain them for the church life, I felt, they should have been gained already. With so many calls over the years, I truly felt they should have been gained. If not, either my shepherding had flaws or the Lord wanted to train me further in shepherding or the Lord is preparing them for the right time. With this realization, I do not worry that much now. For I know, it is the Lord who can gain people for Himself, not out of my labor, but by His sovereign will.

Yesterday, we were supposed to have a regular group meeting but majority of the saints could not join due exams and health issues of the families. But two saints, one sister and one brother, who have been under our shepherding and yet not regular for the church life, turned up. So, I felt it best to change the meeting to a truth pursuing meeting that can meet their need in the best way.

Therefore, we pursued lessons 1 and 2 of the Shepherding Materials Vol. 6. The lessons were, A Great Mystery - Christ and the Church, and The Two Aspects of the Church. Then, we had a detailed fellowship on these two lessons. I was glad that the Lord led us and made things clear concerning Christ and the church. I believe, for this purpose of specific shepherding, the Lord arranged this special meeting with these two saints. 

Having done this, I still commit them to the Lord who can only bring them into the church life. I also have seen many others coming to the church life without much follow up as I did with these ones. Sometimes I wonder if I were trying in vain to bring people to the church life which the Lord might want to wait or has other plan. These are the areas where I need to learn to shepherd. 

May the Lord lead them in His way at His time. Let the will of the Lord be done.