Reading: Knowing the Sheep: A Handbook for Elders

Knowing the Sheep: A Handbook for Elders

Chapter 1. The Biblical Model of Knowing

God as the Shepherd Who Knows His People

The foundation for knowing the sheep lies in the character of God Himself. Scripture repeatedly portrays the Lord as a shepherd who intimately knows His people. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1, WEB) is not merely poetic sentiment — it is a declaration of God’s intimate awareness of His flock. The psalm continues: He leads, restores, protects, and comforts. All these shepherding acts presuppose knowledge of the sheep’s needs, fears, and paths.

The prophet Ezekiel contrasts God’s shepherding with Israel’s failed leaders:

“The diseased you haven’t strengthened, neither have you healed that which was sick, neither have you bound up that which was broken, neither have you brought back that which was driven away, neither have you sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor you have ruled over them.” (Ezekiel 34:4, WEB)

Here the indictment is clear: false shepherds failed precisely because they did not know their sheep well enough to heal, bind, or restore them. God promises to shepherd His people Himself, a promise fulfilled ultimately in Jesus Christ.

Jesus the Good Shepherd

In the New Testament, Jesus takes up the mantle of the true shepherd. He distinguishes Himself from hired hands who abandon the flock under threat:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14–15, WEB)

This text is crucial. Jesus equates His knowledge of His disciples with the mutual knowledge between Himself and the Father — a relationship marked by intimacy, trust, and love. To shepherd well is to know deeply. His leadership is not distant or generic; it is personal, sacrificial, and relational.

Knowing the sheep for Jesus meant calling them individually (John 10:3), eating with them, hearing their concerns, correcting their errors, and ultimately giving His life for their salvation. Elders, as under-shepherds, are called to reflect this same relational model.

Apostolic Example

The apostle Paul demonstrates pastoral knowledge in his ministry. His letters contain not only doctrinal instruction but also personal greetings and memories. Romans 16, often overlooked, provides a window into Paul’s relational leadership. He names over 25 individuals, recalling their labor, sacrifices, and households. For example:

• “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life laid down their own necks.” (Rom. 16:3–4, WEB)
• “Greet Mary, who labored much for us.” (Rom. 16:6, WEB)

These are not anonymous congregants but people Paul knew, remembered, and loved. His shepherding was rooted in relational awareness.

Similarly, in 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Paul reflects: “Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.” His pastoral care was not transactional but deeply personal.

Summary of the Biblical Model

From God’s shepherding in the Old Testament, to Jesus’ model in John 10, to Paul’s apostolic example, the biblical witness is consistent: true shepherds know their sheep. Knowledge here is not superficial awareness but relational intimacy — calling by name, caring in weakness, praying in detail, and guiding with discernment.

Shepherds who fail to know their sheep inevitably fail to protect them. Shepherds who embrace this biblical model reflect the Good Shepherd, embody covenantal love, and cultivate resilience in the flock.

Reflection Questions for Elders

1. How well do you personally know the names, stories, and struggles of the people entrusted to you?
2. Do you view knowing the sheep as a biblical command, or as an optional add-on to administrative leadership?
3. What would it take for your eldership team to mirror Paul’s example in Romans 16 — a community of remembered names, recognized service, and personal love?

Chapter 2. Theological Foundations of Knowing

If Chapter 1 explored the biblical model of knowing the sheep, this chapter explains why such knowing is theologically necessary. Elders are not simply encouraged to know their sheep; they are compelled by the very doctrines of the Christian faith. Three theological foundations — incarnation, covenant, and community — shape and require relational shepherding.

2.1 Incarnational Ministry

The doctrine of the incarnation teaches that God did not remain distant from humanity but entered into it. “The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, WEB).

Jesus did not shepherd at arm’s length. He ate meals with sinners, touched lepers, wept at funerals, and walked dusty roads with His disciples. His ministry was marked by nearness, empathy, and embodied presence. Elders, as under-shepherds of Christ, are called to reflect this incarnational pattern. Knowing the sheep requires being among them, not above them. Leadership detached from presence violates the very logic of the incarnation.

2.2 Covenantal Responsibility

Eldership is not a contract but a covenant. Hebrews exhorts the church:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning; for that would be unprofitable for you.”(Hebrews 13:17, WEB)

Elders are accountable not only to their congregations but to God Himself. They will one day answer for the souls entrusted to their care. Such accountability demands more than policy or programs; it requires relational knowledge. An elder cannot watch over the souls of people he does not know. Covenant implies personal responsibility, attentiveness, and enduring faithfulness.

2.3 Communal Identity

The church is not an audience but a body. Paul insists:

“For the body is not one member, but many… Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (1 Corinthians 12:14, 27, WEB)

Knowing the sheep affirms the truth that every member is indispensable. In a consumer culture, individuals often feel anonymous and disposable. Elders counter this by affirming each member’s value, gifts, and role within the body. To know the sheep is to strengthen the unity of the body and to safeguard against divisions that arise when people feel neglected or unseen.

2.4 Implications for Eldership

• Presence is theological, not optional. Elders embody the incarnation by being among their people.
• Accountability requires knowledge. Elders will give account for souls, and this accountability presupposes knowing them personally.
• Unity flows from being known. Elders cultivate the body’s cohesion when they recognize and affirm every member.

Relational shepherding is therefore not a pragmatic choice but a theological necessity. Elders who fail to know their sheep distort the incarnation, ignore their covenantal responsibility, and weaken the body’s unity.

Reflection Questions for Elders

1. How does the incarnation challenge you to think differently about your presence among the congregation?
2. In light of Hebrews 13:17, how might your sense of accountability to God increase your attentiveness to individual members?
3. What practical steps could your elder team take to strengthen the body’s unity by personally knowing and affirming each member?

Chapter 3. Practical Ways of Knowing the Sheep

The biblical model and theological foundations show that elders must know their sheep. But how do they do this in practice? In busy congregations with varied needs, intentional habits are required. Four practices — presence, listening, prayer, and systems — provide a framework for knowing the flock faithfully.

3.1 Presence

Shepherds cannot know sheep from a distance. Presence is the first and most basic way of knowing. Jesus’ ministry demonstrates this truth: He lived among His disciples, shared meals with outcasts, and walked the roads of Galilee with those He led.

Paul reflects the same approach: “We were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8, WEB). Elders, too, must “impart their souls” — their time, their presence, their attention.

Practical applications of presence:

• Home visits that allow elders to see family life.
• Hospital prayers that bring comfort in crisis.
• Attending milestones like graduations or funerals.
• Simply sharing meals and casual fellowship.

Presence communicates love in ways sermons cannot.

3.2 Listening

Knowing the sheep requires more listening than speaking. James exhorts: “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” (James 1:19, WEB).

Listening does not merely gather facts; it communicates dignity. To be listened to is to be valued. Elders who listen well uncover hidden burdens and gain trust.

Practical applications of listening:

• Ask open-ended questions: “How are you experiencing God right now?”
• Resist the urge to fix immediately; sometimes people need presence more than solutions.
• Take notes (mentally or discreetly) to remember names, stories, and prayer requests.

3.3 Prayerful Awareness

Paul’s letters reveal constant prayer for specific people: “We haven’t ceased to pray and make requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will.” (Colossians 1:9, WEB).

Prayer is both spiritual care and a way of knowing. Elders who pray systematically through the membership list deepen awareness of their flock’s needs. Over time, prayer reveals patterns, burdens, and joys.

Practical applications of prayerful awareness:

• Divide the congregation into segments so every elder prays through a list regularly.
• Keep a simple log of prayer requests and answers.
• Pray not only for crises but also for spiritual growth and resilience.

3.4 Systems for Shepherding

In small congregations, presence, listening, and prayer may suffice. In larger congregations, systems ensure that no one is overlooked.

Examples of systems:

• Elder districts: Each elder is assigned 10–20 families to know, visit, and pray for.
• Small groups: Members connected in smaller fellowships where they are known and cared for.
• Regular check-ins: Annual or semiannual pastoral visits to every household.

Systems should not replace personal care but enable it. Organization supports relationship.

Case Study

A large church of 300 members realized some sheep were quietly falling away. By dividing the church into elder districts, each elder became personally responsible for a group of families. One woman struggling with depression was noticed early when her elder district leader reached out after missed gatherings. Her need was met with support, prayer, and encouragement. Without the system, she may have slipped into isolation.

Summary

Practical shepherding requires intentionality. Presence communicates love, listening builds trust, prayer reveals needs, and systems ensure comprehensiveness. Together, these practices enable elders to embody the Good Shepherd’s model in their own contexts.

Reflection Questions for Elders

1. How much time do you currently spend being present with members beyond Sunday services?
2. When you last spoke with a member in distress, did you listen more than you spoke?
3. What prayer practices could help you stay aware of your flock’s needs?
4. Does your church have systems to ensure that every sheep is personally known? If not, what could you put in place?

Chapter 4. Obstacles to Knowing the Sheep

Knowing the sheep is biblically commanded and theologically necessary, yet in practice, it is often neglected. Many elders feel pulled in multiple directions and struggle to prioritize relational shepherding. This chapter explores three common obstacles — busyness, congregational size, and cultural distance — and suggests ways to overcome them.

4.1 The Obstacle of Busyness

Elders often find themselves buried in administrative tasks: meetings, budgets, property issues, and policy decisions. These matters are not unimportant, but they can easily overshadow the relational heart of shepherding.

The danger of busyness is illustrated in Ezekiel 34, where leaders ruled with force but failed to heal the sick or seek the lost. Their neglect stemmed not only from cruelty but also from misplaced priorities. Elders today may fall into a similar trap: being so busy with “running the church” that they fail to shepherd the flock.

Strategies to overcome busyness:

• Reorder priorities: relational shepherding must come before managerial efficiency.
• Delegate administrative tasks when possible to deacons or committees (Acts 6:1–4).
• Guard time each week for direct pastoral contact.

4.2 The Obstacle of Congregational Size

As congregations grow, relational knowledge becomes more difficult. A single elder team cannot personally know hundreds of members in detail without intentional structures. Without these, some sheep inevitably become invisible.

Jesus modeled ministry to both crowds and individuals. He taught thousands but also knew Zacchaeus in the tree (Luke 19:5) and called Mary by name at the tomb (John 20:16). Elders must embrace both dimensions: serving the gathered body while still knowing individuals.

Strategies to overcome size challenges:

• Implement elder districts, assigning each elder a manageable group of families.
• Develop small group ministries where members can be deeply known, with elders overseeing leaders.
• Use membership logs, prayer lists, and regular check-ins to track pastoral care.

4.3 The Obstacle of Cultural Distance

Modern congregations are often diverse — spanning generations, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ethnic identities. While this diversity is a gift, it can also create distance. Elders may feel less equipped to connect with people from different life experiences.

Yet the gospel unites people across every barrier: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, WEB). Elders who lean into relational shepherding embody this truth, showing that no cultural difference is too great for Christ’s love.

Strategies to overcome cultural distance:

• Cultivate humility and curiosity: ask questions and learn from members’ perspectives.
• Encourage intergenerational and intercultural friendships within the congregation.
• Reflect the diversity of the flock in the composition of the elder team whenever possible.

Case Study

In a mid-sized suburban church, many immigrants felt overlooked. Elders realized language and cultural gaps left these members feeling unknown. By recruiting bilingual elders and intentionally visiting immigrant households, trust was restored, and the whole body was strengthened.

Summary

Obstacles to knowing the sheep are real, but none are insurmountable. Busyness can be reordered, size can be structured, and cultural distance can be bridged by humility and intentionality. Elders must remember: knowing the flock is not optional work squeezed into spare time — it is the essence of their calling.

Reflection Questions for Elders

1. In what areas has busyness distracted you from relational shepherding?
2. How well does your church handle the challenge of knowing people in a growing congregation?
3. What cultural, generational, or social groups in your church may feel overlooked?
4. What practical steps could your elder team take this month to overcome one of these obstacles?

Chapter 5. Fruits of Knowing the Sheep

When elders take seriously the call to know their sheep, the benefits ripple through the entire congregation. This chapter explores four key fruits of relational shepherding: protection, discipleship, trust, and joy. These outcomes are not incidental; they are the Spirit-given results of faithful eldership.

5.1 Protection

Sheep that are known are harder for wolves to isolate. Paul warned the Ephesian elders:

“For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:29–30, WEB)

When elders know their people by name, story, and spiritual condition, they can recognize early warning signs of drifting, false teaching, or spiritual danger. Personal knowledge provides a protective fence around the flock.

5.2 Discipleship

Discipleship flourishes when elders know their sheep. Paul modeled this in Colossians 1:28 (WEB):

“We proclaim him, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

Teaching “every man” requires knowing individuals. Elders who know their sheep can tailor exhortation, encouragement, and correction to real needs rather than offering abstract generalities. Personalized discipleship produces maturity in Christ.

5.3 Trust

Trust grows where people are known. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians:

“But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, WEB)

Members are far more likely to respect and follow leaders who genuinely know and care for them. Anonymity breeds suspicion; relational knowledge fosters confidence. Elders who invest in knowing their sheep build credibility for their leadership.

5.4 Joy

Finally, knowing the sheep brings joy to both shepherds and flock. Paul writes to the Philippians:

“Therefore, my beloved and longed for brothers, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.”(Philippians 4:1, WEB)

The relational bond between Paul and his churches produced joy. Elders who know their sheep experience the same: deep affection, shared delight, and encouragement in seeing God at work in His people.

Case Study

A rural church experienced conflict after a divisive teacher arose. Because elders already knew the members personally, they were able to quickly correct error, reassure the flock, and restore unity. Rather than fracturing, the church grew stronger in trust and discipleship. The fruit of prior relational investment was protection, maturity, trust, and joy.

Summary

When elders know their sheep:

• The church is protected from error and deception.
• Discipleship becomes personalized and fruitful.
• Trust between leaders and members deepens.
• Mutual joy is shared in Christ’s work.

These fruits demonstrate why knowing the sheep is not peripheral but central to healthy, biblical eldership.

Reflection Questions for Elders

1. Can you recall a time when relational knowledge of a member enabled you to protect them from harm?
2. How does personal knowledge change the way you disciple individuals?
3. Do you believe your congregation trusts its elders? Why or why not?
4. Where have you personally experienced joy through knowing your sheep?

Conclusion: Following the Good Shepherd

The calling of elders is not simply to oversee, manage, or administer. It is to shepherd. And shepherding means knowing. From the Old Testament’s image of God as the Shepherd of Israel, to Jesus’ self-description as the Good Shepherd, to the apostles’ example of relational care, Scripture is unambiguous: faithful leadership is relational, personal, and attentive.

Jesus declared:

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14–15, WEB)

Here we see the ultimate model of shepherding. Jesus knows His sheep intimately, sacrificially, and covenantally. He calls them by name, intercedes for them, and laid down His life to secure their salvation. Every elder serves under this Chief Shepherd and reflects His ministry.

To know the sheep means:

• To be present in their lives with incarnational nearness.
• To listen attentively with patience and humility.
• To pray faithfully, carrying their names and burdens before God.
• To organize shepherding wisely, ensuring no one is neglected.
• To overcome obstacles of busyness, size, and cultural distance.
• To rejoice in the fruits of protection, discipleship, trust, and joy.

The elder who knows the sheep reflects the heart of Christ and fulfills the covenantal responsibility of oversight. Proverbs’ wisdom remains timeless:

“Know the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds.” (Proverbs 27:23, WEB)

This ancient counsel is the essence of biblical eldership. To neglect it is to risk scattering the flock; to embrace it is to participate in Christ’s ongoing shepherding of His church.

A Final Word of Encouragement

Elders, your task is weighty, but you do not bear it alone. The Spirit equips you, Christ intercedes for you, and the Father promises fruit from your faithful labor. Knowing your sheep may require sacrifice of time, energy, and comfort — but it yields eternal joy. As Paul told the Thessalonians:

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn’t it even you, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?”(1 Thessalonians 2:19, WEB)

Your flock — known, loved, and guarded — will be your joy and crown before Christ. Shepherd them well. Know them deeply. And trust that the Good Shepherd Himself will one day say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”