What does a Shepherd Do when He Can’t be with His Sheep?

Life on the Pasture

We had our first online chapel in school history this morning. There were a few glitches, but all in all, a blessing to be able to come together for prayer, hearing the Word, and celebrating the love of Jesus. I recorded something for our Wednesday evening Lenten worship which will be posted online. I recorded it in an empty church… a very strange feeling.

I’ve titled this blog “Life on the Pasture” because “Pastor” means “Shepherd.” Years ago, I heard a conference speaker say, “A good shepherd smells like his sheep.” One of the challenges of this current situation is the inability to socialize as much as we would like. For me, I’m unable to make visits at various places, let alone lead worship services where there are people in the same room as I am. I’m not able to smell like my sheep.

But then again, I guess I am since we’re all in the same situation with similar concerns and worries.

So what does a shepherd do when he can’t be with his sheep as he would like? He writes blog posts, records worship opportunities to be posted on the web, texts, calls, emails, and prays, all with the goal of keeping the sheep together, hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus, who says, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28)

– Pastor Schmidt