Pastor Daren’s Quote: “We are under-shepherds. Jesus is your shepherd, but we all have an account to your soul… We are seeking the Lord in what His desire for you is and to teach you and to train you in all righteousness.”
Bible Verse: Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV) – “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
In the church, pastors and leaders have been given the responsibility to care for the souls of the congregation, but they are not the ultimate leaders—Jesus is. The role of pastors is to guide, nurture, and lead in a way that is faithful to Jesus, who is the Head of the Church. Pastor Daren reminds us that pastors will have to give an account before God for how they cared for His people. It is a sobering responsibility. Hebrews 13:17 teaches us to respect and listen to our leaders in the church because they are accountable to God. But, as Pastor Daren emphasized, leaders are under-shepherds—Jesus alone is the true Shepherd of our souls. In this, we see both the responsibility of the church to follow godly leadership and the leaders’ call to be humble servants, just as Christ modeled. Our obedience to church leaders is ultimately about obeying Christ, who uses them to care for us.
Reflection Question: How can I honor and pray for the leaders in my church as they seek to serve Christ faithfully?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the pastors and leaders You have placed in my life to watch over my soul. Holy Spirit, instruct me in how I can honor them in a way that pleases You and reflects my submission to Christ, the true Shepherd. Teach me to remember that they are accountable to You and help me to pray for them as they seek to guide the church in righteousness. May my heart be open to Your will, and may I grow in obedience to Your Word. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 23:1 (NKJV) – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Reflection Songs:
The Solid Rock (My Hope is Built) | Reawaken Hymns YouTube Link
Victory Chant | Bob Fitts | Integrity’s Hosanna! Music YouTube Link