Feed My Sheep

For the last few days I have been blessed to attend a workshop on biblical exposition held at Tenth Presbyterian. It has been a wonderful reminder of what is the central calling of the pastor. It is not to be a "social architect, change agent, or life coach." The ministry of the Word of God is the chief calling of the pastor.

What was Jesus' challenge to Peter when He restored the fallen apostle to service? "Do you love me? Feed my sheep."

I saw this posted at Restless and Reforming:

Picture the scene, you are in the coolest bookstore in town, and you've just purchased the latest Emergent Bible translation called "The NIV: Nebulous Indefinite Version". You pop into the cafe area and start quaffing a skinny latte and tucking into some chocolate (oh, it's fair trade I should add). The candles are burning around you. Sigar Ros is playing over the sound system. As you relax, you turn to your new purchase and open it to John 21:15-19:

Jesus: Simon, do you love me?

Peter: Yes Lord, you know that I love you.

Jesus: Fight injustice, homophobia, racism, you name it. Simon Peter, do you love me?

Peter: You know all things Lord, you know that I love you.

Jesus: Fight poverty. Don't let anyone fool you when they say you'll always have the poor with you. You can make a difference Pete. Do you love me?

Peter: You know that I love you.

Jesus: Burn out my sheep for the glory of God. I'm telling you Peter, one day the world will love you for these things...