Imagine a flock of sheep grazing in a wide, open field. The shepherd has stepped away for a time, but the sheep do not scatter. Instead, they draw closer together, keeping watch for one another, moving as one, and staying near the sound of the familiar bell that reminds them of home.
Green Tree Church may be in a season without a pastor, but we are not without a Shepherd. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
A pastor is a precious gift to the church, and we at GTC have been fortunate over the years to be shepherded by the very best. However, let’s keep in mind that our ultimate leader is Jesus.
Even in this period of search and transition, His voice still guides us through His Word, His Spirit,
and the fellowship of believers. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul reminds us that the church is one body with many parts. When one of those parts is temporarily out of commission, the rest of the body steps up to take up the slack. This is a time for each of us to discover and use our spiritual gifts to serve one another.
While the search process goes on, it may seem as if we are just waiting, just wasting time. Waiting,
however, is not wasted time. God often uses this period to deepen our prayer life, strengthen our
unity, and prepare us for the next chapter. This is a time to ask God to prepare the right shepherd for
this flock and prepare us to receive them. This is a time to keep gathering, worshipping, and
encouraging one another. This is a time to step into roles that need filling, even if it’s outside our
comfort zone.
Let us remember: We are not a church without a Shepherd. We are a church in the care of the Good Shepherd, awaiting the next under-shepherd He will send.

Submitted by Linda Daywalt