Some wise guy once said, "the church is the only army on earth that shoots it's wounded." It is too bad that this is a "truism." It is not true, but it seems true more often than not. What do you do with your weak...?

The first tool in a Shepherd's tool box is "compassion." Without it you are just another cattle rancher looking out for the bottom line - numbers.

Their Names
The first thing to learn about compassion is that the Good Shepherd calls his sheep by name. Do you know your flock by name? I mean do you really know them at all? Do you know their children by name? Do you know them so well you know where they work, what their hobbies are, what foods they like, the problems they face, and even their pet's names?

Knowing someone is the first step in being a shepherd. You have got to care about them. Learn their names (and be sure it is the name they go by, not their formal name). Sheep love to be called by name.

Their Faces
In a larger church congregation it is easy to get lost in the crowd. As elders we periodically sit together and go over the church phone list and talk about each family. Often our elders don't know the people, so we describe them; where they sit and what they look like. When they don't know a family or individual we give them the task of sitting in that location and purposefully meeting them. If you have been given a flock it is a good idea to have a photo of the family or individual to remind you to pray for them. Put it on your refrigerator or in your prayer journal.

Their Problems, Cares, Weaknesses
The old negro spiritual woefully wails, "Nobody knows the trouble I see. Nobody knows my sorrow." Don't let that be the song of your flock. Get to know their ups and downs. Where are they struggling? Where are they weak? How are they doing spiritually? What is their heart-cry? A caring shepherd knows!

Are You Listening?