Leaders Ruling or Feeding the Flock?

2012-03-26

I received the following question on email for discussion. I post my answer below the question.

Question

Just a simple request you think on this without self reflection, only from the Biblical meaning of this verse within content.

ACTS 20:28, 29
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Does this mean, leaders are to actual feed the flock or rule or govern the flock?

If Govern, how, with what and how do they govern? By rule? By Example? By threats?

Should leadership cause the flock to divide?

Not attempting to seperate, just wishing a valid answer within scripture.

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Answer

I would take the word at face value: feed. I believe the evidence is twofold in favor of feed over rule.

First, the immediate context requires it. Feeding the flock is directly in opposition to the grievous wolves, who desire to have followers after themselves. To see this, include the following verse, Acts 20:30: “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” These wolves want to “rule,” not “feed.”

Second, we know elsewhere that “Christ is the head of the church” (Ephesians 5:23). He is the one who ought to “rule.” Therefore, if Christ rules, then the elders do not rule. Therefore, the alternative “feed” must be how we interpret this. With what do they feed the people in their care? “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). The elder is to feed the church with the word of God, by teaching, admonishing, correcting, and so forth.

I have to concede that the one doing the feeding does have authority over the one he feeds. We as fathers have a responsibility of feeding our small children; this is a part of our authority. However, this authority is only secondary, because the real ruler of a church must be Jesus Christ.

To answer your second question, I do believe that the elder, especially when preaching the truth, will cause division. Remember when Jesus Christ himself was preaching the truth, it is written, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:66). Truth often divides people, so division likely happens because of the elders as well (John 7:43).