Other Sheep
"I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also." John 10:16

In his study at Good Shepherd Church, Pastor Richards was chatting with Pastor Maxwell, who served a neighboring parish.

After a sip of tea, Pastor Maxwell turned the conversation toward the matter that had brought him to visit this morning. "We both serve urban congregations, and the neighborhood is changing around us. That's why I've been encouraging all of us at Faith Church to open our eyes and see the mission field in our own back yard."

"And how much antagonism have you stirred up among your flock?" asked Richards.

"There are some naysayers, but others are starting to catch the vision."

"Is it a vision or a virus? Are you aware that five families from your church--wealthy families, mind you--phoned me last week to inquire about transferring from Faith to Good Shepherd?"

"If they want to leave, so be it." Pastor Maxwell ignored his colleague's expression of shock. "I came here today to discuss the possibility of our two congregations teaming up to reach out to the neighborhood."

"What do you need us for?"

"You are located on a street with a bus line. You have a gymnasium. Your kitchen is better than ours. You have three hundred members--three hundred potential missionaries."

"We're down to two-fifty," Pastor Richards muttered. "My friend, if you want to destroy your congregation--"

"I'm talking about building, not destroying. Why are you so negative about this?"

"I have shepherded Good Shepherd for sixteen years, and I take seriously the Lord's warning to unworthy shepherds in Jeremiah 23." He opened his Bible and read: "'Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you' (v. 2).

Pastor Richards set his bifocals on the Bible and said, "Twelve years ago, I tried to rally support for community outreach. But it was a disaster. The church split. Over twenty families left. I took lots of flak. So why should I risk it again? Why should you?"

"I'm aware of the dangers," Pastor Maxwell said. "But here's why I'm taking the risk. The Chief Shepherd said, 'I am the good shepherd....and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen' (John 10:14, 16)."

Pastor Maxwell stood up and gazed out the window. "The other sheep include the Asians shopping at the market across the street. The other sheep are the Mexicans in that store-front bank, sending money orders to Oaxaca. The other sheep are even the two guys making a drug deal on the corner. Jesus said, 'I must bring them also' (John 10:16)."

"But will they ever listen to you?"

"Some of them will, because Jesus promised, 'They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd' (John 10:16). Since Jesus lay down His life for His other sheep, I'll gladly takes risks to reach them."

1. When have you caught flak for trying to inspire mission vision in others?
2. Imagine what happened next in the conversation between Pastor Richards and Pastor Maxwell.
3. Compare Jer. 23:1-8 and Matt. 9:35-38 with John 10:11-21.