Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Seminary
    • Seminary Info
    • Fall 2023 Classes
    • GES Seminary Curriculum
    • GES Seminary Faculty
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Journal Articles
→
Book Reviews
→
Shepherd the Flock

Shepherd the Flock

Posted in Book Reviews

Shepherd the Flock. By Donald Norbie. Port Colborne, CO: Gospel Folio Press, 2010. 38 pp. Paper, $1.59.

This booklet summarizes the NT teaching about the roles of elders in the local church. Norbie has four chapters, “The Motivation,” “The Qualifications,” “The Work,” and “The Discipline of the Elders.” For the most part, Norbie’s observations are simple and solid. For example, in the first chapter, Norbie makes the point that elders should be motivated to please the Lord, not to make a salary. Occasionally, he subtly interjects his own opinion, such as his disapproval of salaries (pp. 9-10).

In the second chapter, Norbie makes some brief comments on the qualifications of an elder. I appreciated what he said about being “able to teach.” Norbie writes, “This means he will discipline himself to spend hours studying God’s word. He will build a helpful library with aids to help him in this life-long study of the Bible. A good exhaustive concordance, Bible dictionary and an [sic] one volume commentary will start him on the path of building a library…He must spend hours studying so he can feed God’s people” (pp. 22-23). Being a good student of the Word does, indeed, take hours and hours of study. The Grace New Testament Commentary would be a good start.

In the third chapter, Norbie emphasizes the elder’s work of evangelism, teaching, and visitation. Regarding evangelism he says, “If months go by and none are being saved it should be a matter of grave concern” (p. 28). Perhaps. It seems, though, that many smaller churches evangelize steadily and yet may not see people come to faith for long periods. Yes, we ought to evangelize, but “the wind blows where it wishes” (John 3:8). Our job is to sow, but is it not up to God to save?

Norbie advises that elders should show special care to new believers. “Young believers also require special attention. They must be encouraged to begin nursing on the Word of God (1 Pet 2:2-3). To read the Scriptures and to pray must become a daily habit” (p. 28). That is sound advice. It means teaching young believers to feed themselves on God’s Word and not be dependent on being spoon-fed by someone else.

Lastly, Norbie says elders should know that “a great day of reward is coming” where they will be held accountable for “care of the flock” (p. 37). Norbie does not explain what that day is, or what the rewards will be. It would have been helpful to say a few words about the Judgment Seat of Christ and the nature of eternal rewards.

This booklet can be helpful as an introduction for church members about the role of elders. It would not be sufficient to train elders themselves. I recommend it as a teaching tool, but not as essential reading.

Shawn Lazar
Associate Editor
Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Shawn_L

by Shawn Lazar

Shawn Lazar (BTh, McGill; MA, VU Amsterdam) was the Editor of Grace in Focus magazine and Director of Publications for Grace Evangelical Society from May 2012 through June 2022. He and his wife Abby have three children. He has written several books including: Beyond Doubt: How to Be Sure of Your Salvation and Chosen to Serve: Why Divine Election Is to Service, Not to Eternal Life.

Cart

Recently Added

October 4, 2023

Why Did Jesus Talk About Mustard?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin and Steve Elkins are continuing a short series about kingdom parables. What is the mustard seed...
October 4, 2023

How About Attending a Conference Near You? 

Over the next nine months, GES plans to conduct several regional conferences. If the Lord allows, these will provide an opportunity for many of you...
October 3, 2023

Are You Wheat or Tares?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin and Steve Elkins are continuing the current series about kingdom parables. What meaning was Jesus wanting...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen on Google Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • Elisabeth: Christ's Medal of Honor Recipient $11.95 $10.00
  • Six Secrets of the Christian Life (Second Edition, Includes Study Questions) $6.00 $4.00
  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Paperback) $6.95 $3.00
  • Tough Texts: Did Jesus Teach Salvation by Works? $15.00 $10.00
  • Faith Alone in One Hundred Verses $15.00 $10.00
Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube