Bad Shepherds!
“Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; as I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.”
~ Ezekiel 34:7-10
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
What’s it with these MICE and their finger-pointing? Let me count the ways…
Bad Shepherds? Of course, if they are in true Christian churches, which they aren’t, I believe. The word “wolves” sounds better to me (Matthew 7:15).
One day these deceivers are going to have some explaining to do, and no one is going to jump to their defenses. No, Jesus is not going to magically appear and bail them out, as Ratman Piper believes.
I’ve looked at the image again, and now I’m thinking drama queens. Someone buy me a villa.
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What is the reach of these men with books, internet, youtube videos, blogs, CDs and conferences? That is what is frightening. But the people who listen to them and buy their books are also to blame. We are living in such strange times. Every man is doing what he thinks is right in his own eyes. I vividly remember a Bible study where the discussion turned to the question of whether we (as in each of us, individually, could be deceived). The majority thought “no, that would never happen to them.” I was the lone hold out with the politically incorrect answer of, “yes, I could be deceived, and I pray that the Holy Spirit would lead me into all truth.”
I distinctly remember another Bible study where the topic was Jesus’ question as to whether He would find faith on earth when He returned. Again, I was the lone hold out. “Yes, of course, Jesus would find faith on earth, just look at all the good we are doing in our communities.” And here I am recalling Matthew 7 where the “depart from me, I never knew you folks” sounded like “model Christians.” I have friends who seem to think that the gospel revolves around them and Jesus just wants us all to be “happy”. And that thinking gives permission for transgender sex changes, gay marriages, abortion, euthanasia, swapping relationships like shoes and the like.
I would not call these men “shepherds” …. false teachers, hirelings and wolves would be better descriptors.
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While you and I know better that these guys are wolves, they fancy themselves as shepherds and don’t hesitate to let us know, especially when the preoccupation with “shepherd groups” is all the rage these days among protestant churches. With that in mind, the passage from Ezekiel seems decidedly relevant in the grand scheme of things.
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I am afraid to ask, Andy. What are shepherd groups? I’ve heard of life groups, connect groups, book clubs and good old fashioned Bible studies. But “shepherd” …..
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Right before we left the church in Columbus that had been taken over by new calvinists they were getting ready to implement “shepherd groups”. What they did was assigned you to an elder who was your “shepherd” and you were directly accountable to him. And what they would do is whenever there was a month that had 5 Sundays, on that 5th Sunday rather than have an evening service you would have a “shepherd group” meeting which was usually held at your “shepherd elder’s” house. It was sort of like a bible study (discuss the latest Piper book) with a pot luck meal and “fellowship” time. Really it was just another means of control because you were “encouraged” to share with the group and confess to the group the “sins” you were struggling with in your life. The inspiration for it is the book Why Small Groups written by none other than the “Ceeg”, C.J. Mahaney himself.
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Oh no, oh no, oh no. So I thought I would google the term. And along with all manner of dog breeders for German Shepherds (a puppy would be awesome, but I digress), I found https://www.shepherdsgroup.com/ “helping shepherds realize kingdom expansion dreams” It must be lucrative. Perhaps “shepherd groups” refers to something else as well? I can’t imagine the good Lord is happy. Whip braiding and table overturning time.
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