The Shepherd of Men

The role of a minister has for centuries been characterized in metaphor as that of a Shepherd, in light of that analogy, the following might be the accepted practice of a shepherd of men;

• The Shepherd is always willing to leave the 99 and go in search of the one, lovingly guiding the lost sheep back to the flock.
  (Matthew 18:12)
• The shepherd always listens to God for the wisdom to guide the flock to ever greener pastures.
  (Psalm 23:2)
• The shepherd makes sure the flock partakes of good clear water.
  (Mark 9:41)
• The shepherd never makes the flock beasts of burden.
  (Matthew 23:4)
• The shepherd never lassoes the sheep; hog ties ‘em and fleeces ‘em.