Jeremiah 23:4 · Ezekiel 34:16 · John 10:14-15
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me." - John 10:14
The Research
What the Scriptures reveal
Inspection is the foundational knowledge that makes care possible. A shepherd cannot bandage the injured without first knowing they are injured. In Jeremiah 23:4, God promised that under good shepherding none would be missing - because the shepherd accounts for every sheep.
Jesus declared He knows His sheep. In Ezekiel 34:16, God as shepherd said He would bandage the injured - implying He first knew they were injured. Inspection enables every other theme of shepherding to function correctly.
For the pastor, inspection requires a reliable feedback system - not just attendance and giving metrics, but genuine knowledge of spiritual health and engagement. This happens through relationships, smaller group environments, and leaders who serve as the shepherd's eyes and ears in the flock.
Practical Application
What this looks like in practice
- Have a reliable way of knowing, at any given time, the spiritual health and engagement level of your congregation
- Measure health by obedience and involvement, not just attendance and giving
- Leverage small groups and ministry teams as a feedback system for the flock's real condition
- Identify patterns of disengagement early enough to respond before they become a crisis
How are you doing in Inspection?
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