A LOOK INTO THE PASTORS’ HEART 

by Greg Lundstedt

           I would like to give you a peek into my heart.  I am hoping and praying that in sharing a portion of my life vision, you will be able to have a peek at the inside of Greg Lundstedt. 

           I find my personal life vision summed up in the passage in Acts 20 where Paul is saying his last farewell to the Ephesian elders.  During this farewell, Paul shares his final command for these elders. He states: 

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.   Acts 20:28-31

A VISION TO OVERSEE HIS FLOCK

            I have a great desire to oversee His flock and I feel this desire is biblical and that God has planted it in me (cf. 1 Tim. 3:1).   Note in the Acts passage that it is He who appoints overseers (cf. Acts 20:28). 

A VISION OF PERSONAL GROWTH IN HIM

            The Apostle Paul commands the Ephesian elders to “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock…to shepherd the church of God” (Acts 20:28).  Careful exegesis of this passage shows that the verb translated “Be on guard” means to turn ones attention to or as the ASV and RSV translates it, “Take heed.”   Also, a careful word study of all OT LXX and NT usages of poimai,nein (“to shepherd”), especially John 21:15-17, reveal that in this context, all of the elders shepherding activity(i.e. leading, protecting…) is centered around the feeding the flock the Word of God.  Remember Jesus’ commands to Peter, “Feed (Bo,ske)…Shepherd (Poi,maine)…Feed (Bo,ske) my sheep” (John 21:15-17).   Therefore, I like to paraphrase the command in Acts 20:28 as “Take Heed…to Feed.”  

            With this in mind, I have a vision for personal growth in Him through the study and living out God’s Word.   I deeply desire to know Him better and better.   I do take Paul’s command to “Take heed for yourselves…to feed” very seriously (italics mine). I am to first and foremost nurture and grow in my relationship with the Lord through consistent feeding in His Word.  My vision is to be a man of God and His Word.

A VISION FOR MINISTRY OF THE WORD

            After exhorting the elders to feed themselves, Paul commands them to “Take heed for yourselves and all the flock…to feed” (italics mine).  One of my deepest desires and largest vision is for the feeding of God’s flock.  I so desire for them to grow in their relationship and knowledge of Him and to be “adequate, equipped for every good work” (2Tim. 3:17), through the teaching, preaching and proclamation of His Word.

            My personal vision is for me to be in position to faithfully minister His Words of life.  As Jesus said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD’” (Matthew 4:4).  God has given us the words of life.  I deeply desire to communicate those words.  Within this ministry of the Word, I have a vision to make disciples of Jesus. 

A VISION TO GUARD THE FLOCK

            I have a specific vision for the protection of the flock from false teachers and worldly philosophies.   God has given me a passion to watch out and guard the flock.   I feel that God has wired me in such a manner that He will use me in the future to call out protective warnings and be a discerning shepherd for His flock. 

Paul’s shares with Ephesian elders stating,  “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears” (Acts 20:29-31; italics mine).    Paul was extremely concerned about threats to the flock from the inside and outside.   God has currently given me this watchfulness and I envision that God will use this in the future to protect His flock, under my care, if I am obedient to this call.

           Would you pray, just as Peter and John’s companions prayed in Acts 4:29, that the Lord would grant that I “may speak Thy word with all confidence.”