Where Have All the Shepherds Gone?: God Is Restoring His Church to Its Former Power and Glory!

By Jay Leach

Paul calls the Galatian Christians foolish! Having begun in the Spirit, are now being perfected by the flesh (see Galatians 3:1-3). Legalism and religion do not trust in the finished work of Christ and the efficacy of His blood to produce His intended results. Therefore, they always appeal to the flesh, teaching to control people through behavior modification, which make those pastors who yield to this model, not shepherds per se, but mere sin managers. The only force capable of restoring America’s local Churches in whatever areas need restoring is the Spirit of God animating the Word of God rightly divided, preached, and taught defining and biblically shaping and motivating the spiritual life of the body of Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Feb 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781698710952

Jay Leach

JAY LEACH is the President and Founder of the Bread of Life Ministries International, which he and his wife Magdalene planted in 1998. He is senior pastor of the Bread of Life Church and Christian Center and President of the Bread of Life Bible Institute located in Whiteville, North Carolina. The Leaches reside in Fayetteville, North Carolina and are the parents of five adult children.

Book preview

WHERE

HAVE ALL THE

SHEPHERDS

GONE ?

GOD IS RESTORING HIS CHURCH TO

ITS FORMER POWER AND GLORY!

A study guide is located at the end of each chapter.

Jay Leach

©

Copyright 2022 Jay Leach.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

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ISBN: 978-1-6987-1096-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6987-1095-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022902252

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ESV

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible,

English Standard Version® (ESV®). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a

division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

NKJV

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version.

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ESV

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible,

English Standard Version® (ESV®). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

RESTORING THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

Chapter 1     In Pursuit of True Restoration

Chapter 2     Life In The Spirit

Chapter 3     Understanding The New Covenant

Chapter 4     The Seed Principle

Chapter 5     Learning and Doing God’s Will

Chapter 6     Holistic Ministry (A Strategy)

Chapter 7     The Minister as Shepherd

FAITH THROUGH TRANSFORMATION

Chapter 8     Mixture of Law and Grace

Chapter 9     Discipleship: In An Enviornment Of Faith

Chapter 10   The Lord’s Multiplication (Strategy)

Chapter 11   The New Realities Facing The Local Church

Chapter 12   One Vine (Jesus)

Chapter 13   Who Are We Becoming?

THE GLORY OF THE SHEPHERD

Chapter 14   Where Have All The Shepherds Gone?

Chapter 15   The Good Shepherd

Chapter 16   The Opportunity to Shine

Chapter 17   The Gospel Flow

Chapter 18   The People of God

Chapter 19   Pastoral Vigilance

Chapter 20   The Glorious Church

A Final Emphasis

DEDICATION

"S hepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples for the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away" (I Peter 5:2-4).

In every generation God by His sovereign purpose and his powerful plans, raises up some Issachar(s). An Issachar is someone who has tapped into the heart and mind of God and understands the times and knows what to do (see 1 Chron. 12:32).

INTRODUCTION

"T here is a CRISIS in the American Church!" Books like this always begin by sounding the alarm. Well! Here, it’s a shepherding crisis or to be more precise, the failure to shepherd crisis. Long before COVID-19, many of the local Churches in this country were on life support. Christians were leaving churches with hurt and bitter hearts, and some left in order to maintain their spirituality (a major threat today). At the same time, for various reasons many of our local churches did not have a viable prayer ministry or discipleship ministry because at some point to them, these ministries were considered antiquated, inconvenient, not needed and eliminated.

Therefore, many young Christians are being discipled by television, zoom, face book, U-tube and other media, fleshy events, and false theology; because churches have neglected their primary responsibility to make disciples, and teach, practice, and promote the New Covenant formulated by God, a divine agreement and plan between God the Father, and Jesus, the Son to recover a lost humanity from the devil’s power. The heavenly Father was not willing to lose His beloved creation to the powers of hell! So He formed a plan of redemption, and reconciliation, one that came completely from His heart of love – before the world was created! Hopefully, this book will be a shepherd’s call and revelation to all the Church in Christ.

Please, be reminded that discipleship is the primary platform instituted by God in His mission to reconcile and grow people (through transformation) into the image of His Son. However, I am sure you will agree – the Church is losing ground in major areas especially the work of God’s eternal purposes beginning with His New Covenant¹ (see Psalm 89:34; Ezekiel 18:30-32; Hebrews 8:8-13; 10:16-17) without which, the Great Commandment and the Great Commission has been declared optional by the carnal hearts and hands of humanity:

And He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind² (Matthew 22:37 ESV).

And Jesus came and said unto them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age³ (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV).

Jesus agreed with God’s plan of redemption in the Covenant which required Him to receive a body from the Father in which He would come to earth and shed His life’s blood to redeem and reconcile sinful humanity back to the Father. Throughout history, man has attempted to hide, modify, or deny the New Covenant and our Divine substitute, Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross to rescue us! And the Father who kept His Covenant promises to His Son has promised an eternal oath to do the same for us. Jesus affirmed this part of the Covenant (see John 17:20-26).

Research shows that approximately one quarter of the world professes Christianity, while another quarter Muslim, a quarter Hindu and the final quarter Buddhism, and innumerable beliefs, cults, and minor religions. Additionally, it shows that Muslims and Hindus are doubling in size each year. However, in many areas Christianity has slowed to zero growth during the entire year (2020). Today, we stand on the brink of a new year of opportunities to get it right (2022), if the Lord tarries.

We know that some churches are meeting goals and making progress, but there seems to be something terribly wrong with our methods or strategies for reaching the world. It is apparent from the results shown above, after 2000 years with the commands from Christ, the Head, concerning the New Covenant, Great Commandment, and the Great Commission, only ¼ of the world has been Christianized – this cannot be what God intended for His Church! In His prayer, Jesus prays that they might be sanctified, that is, set apart for the ministry of truth (see John 17:17-19). Emphasis is mine throughout.

Another very common crisis is people make a confession of faith and actively participate in the life of the church for a season, before dropping out and returning to their rebellious and loose lifestyle. Often after abandoning the Church and no one knows where the person has gone, and in a number of cases, don’t care, however, their name remains on the church roll.

Many times, just before death God places them back on the doorstep of the Church. Frequently, their condition through sickness or some other malady is too brief for pastoral intervention with the dying person to find out how he or she stood before God. The person is funeralized. Afterward, that individual must stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give account for his or her life – but before that same throne the shepherd pastors of the flock at the deceased brother or sister’s home church will have to give account for this one lost sheep.

More of the churches are accepting the world’s view that Christianity and the church are components of religion (earthly) and therefore, subject to their inadequate leadership, philosophies, psychology, lusts, and the speculation of legalism; rather than being (spiritual) and (supernatural) as clearly recorded in the Bible. Slowly and subtly, many churches have let Christianity devolve into just another set of special days, rules, regulations, practices, and scientific theories to observe. Once again, the church has disregarded what God requires and have simply given Him what they feel is fair to give Him [a mixture of law and grace] rather than: The just shall live by faith (Gal. 3:11 NKJV).

Christ came down and established the Church through His blood and His life, then gave His New Covenant people (both Jew and Gentile together) of faith, the privilege of participating in His divine plan (see Hebrews 8:6; 9:14-15). Jesus declared His intention to build His Church (see Matthew 16:18) and the New Testament describes its formation as God’s Covenant people, Spiritual Israel (seed), who are spiritually united to meet together, as is the habit of some, and encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:25 ESV). Research shows some an abundance of religions, and different variations in the U.S. are of the devil as they attempt to reach up supposedly to God – but He has already reached down to humanity in the New Covenant. Christianity is radically different from every religion in the world. Christianity is Christ and the ending [ian] means [I am nothing]!

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There are two ways we can handle sin: 1) In religion (humanity) buries sin, but it can be dug up, and 2) In the New Covenant (God) forgives and washes away sin with the blood of Jesus. Praise God! Humanity can’t find it! Jay Leach

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Paul further clarified the identity of the New Covenant and the Church, "to you who have been made holy in Christ Jesus. You were called to be God’s holy people with all people everywhere who pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours" (1 Corinthians 1:2 NCV). Emphasis added. This defines the Church as God’s New Covenant people who are distinguished by their common faith in Jesus Christ and their submission to Him as Lord.

The church is also identified in the passage as a local gathering of believers in relation to all disciples globally everywhere. God’s Covenant community of those who are locally assembled and globally united by a common faith in Jesus Christ (the body of Christ). This is who we are, the Church – the Body of Jesus Christ!

In obedience to His command the Church, the instrument He commissioned to reconcile a lost world to Himself – is committed to faithfully execute His Great Commission to make disciples. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.⁴ Additionally, the Scripture explains explicitly that our existence as the Church: First and foremost, exists for the glory of God and Christ, who is the Head of the Church (His Body). Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is summarized in this verse of praise: ‘’To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever Amen" (Ephesians 3:21 ESV).

Through the COVID-19 epidemic, along with its variants, I pray that we all have seen [biblically] the need for [ingathering the church] (see Hebrews 10:25). We need someone! Therefore, we seldom go it alone in isolation! In fact, just today, there were several medical professionals in the news speaking against isolation. Many who use to assemble each Sunday by tradition in services have chosen to leave the church and go virtual, which really amplifies the isolation problem. In the world, daily we see gyms, other workout clubs, workplaces, places of leisure, and packs of men and women running together. Not only are we social beings, but we also need encouragement when discipline is involved. The apostle Peter, admonishes us that our corporate ministries should be fashioned and our individual spiritual gifts, should function!

If you ask individual Christians today what it means practically, to make disciples, sadly, you will likely get mixed and shallow answers or in some cases just blank stares. Where did we get the authority to have exempted one another from any personal responsibility to "fish for men?" I believe most Christians would not say their purpose in life is to make disciples of all nations.

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Biblically speaking, isn’t every single disciple of Jesus Christ intended to make disciples to Him?"

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From the very moment the command came out of Jesus’ mouth hasn’t following Christ involved fishing for men, women, girls, and boys?" Early disciples of Jesus made other disciples not because they had to, but because they desired to! So, what is stopping us from obeying the command today? We need less leaders and more Spirit-filled shepherd pastors, as instructed in the New Covenant. It is our very life! In order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever Amen (1 Peter 4:11 ESV).

Jay Leach, In His Service,

Fayetteville, NC

SECTION ONE

RESTORING THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

"That He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 4:20-21 NKJV).

CHAPTER ONE

IN PURSUIT OF TRUE RESTORATION

And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke (Joel 2:28-30 NIV).

A s stated in the introduction, the majority of Christians today are being discipled by popular media, large flashy events, and false theology because local churches have by choice or simply neglected their responsibility to make (spiritually mature) disciples. Yet, the Church is the primary entity God uses to grow people to maturity (discipleship) in Christ Jesus. Many pastors are hired with the focus on growing crowds instead of growing disciples. Our problem then is a lack of maturing disciples (voluntary disobedience). This tells us: that we are not too deep as some claim, but we are too shallow! Perhaps the church should think about what it means to go deeper with fewer people rather than going wider with many. I remember a pastor remarking, that he couldn’t wait for things to get back to normal. His friend remarked, I don’t think we will ever return to the pre-quarantine normal. Many are like that pastor – not realizing that that world no longer exists. While there will be challenges, I believe there will be more opportunities – and remember, the quarantine did not catch God by surprise! The pandemic was a wake-up call; to make necessary positive changes to move the church forward.

My hope in writing this book is to present a paradigm that will help local churches implement methods and strategic ministry that will grow spiritually mature, deep, and holistic disciples – to engage the enemy in the battle for the heart and soul of American Church. We are seeing more prayer and discipleship in ministry outside of the local churches because they are so neglected inside. Undoubtedly, much of what is done in many local churches is completely apart from Jesus. We have a chance to get back on our Christ assigned missions. Nevertheless, the fact remains that Jesus commissioned every local church specifically, to reach, teach, form, and holistically develop spiritually mature followers of Christ (disciples) until He comes back! I see the Lord using this opportunity to move His church back to center. Are you excited and ready?

Bridging the Gaps

There are gaps in the lives of many people, even among church folk between where they are and where they want to be. In listening to many of those who have left their local churches; their claim is that the churches offer traditional programs and solutions that actually drive people away rather than keep them, for example:

• The pastor (shepherd) is not feeding the sheep (people), the truth of God’s Word.

• The church does not feel like a place where a