Shepherd in Psalm 23, A safeguard to pastoral ministries in Nigeria

Abstract

In the contemporary Churches in Nigeria, many Pastors have become professional practitioners without any positive witness to their pastoral ministry. There is gross abuse among priests and ministers, not only in the orthodox Churches but across denominational affiliations in Nigeria. This has questioned the authenticity of God‟s calling upon many priest and tarnished their ministries. Such priestly lasciviousness has led to materialism and the quest for physical gratification and exploitation of the members. The shepherd no longer care for the sheep but desire to be fattened alone by the sheep. Both the print and electronic media are occupied with news of pastoral lewdness and inordinate desire for money and properties. The situation has so degenerated that pastors have been charged with fraudulent practices, such as, internet scam, stealing, sexual misconduct, etc. these challenges have grossly affected the pastoral oversight of the Priests and further polarized them from their flocks. It is this challenge that this research undertakes; to reexamine the context of shepherding in Psalm 23 and its implications for the Pastoral ministries in Nigeria contemporary denominations. The research employed historical, and descriptive survey research methods of approach. This became important so that the research will be able to get to the background in order to discover some facts and how this can be appropriated in Nigeria churches. The research concluded that Psalm 23 can be understood from a leadership perspective, that Yahweh‟s shepherding roles in protecting, providing, and comforting should Be a model for Priests. The study recommended that the Nigeria head of churches should developed task and ministry oriented groups that shall be committed to reaching optimal health, physical and spiritual growth of the people through, communal life and caring for the congregants. Care-giving ministry should transcends the priesthood, hence, trained members should be incorporated to the care-giving ministry.