CrossView Church: Antioch, IL

We Need Our Shepherds

When we gather as a church, we're not just an organization with managers - we're a flock with shepherds. Our elders aren't just board members making decisions about budgets and buildings (though they do that too). They're shepherds, called by God himself to guide, protect, and nurture us through life's journey.

Let's be honest - sometimes we bristle at the idea of being called sheep. Nobody wants to be seen as mindless followers. But that's missing the profound beauty of the metaphor. In the ancient world, shepherds didn't drive their sheep from behind with cattle prods. They led from the front, their familiar voice calling out through valleys and highlands, their steady presence bringing comfort and direction in every season.

This is what we see in our church elders - men who've committed to walking ahead of us, modeling the way of Christ. They scan the horizon for spiritual dangers, discern when we need rest, and know when we need encouragement to press forward. These shepherds lose sleep over our spiritual well-being, carrying the weight of many souls in their daily prayers. With watchful eyes, they guard against wolves in sheep's clothing while tenderly caring for the wounded and weak among us.

We're not looking for perfect leaders - Scripture never promises us those. What we have instead are fellow believers who've accepted a biblical charge, following in the footsteps of Jesus, the Great Shepherd himself. They serve under His authority, emulating His pattern of sacrificial leadership. Through their faithful service, they show us what it means to lay down their lives for the sheep, just as Jesus did.

The elders of CVC are committed to the truth and authority of the gospel, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and to the spiritual growth of individuals and families here at CVC. These men serve as spiritual leaders and prayer warriors.

Feel free to contact them with any questions or a word of encouragement.