The delicate and biblical balance between the shepherd and the flock is most evident within the life of the sixteenth-century Anabaptist church. Believing that they had been called by God to restore the New Testament church, Anabaptist guarded the fellowship from false teachers and false doctrine. They insured the purity of the church through (1) believer’s baptism (true repentance), (2) the Lord’s Supper, and (3) church discipline.
The one most responsible for diligently carrying out this task was the pastor himself. It was his duty to diligently search the Scriptures each week and share with his flock the bread of life. He was called to cast the vision of the church in the way God led him. The pastor was also expected to make New Testament visits (episkeptomai, James 1:27) in order to know the spiritual condition of his people. Therefore, the congregation took special care to find a pastor whose life emulated the life of Christ and whose heart illustrated the love of Christ. This was a corporate responsibility, not a selective one. God had called them out of the world together. They were to serve together. They were the church of God whose responsibility was to spread the gospel to the corners of the earth.
Consequently, their leader must be one who not only could be followed but should be honored as well. Indeed, he is a servant among servants who is given authority from God and the congregation. If he were ever to stumble morally or theologically, he himself would face the same discipline by the congregation that he recommended for others. But if he worked vigorously to give the people of God the Word of God, if he lived in such a way that others could follow him, he was given the admiration due him.