Protect the flock: Unpacking Jesus’ instructions to church leaders

Church leaders have been given great power and responsibility by God. They must use it for the good of the whole body, says Lucy Peppiatt

There are only two places in the Gospels where Jesus speaks about the “church” — Matthew 16 and Matthew 18.

In these two chapters, he gives his disciples crucial guidance as to what they are going to face as ministers. The advice remains as relevant for us today as ever…