SHEEP STEALING SYNDROME
SHEEP STEALING SYNDROME In the Farming world, Sheep stealing is considered a crime. A Farmer who has had 25 sheep stolen from his flock described his pain as follows: "When you find they have been stolen it's heartbreaking because even though you don't know everyone, you do know your own sheep. It just adds to the hardship of shepherding, if you get a couple stolen from a big herd you can absorb it, but if you've only got a few, it can be serious and it can put you out of sheep-keeping." When reflecting on these words, my thoughts went over to the shepherd in the parable of the lost sheep. Though the lost sheep was not stolen, there was the heart of the Good Shepherd crying and going out for the one lost sheep. Further reflection on the whole experience of sheep-stealing prevalent in the church, made me realize no Pastor is free from the pain of losing the sheep. This is a bone of contention between pastors and denominations which sadly is c