Lead Me, Just Don’t Like Me
Why Spiritual Oversight Still Matters in a Digital Age
We live in a world that’s always online—scrolling 📱, streaming 🎧, and swiping. We’re more connected than ever, yet many of us feel more anxious, isolated, and spiritually exhausted 😔 than ever before. With influencers, podcasts, and endless content at our fingertips, it’s easy to ask: Do pastors and spiritual leaders still matter?
The answer? Absolutely. Spiritual oversight isn’t about control—it’s about care ❤️. It’s about watching over souls in a way that feeds, guides, and protects in a world that constantly pulls us off course.
What Does It Mean to Watch Over Souls?
In Acts 20:28, Paul told church leaders:
"Guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock, His church purchased with His own blood, over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders."
Notice the emphasis: guard, feed, shepherd. A pastor’s role isn’t about running a show or building a brand. It’s about being present—checking in when you’re drifting 👀, praying when you’re weary 🙏, and challenging you when compromise creeps in.
Think of a shepherd:
They feed the flock (truth that sustains) 🍞
They lead with direction and wisdom 🧭
They protect from danger 🛡️
They correct to keep the sheep safe
That’s oversight. Not glamorous, not flashy—but vital.
Why Authority Isn’t the Same as Control
Let’s be real: words like obey or submit hit different today, especially for Gen Z and Millennials who’ve seen authority abused 🚫.
But the Bible paints a different picture. Hebrews 13:17 says:
"Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God."
That’s not about domination—it’s about accountability before God. Real pastors don’t use authority to crush you—they use it to care for you 💙.
If a leader ever demanded blind loyalty, silenced your questions, or shamed your doubts—that’s control, not Christ.
Biblical leadership looks like Jesus: humble, sacrificial, servant-hearted ✝️.
What True Servant Leadership Looks Like
A real shepherd:
Feeds you with God’s Word 📖
Guides with wisdom, not ego
Protects when spiritual danger is near ⚔️
Corrects with love, not shame
Walks with you through real life 👣
It’s not about a platform. It’s about people. It’s not about power. It’s about sacrifice.
Why Shepherds Need to Lead, Not Just Feed
Church isn’t just about getting a weekly dose of teaching. Pastors aren’t spiritual “content creators” 🎥 for us to consume.
A true shepherd doesn’t just wait for you to come to them. They’ll go after you when you wander 🐑. They’ll step in when compromise is creeping.
Leadership means more than encouragement—it sometimes means correction, spoken in love ❤️.
Why This Matters for Gen Z (and Everyone Else)
If you’re Gen Z, you’re not impressed by hype. You crave realness, depth, and guidance 🌱. You want mentors who don’t just post highlight reels but actually walk through the hard stuff with you.
But here’s the tension: many say they want accountability, but when it comes—through correction, challenge, or pastoral direction—it’s easier to ghost 👻 than to grow 🌳. Oversight isn’t always comfortable, but comfort rarely grows anyone.
For older generations, it’s easy to lean on tradition or past experience. But God’s design for oversight doesn’t expire ⏳. No matter your age, we all need shepherding voices pulling us closer to Christ.
Life Application
The question to wrestle with this week isn’t: Am I entertained? 🎶 It’s: Am I leadable?
When God nudges you through His Word—do you respond or resist?
When a pastor lovingly corrects you—do you listen or shut down?
When the Spirit stretches you—do you step in or step back?
Take time this week—off-screen 📵—and pray:
"Lord, where have I been resistant to Your leadership or the leaders You’ve placed in my life?"
Write it down ✍️. Name it. Surrender it.
Because here’s the truth: Jesus doesn’t lead with guilt—He leads with grace. Pastors aren’t here to control you, but to guide you into freedom. You don’t have to like every word—but you do need leadership if you want to grow. 🌟
🔥 Big takeaway for every generation: Stop treating spiritual leadership like optional content. It’s not about control—it’s about care. And in a digital age full of noise, distraction, and deception, oversight isn’t outdated—it’s essential.
(New Living Translation Bible, 1996)
(New King James Version, 1975)