Jesus was (and is) the Good Shepherd. He said so – John 10:11 & 14 – “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus gave his life for his sheep, that is, for his church. He in fact obtained the church with the purchase price of his own blood. Acts 20:28 – “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” These words were spoken by the apostle Paul to a group of church leaders – shepherds – in the 1st century A.D. Notice that Paul describes the church as a “flock,” and its leaders as “overseers.” This has been common language since the 1st century when talking about church members and church leadership. Further information about elders / shepherds / overseers can be found in the following New Testament texts: 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-5.