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Acts 20: Fierce Wolves are Coming; Guard the Flock
God has given us a special gift in Paul's farewell message to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-38). There is really nothing else in the New Testament comparable to this passage. In "Acts 20: Fierce Wolves are Coming; Guard the Flock," Alexander Strauch provides an in-depth yet practical exposition of this extraordinary portion of Scripture. History amply demonstrates that the truths of Paul's message cannot be overstated or repeated too often. The appalling, centuries-long failure to stop false teachers from invading churches can be traced directly back to ignorance of or disobedience to Paul's prophetic warnings to the Ephesian elders. Paul's instructions and pleas to the Ephesian elders are just as critically needed today as they were that day on the shores of Miletus. "Any church elder who does not know the content of Paul's message to the Ephesian elders is ill-equipped to lead and protect God's people." — Alexander Strauch
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2021
24 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 13, 2025
A really good book to begin training those you hope to raise up as future elders, especially if you aim to care for the church like Christ died for her!
June 24, 2025
Overall, a good reminder of Paul's words in Acts 20. The section on pastors being "watchmen" was particularly helpful.
November 20, 2024
Helpful overview, from Acts 20, about the work of an Elder.
May 9, 2025
This was good. I like Pastor Strauch, he has a lot of really solid ideas and good information, but he seems to lack a lot of practical advice.
A lot of the book becomes him explaining an idea that is far too obvious to need explanation (i.e. pastors/elders should be responsible with church funds) at that rate . . . we need to look at our audience. Pastors/elders who are stealing from the church are not interested in the bible based, expository book that Strauch produces. Same with a pastor who is not expositing the Word. If they are not doing that already, this book isn't going to make them change their mind.
Then you also have the large chunks where Strauch is trying to convince you that the Bible says what the Bible is clearly saying. He goes and finds other times Paul repeated his message in the Epistles. There is nothing essentially wrong with cross-referencing, but when 2/3 of the chapter is your cross references to the point you are trying to make . . .
Then you have the sections where he stays with the metaphor too much. Pastors/Shepherds do indeed watch over the flock of God, they feed the flock, they guard the flock. But the only time he gives a literal definition of these metaphors is when he discusses feeding the flock and expository preaching. Beyond that . . . I am simply at a loss. I would love to get a big shepherd's staff and start smacking around false teachers, but I don't think that's what I'm called to do.
Pastor Strauch fails to explain what it is I am supposed to do when confronted with a false teacher. The church I was at hired a false teacher and the elders simply ignored him. Was I supposed to . . . question him? Challenge him? Hit him with a stick? Start a subgroup within the church where we talk bad about him behind his back, eventually leading to a church split and the denouncement of everyone who stayed?
I questioned him . . . and was ignored, his section on false teachers is exactly right. He talked for hours to say nothing, made the entire thing so complicated and as to mean nothing, and then when all else failed just lied to make his point.
Everyone else in the church just decided to ignore the problem and bad mouth the man behind his back.
Neither of those options seem like the healthy church thing to do. But this book . . . doesn't really tell an elder what to do about it. I think they should have fired him on the spot. But I don't know. Gee . . . I sure wish there was a book that could help with this problem instead of telling me for the 15th time that a good shepherd loves the flock.
Again, the information isn't wrong or bad, but it isn't super practical. When someone steps to the front of your church and teaches heterodox theology, what do you do?
When your church hires a pastor who then invites his gay friends to come join him at church . . . what do you do?
These were the situations I found myself . . . and I'm still not sure how to handle it.
A solid read, even if a little lacking in practical advice.
A lot of the book becomes him explaining an idea that is far too obvious to need explanation (i.e. pastors/elders should be responsible with church funds) at that rate . . . we need to look at our audience. Pastors/elders who are stealing from the church are not interested in the bible based, expository book that Strauch produces. Same with a pastor who is not expositing the Word. If they are not doing that already, this book isn't going to make them change their mind.
Then you also have the large chunks where Strauch is trying to convince you that the Bible says what the Bible is clearly saying. He goes and finds other times Paul repeated his message in the Epistles. There is nothing essentially wrong with cross-referencing, but when 2/3 of the chapter is your cross references to the point you are trying to make . . .
Then you have the sections where he stays with the metaphor too much. Pastors/Shepherds do indeed watch over the flock of God, they feed the flock, they guard the flock. But the only time he gives a literal definition of these metaphors is when he discusses feeding the flock and expository preaching. Beyond that . . . I am simply at a loss. I would love to get a big shepherd's staff and start smacking around false teachers, but I don't think that's what I'm called to do.
Pastor Strauch fails to explain what it is I am supposed to do when confronted with a false teacher. The church I was at hired a false teacher and the elders simply ignored him. Was I supposed to . . . question him? Challenge him? Hit him with a stick? Start a subgroup within the church where we talk bad about him behind his back, eventually leading to a church split and the denouncement of everyone who stayed?
I questioned him . . . and was ignored, his section on false teachers is exactly right. He talked for hours to say nothing, made the entire thing so complicated and as to mean nothing, and then when all else failed just lied to make his point.
Everyone else in the church just decided to ignore the problem and bad mouth the man behind his back.
Neither of those options seem like the healthy church thing to do. But this book . . . doesn't really tell an elder what to do about it. I think they should have fired him on the spot. But I don't know. Gee . . . I sure wish there was a book that could help with this problem instead of telling me for the 15th time that a good shepherd loves the flock.
Again, the information isn't wrong or bad, but it isn't super practical. When someone steps to the front of your church and teaches heterodox theology, what do you do?
When your church hires a pastor who then invites his gay friends to come join him at church . . . what do you do?
These were the situations I found myself . . . and I'm still not sure how to handle it.
A solid read, even if a little lacking in practical advice.
May 18, 2022
I did not intend to read another book on biblical eldership. I have served as an elder at my local church in the past and have recently begun serving again. I wish I had read this book YEARS ago. I feel tremendously encouraged about the work I have undertaken and that would be worth it if that was all. The teaching and example of the apostle Paul as shown in Acts 20 (the Bible passage not this book) as unpacked in Acts 20 (the book not the Bible passage it is based on) have left me with a renewed insight on the task I have chosen to undertake. The chapters are informative and reinforcing on a lot of items I already knew. Where it excelled in preparing me for the yoke I have taken on is to reinforce to me how Christ evaluates the items I do and to rekindle in me a desire to see and approach things in accordance with His commands. The biggest example, Jesus, using the Holy Spirit to direct Paul, calls certain ones a "fierce wolf". Those were people Paul knew. They were ones he may have worked alongside and maybe discipled. They were not wandering sheep or someone struggling that needed help. Jesus called them a wolf who was out to destroy another person. Like Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders, I need to be ready to accept the fact that someone I know and love may be a wolf.
Aside from the helpful teaching, the book contains places where training materials can be found. Not being a seminary graduate, there are holes in my education or (minimally) items I had never connected into my ministry as an elder. How can I adequately be involved in training the younger generation with these deficiencies? Strauch provides directions on where those materials can begin to be found. I feel better equipped to help my brothers be prepared for the next step in Christ's call on their lives.
Aside from the helpful teaching, the book contains places where training materials can be found. Not being a seminary graduate, there are holes in my education or (minimally) items I had never connected into my ministry as an elder. How can I adequately be involved in training the younger generation with these deficiencies? Strauch provides directions on where those materials can begin to be found. I feel better equipped to help my brothers be prepared for the next step in Christ's call on their lives.
February 7, 2022
This is Strauch's exposition of Acts 20:18-35, where Paul at Miletus called for the Ephesian elders to come to him, where he gave them a final charge. This is not just a good book for elders/pastors/shepherds, but is an excellent read for all Christians. The fierce wolves are not just coming, they are here! We need Biblical discernment to separate the wolves from the true shepherds pastoring our churches.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
December 13, 2022
This exposition of Paul’s final message to the Ephesian elders is what frames this book. Strauch has done a thorough job in highlighting the barriers elements of the ministry of elders in this book. His book Biblical Eldership is his best and one of the best on elders within the church so comparing this book to that one is not fair. If you are just to read one of his read BE. This book is good but has too many quotes which break up the flow of reading for me. Solid book, 4 stars.
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August 14, 2025Great book
This a great book for both current and future elders. Men desiring to serve as elders will benefit as it will help them understand the role and responsibilities they will carry out as shepherds. The book also reminds those who are currently serving as elders of the passion of Paul in encouraging the elders in Ephesus, a passion that we should feel as we serve God’s people.
This a great book for both current and future elders. Men desiring to serve as elders will benefit as it will help them understand the role and responsibilities they will carry out as shepherds. The book also reminds those who are currently serving as elders of the passion of Paul in encouraging the elders in Ephesus, a passion that we should feel as we serve God’s people.
May 15, 2022
This is a great run through of Acts 20 to help instruct pastors in their roles, what they should watch out for, and how to serve the body better. I would definitely recommend this, not only to pastors, but to any Christian who actively disciples others or is a leader in the church.
Side note, I am not a pastor so my recommendation is from the perspective of someone who disciples others.
Side note, I am not a pastor so my recommendation is from the perspective of someone who disciples others.
July 17, 2021
Excellent resource for elders
March 1, 2022
Great study of Acts 20.
March 30, 2022
Worth your time to read this book… Especially Chapter 7 about taking heed to yourself and your personal spiritual growth.
September 8, 2022
Excellent resource which conveys exactly what it describes. I found myself learning a lot even though not being an elder/pastor. There is a lot of simple wisdom in this book.
May 13, 2024
Helpful and insightful. Highly recommend who is a pastor/elder. Even if you're not you will find some sort of encouragement from this!
April 22, 2025
Must read for church leaders
Such an excellent read for every pastor or elder. Strauch emphasizes what is most crucial from Paul's charge to church leaders.
Such an excellent read for every pastor or elder. Strauch emphasizes what is most crucial from Paul's charge to church leaders.
December 20, 2025
Very helpful volume on shepherding the local church!
December 22, 2025
It’s fine. Good reminders. Helpful to go through with a team to spark discussion.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews