The sheep metaphor was useful in Biblical times. Today, it has its limitations. Human beings are not mindless beasts. We give glory to our Creator through the use of our God-given intellects.

Besides, whenever people are referred to as sheep in Scripture, the point is that we are all under the care of the one Good Shepherd. Jesus told Peter to feed "my" sheep. He didn't say they would henceforth belong to Peter himself.

I have no problem with the notion of Jesus as my shepherd, but that relationship doesn't extend to clergy. I respect them as religious leaders and I take their authority seriously. But, no, I don't consider myself part of a flock to be herded.