Actually the sheep form their own sheep pens.. its always been true.. The lord is the gate to the sheep pen.. and he beckons them OUT.. by his voice.. and some follow him, some do not.. the synagogue is also a sheep pen.. Men have a tendency to organize as "clubs".. Its true.. Even within the pens there are cliques.. same is true with the reformed and with the orthodox.. monkdoms and variations of obsession.. i.e. many kinds of Baptist and RCC "groups".... sub-pens..
Is this all thought out (by me)?.. NAH!.. but the metaphor seems to work quite nicely.. And it explains(one explanation) how the Body of Christ can be varied..
Just goes to show you how "rich" biblical symbols can be. I don't think there's anything "objectively wrong" with your view, dear hosepipe. Just as I don't think there's anything "objectively wrong" with mine. Both interpretations seem just, though each is viewed from a somewhat different perspective.
Again, biblical symbols can be enormously "rich." Which to my way of thinking is an argument against any attempt to read the Holy Scriptures "literally."
Thank you so much for your insights, dear brother in Christ!