What is a Shepherd?
by Pastor Dag Heward-MIlls
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were SCATTERED abroad, as sheep having NO SHEPHERD.
Matthew 9:36
I am writing this book because it is my strong belief that many people can join in taking care of God’s sheep. It is time for us to rise up and join the great work of looking after God’s people. Being a shepherd is one of the greatest things of all time because our Lord loves the people and sees them as sheep who need care and guidance. Being a shepherd is a very great job. That is why it is the job that was given to apostle Peter, the head of the church. Remember! Jesus told Peter to prove his love by feeding and caring for the sheep. Peter, do you love me? If you love me feed my sheep!
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?
What It Means to Become A Shepherd
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep
John 21:15-17
There are two categories of people in every church: shepherds and sheep. You are either a shepherd or a sheep. A shepherd is basically a pastor. Indeed, in many languages there is not a different word for ‘Shepherd’ and ‘Pastor.’ The same word that is used for shepherd is the word that is used for pastor. I prefer using the word shepherd because it helps everyone to understand what the work entails. I prefer using the term ‘shepherd’ because it is a clearer definition of what a pastor really is. Being a shepherd means that you must see people as sheep and relate with them as such.
There are many strange interpretations of the word ‘pastor’ and everyone has his own idea of what a pastor should be or do. However, when you say you are a shepherd you immediately know that your job is looking after sheep. Obviously, if you are a shepherd you cannot look after people who do not have sheep- like characteristics and cannot be led, guided, taught or cared for. In the English language, the word pastor is so commonly used to mean ‘man of God’ or God’s representative. Because of this, prophets, apostles, deacons and almost every representative of God is called ‘pastor’. A shepherd is a specific type of worker who has time to care, time to love, time to feed and time to gather the sheep.
What is a Shepherd?
Notice in the scripture above that the sheep were scattered because there was no shepherd. Sheep are not scattered because there is no prophet. Sheep are not scattered because there is no evangelist or deacon. Sheep are scattered because there is no shepherd. It is my strong belief that many people are called to be shepherds. Many people can give their love, their time, their energy to look after somebody else. I know this because most people become mothers and fathers and have the natural ability to care for their children. Being a shepherd involves so much loving, caring and guiding that the sheep end up calling their shepherds fathers. When someone arises with the anointing of a shepherd, people gather around him because everybody needs love, care and guidance.
Learn to use the word ‘shepherd’ when describing those who are caring for God’s people and feeding them, because that is what they are. When you describe yourself as a shepherd, it helps you to focus on your work as a shepherd. Today, many people who are supposed to be caring loving and guiding the sheep have become secularised people who are more suited to a university than a church.
If you saw a shepherd sitting behind his desk in a bank, you would immediately ask him, ‘Where have you left your goats and sheep? What is happening to them? Who is caring for them?’ Today, many shepherds have left their goats and sheep and are found in the so-called market places doing something completely different from shepherding. They have despised the honour given to us to care for God’s people and to feed them. Don’t throw away this book. Shepherding is a very important task. It is God’s work. Take it seriously. You can become a shepherd and care for God’s children. You can also do something for God!
There was a time we received but it is time for us to give! There was a time we were taught but it is time for us to teach! There was a time that we were led by someone but it is time to lead others! Give up yourself for this noble work of shepherding – loving, caring and teaching people. It is an honour. Even if you are a layperson, you can become a shepherd. Many lay people
What It Means to Become A Shepherd
are in the ministry. You can be one of those honoured lay people who serve God as a shepherd.
If you are in full time ministry, think of yourself as a shepherd rather than a man of God. This will help you to understand your calling better. Flow in the loving, caring, guiding and the teaching gifts of God and you will be a shepherd to God’s people. Remember that Jesus loves His sheep very much. He died for us. He must care for us dearly! Anyone who looks after God’s sheep has moved directly into the love of God because Jesus loved and died for these sheep.
I am writing this book because it is my strong belief that many people can join in taking care of God’s sheep. It is time for us to rise up and join the great work of looking after God’s people. Being a shepherd is one of the greatest things of all time because our Lord loves the people and sees them as sheep who need care and guidance. Being a shepherd is a very great job. That is why it is the job that was given to apostle Peter, the head of the church. Remember! Jesus told Peter to prove his love by feeding and caring for the sheep. Peter, do you love me? If you love me feed my sheep!
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?
What It Means to Become A Shepherd
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep
John 21:15-17
There are two categories of people in every church: shepherds and sheep. You are either a shepherd or a sheep. A shepherd is basically a pastor. Indeed, in many languages there is not a different word for ‘Shepherd’ and ‘Pastor.’ The same word that is used for shepherd is the word that is used for pastor. I prefer using the word shepherd because it helps everyone to understand what the work entails. I prefer using the term ‘shepherd’ because it is a clearer definition of what a pastor really is. Being a shepherd means that you must see people as sheep and relate with them as such.
There are many strange interpretations of the word ‘pastor’ and everyone has his own idea of what a pastor should be or do. However, when you say you are a shepherd you immediately know that your job is looking after sheep. Obviously, if you are a shepherd you cannot look after people who do not have sheep- like characteristics and cannot be led, guided, taught or cared for. In the English language, the word pastor is so commonly used to mean ‘man of God’ or God’s representative. Because of this, prophets, apostles, deacons and almost every representative of God is called ‘pastor’. A shepherd is a specific type of worker who has time to care, time to love, time to feed and time to gather the sheep.
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep
John 21:15-17
There are two categories of people in every church: shepherds and sheep. You are either a shepherd or a sheep. A shepherd is basically a pastor. Indeed, in many languages there is not a different word for ‘Shepherd’ and ‘Pastor.’ The same word that is used for shepherd is the word that is used for pastor. I prefer using the word shepherd because it helps everyone to understand what the work entails. I prefer using the term ‘shepherd’ because it is a clearer definition of what a pastor really is. Being a shepherd means that you must see people as sheep and relate with them as such.
There are many strange interpretations of the word ‘pastor’ and everyone has his own idea of what a pastor should be or do. However, when you say you are a shepherd you immediately know that your job is looking after sheep. Obviously, if you are a shepherd you cannot look after people who do not have sheep- like characteristics and cannot be led, guided, taught or cared for. In the English language, the word pastor is so commonly used to mean ‘man of God’ or God’s representative. Because of this, prophets, apostles, deacons and almost every representative of God is called ‘pastor’. A shepherd is a specific type of worker who has time to care, time to love, time to feed and time to gather the sheep.
What is a Shepherd?
Notice in the scripture above that the sheep were scattered because there was no shepherd. Sheep are not scattered because there is no prophet. Sheep are not scattered because there is no evangelist or deacon. Sheep are scattered because there is no shepherd. It is my strong belief that many people are called to be shepherds. Many people can give their love, their time, their energy to look after somebody else. I know this because most people become mothers and fathers and have the natural ability to care for their children. Being a shepherd involves so much loving, caring and guiding that the sheep end up calling their shepherds fathers. When someone arises with the anointing of a shepherd, people gather around him because everybody needs love, care and guidance.
Learn to use the word ‘shepherd’ when describing those who are caring for God’s people and feeding them, because that is what they are. When you describe yourself as a shepherd, it helps you to focus on your work as a shepherd. Today, many people who are supposed to be caring loving and guiding the sheep have become secularised people who are more suited to a university than a church.
If you saw a shepherd sitting behind his desk in a bank, you would immediately ask him, ‘Where have you left your goats and sheep? What is happening to them? Who is caring for them?’ Today, many shepherds have left their goats and sheep and are found in the so-called market places doing something completely different from shepherding. They have despised the honour given to us to care for God’s people and to feed them. Don’t throw away this book. Shepherding is a very important task. It is God’s work. Take it seriously. You can become a shepherd and care for God’s children. You can also do something for God!
There was a time we received but it is time for us to give! There was a time we were taught but it is time for us to teach! There was a time that we were led by someone but it is time to lead others! Give up yourself for this noble work of shepherding – loving, caring and teaching people. It is an honour. Even if you are a layperson, you can become a shepherd. Many lay people
Notice in the scripture above that the sheep were scattered because there was no shepherd. Sheep are not scattered because there is no prophet. Sheep are not scattered because there is no evangelist or deacon. Sheep are scattered because there is no shepherd. It is my strong belief that many people are called to be shepherds. Many people can give their love, their time, their energy to look after somebody else. I know this because most people become mothers and fathers and have the natural ability to care for their children. Being a shepherd involves so much loving, caring and guiding that the sheep end up calling their shepherds fathers. When someone arises with the anointing of a shepherd, people gather around him because everybody needs love, care and guidance.
Learn to use the word ‘shepherd’ when describing those who are caring for God’s people and feeding them, because that is what they are. When you describe yourself as a shepherd, it helps you to focus on your work as a shepherd. Today, many people who are supposed to be caring loving and guiding the sheep have become secularised people who are more suited to a university than a church.
If you saw a shepherd sitting behind his desk in a bank, you would immediately ask him, ‘Where have you left your goats and sheep? What is happening to them? Who is caring for them?’ Today, many shepherds have left their goats and sheep and are found in the so-called market places doing something completely different from shepherding. They have despised the honour given to us to care for God’s people and to feed them. Don’t throw away this book. Shepherding is a very important task. It is God’s work. Take it seriously. You can become a shepherd and care for God’s children. You can also do something for God!
There was a time we received but it is time for us to give! There was a time we were taught but it is time for us to teach! There was a time that we were led by someone but it is time to lead others! Give up yourself for this noble work of shepherding – loving, caring and teaching people. It is an honour. Even if you are a layperson, you can become a shepherd. Many lay people
What It Means to Become A Shepherd
are in the ministry. You can be one of those honoured lay people who serve God as a shepherd.
If you are in full time ministry, think of yourself as a shepherd rather than a man of God. This will help you to understand your calling better. Flow in the loving, caring, guiding and the teaching gifts of God and you will be a shepherd to God’s people. Remember that Jesus loves His sheep very much. He died for us. He must care for us dearly! Anyone who looks after God’s sheep has moved directly into the love of God because Jesus loved and died for these sheep.
are in the ministry. You can be one of those honoured lay people who serve God as a shepherd.
If you are in full time ministry, think of yourself as a shepherd rather than a man of God. This will help you to understand your calling better. Flow in the loving, caring, guiding and the teaching gifts of God and you will be a shepherd to God’s people. Remember that Jesus loves His sheep very much. He died for us. He must care for us dearly! Anyone who looks after God’s sheep has moved directly into the love of God because Jesus loved and died for these sheep.
