Shepherding Together

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” — John 10:11

When Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd, he wasn’t describing a solo ministry; he was revealing God’s heart, showing us a love willing to walk among the flock, guide them through danger, and never abandon them. Yet in our time, shepherding carries complicated associations. Many people mistrust authority or institutions, and leadership itself can feel fragile.  Still, the call remains: God’s people need shepherds, and every follower of Christ is invited to share in this calling.

Shepherding begins with presence. It’s less about power and more about proximity. It happens when someone listens without rushing to fix, when another prays quietly for a friend, when a teacher opens Scripture with tenderness rather than control. In such moments, the love of the Good Shepherd becomes visible again.

Pastors have a role, yes, but not the only role. In the early church, shepherding was shared. Paul described apostles, prophets, teachers, and helpers, all working together for the building up of the body. The Church thrives when care and leadership are multiplied, not monopolized. Every baptized believer carries a portion of that shepherding grace: parents guiding children, youth encouraging friends, elders offering wisdom, intercessors lifting unseen burdens.

When we share the shepherding work, we create a community of mutual care, a living ecosystem of grace. We become both sheep and shepherd, both cared for and caring. That balance keeps us humble and hopeful. No one bears the whole load; everyone participates in the life of the flock.

Perhaps the invitation before us is to recover the joy of tending one another, to notice who may need comfort, who could use encouragement, who might simply need to know they are seen. Every act of care, however small, becomes a participation in Christ's ministry of love. So, where might God be calling you to share in the Shepherd’s work this week?

Pastor Jeff