Cyberspace Ministry - What is the Gift of Shepherding?

November 2008
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Literal meaning

To oversee, protect and feed a flock.

Description

The gift of shepherding is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believer, to nurture, care for, and guide this group toward on-going spiritual maturity and becoming like Christ.

Bible references

Theory	Practice
Ephesians 4:11-15	Isaiah 40:11
1 Timothy 3:1-7	John 10:1-16
1 Peter 5:1-4	1 Corinthians 3:1,2

Distinctives

People with this gift:

take responsibility to nurture the whole person in their walk with God;
provide guidance and oversight to a group of God’s people;
model with their life what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus;
strive to lead others to greater obedience to God;
feel responsible to lead and protect any that God has entrusted to their care.

Personal traits and behaviors

A person with this gift is usually:
Caring	Nurturing
Discipling	Protective
Guiding	Supportive
Relational	Restoring

Cautions

People with this gift:

should realize that some of those being nurtured will grow beyond the shepherd’s own ability and need to be freed to do so;
need to avoid participating in gossip;
should remember that God judges those who neglect or abuse their oversight responsibilities.

Mobilizing for ministry

People with this gift are needed in the church for:
Church nurture visitation	Lay pastor
Study-group leader	Singles ministry
Giving Bible studies	Counselling

Related gifts

This gift belongs to the category *RESPONSIBILITY.* You may find useful to get information on other gifts which belong to this same category. These gifts are:
Administration	Apostleship	Leadership