As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
1 PETER 5:1-4 (NLT)

More gritty. Less glamorous.
More private. Less public.
More prayer. Less proclamation.
More conversations. Less quotes.
More living room. Less laptop.
More obscure. Less “highlight reel.”
More intimate. Less impressive.
More others. Less me.
More Spirit. Less self.

THIS IS PASTORAL MINISTRY

Comforting the grieving.
Reconciling the disunited.
Correcting the wanderer.
Challenging the apathetic.
Counseling the confused.
Evangelizing the lost.
Equipping the saint.
Reminding the forgetful.
Encouraging the discouraged.
Discerning the deceitful.
Protecting the vulnerable.
Calling out the called.

THIS IS PASTORAL MINISTRY

Gracious not forceful.
Meek not domineering.
Resilient not defensive.
Patient not hurried.
Focused not distracted.
Present not isolated.
Sacrificial not self-preserving.
Humble not self-promoting.
God-dependent not self-reliant.

THIS IS PASTORAL MINISTRY

Lord, please help me never to forget.