Win with People: Returning to the Call of a Shepherd

by Jeff Little

Jesus said if you love Him, you'll feed His sheep. What did He mean, and how does it work? The Bible is filled with shepherds. Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David all took care of sheep. Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd. Peter and Paul both said pastors are called to care for God's sheep. More than creating and communicating spiritual content, more than putting on services, God expects ministry leaders to take care of His people. This is more than huddling over a few sheep. It requires a broad set of skills -- strategic vision, healthy systems, the courage to fight off predators, and wisdom necessary for expansion. And yet, all these skills are part of the calling to love and serve people in a way that reflects the heart of God. What happens when we have God's heart for people? We understand people aren't an obstacle -- they're what He cares about. We steward our hearts before we steward our tasks. We increase the effectiveness of every team in our organization. We clarify how we think about calling. We improve the health of every relationship in our lives.

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[Morgan Bingham · Rating 1 out of 5]

I will say, I was forced to read this book for work, I don’t think that I am the kind of person who this book was intended for… we may have similar beliefs, but WILDLY different practices and ways of talking about those beliefs.

With that being said, this book is terrible. It feels like a business person masquerading as a pastor. The church is not and should not be a business. It felt very surface level and detached. The cover and layout are nice, but there was no substance or heart. There are countless other books about shepherding, this one is not worth your time.

The author continually writes about the people in his church in a way that I wouldn’t want my pastor talking about me.. and if as a pastor you think that your church needs ‘good billboards’ and a ‘good social media presence’ to make people feel welcome… you’ve lost the plot.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I’ve read in a while. It brings simplicity to every believer’s calling. It’s practical. It’s encouraging. It’s….doable in every season of life and in any role. Whether you’re in vocational ministry or you’re doing ministry in a secular vocation (or school, or family, literally anywhere) this book is for you!