Shepherding Like Jesus: Returning to the Wild Idea that Character Matters in Ministry

by Andrew Hébert

POOR IN SPIRIT. BROKEN. HUMBLE. HUNGRY. SYMPATHETIC. PURE. RECONCILING. ENDURING.
 
These are not the words that describe the typical picture of the modern-day successful American pastor, but these are the words Jesus said should characterize the lives of his twelve disciples. In many circles, the image of what a pastor is or does looks nothing like the picture Jesus paints for his disciples of the character that marks citizens of his kingdom.

Shepherding like Jesus is a call to rebel against much of what our culture understands pastoral leadership to be and return to being the shepherd God has called pastors to be. It’s an invitation to recover the most essential element of pastoral the character of Christ.
 

Genres: Leadership, Spirituality, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[BJ Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shepherding is a book for pastors, or those heading into the ministry, written by a pastor. Unlike most books of this type, Hebert focuses not so much on what to do or even how to build a successful ministry. Instead, the heart of this book is that character matters. Each chapter in this book is based around one of the Beatitudes found in Matthew chapter 5. While there is nothing radical or new in this book, it is a great reminder that the most important part of ministry is fostering and guarding a heart like Jesus had.

Some quotes:

"I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." - Charles Spurgeon

"You are never more like Jesus than when you give and when you forgive."

"Sadly, Christians are very often persecuted not for their Christianity, but for their lack of it. Sometimes they are rejected simply because they have unpleasing personalities. They are rude, insensitive, thoughtless, or piously obnoxious. Sometimes they are rejected because they are discerned as proud and judgmental. Others are disliked because they are lazy and irresponsible. Incompetence mixed with piety is sure to bring rejection."

[Josh G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, sobering, and helpful. Each chapter was better than the previous.

I wish he would have spent a little more time acknowledging, even explaining the importance of pastoral competence — especially since incompetence in the pastorate can be a crushing burden, while competence can be such a blessing (Psalm 78:72; Jeremiah 3:15). But I understand and appreciate why the emphasis was placed so heavily on character — it’s a needed reminder, corrective, and exhortation.

I also enjoyed the illustrations: since Andrew pastored close to where I live, I resonated with his illustrations about life in the Permian Basin.

[Daniel Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hebert walks us through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and especially through the Beatitudes. What has become the mainstream image of a “successful” evangelical pastor is challenged and the idea of a broken minister is presented as the Bible’s version of how a pastor should be. This book convicts and encourages; ministers come to the reality that we cannot do it on our own, but are reminded that in Christ we will find strength and do well.

[Douglas Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Shepherding like Jesus" by Andrew Hébert provides an important balance to the plethora of task and function-based books written on Pastoral Leadership. The author's focus is firmly on the character of the Pastor and he capably uses the framework of the beatitudes to teach this. The true value of this book is as a corrective to our western church cultural bias that attributes success based purely on numbers and image. Character is a non-negotiable qualifier for Pastoral leadership and the number of high profile mega-church ministers who have fallen due to catastrophic character failure should be warning enough of the consequences of its absence!

I particularly enjoyed the sections at the end of each chapter written by contributing Pastors sharing their own personal stories and experiences in life and ministry. This is a book that should be read by all who aspire to pastoral ministry. It is also a "heart-check" for those of us who have been in pastoral ministry for any length of time. Recommended.

[Joshua Crutchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew provides pastors with a needed encouragement to shepherd like Jesus. Following the Sermon in the Mount, pastors are reminded that they are to lead God’s people by following Christ’s example. The pastoral contributions really add to the books overall value, as pastors share insight to ministry the have experienced. This book is worth the read!

[Mary P. Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding help for church leaders and leaders of Christian organizations (or any type of leadership!)
Hebert builds his book on a study of the Beatitudes from Matthew 5, and relates each one to an aspect of leadership. Each chapter includes an essay written by other Bible scholars on the topic of that chapter. This is a valuable resource for anyone who is in a position to lead other people.

[Adam Kareus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on the pastoral character and why this is often an overlooked aspect of the ministry. Using the beatitudes Hebert sets forth how pastoral ministry depends on the character of the pastor.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not ground-breaking, not perfect, but overall good reminders of what it means to be like Christ in pastoral ministry.

[Clint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on being the Shepherd that Jesus is!

This is a must for anyone in ministry...or considering ministry. Andrew pushes pastors to dig deeper into the true calling to lead people. He challenges us to lead like Christ and not like ourselves. Quite the challenge!

[Kellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just read Matthew 5

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shepherding Like Jesus is an excellent resource. The primary audience is to pastors and church leaders. This resource is truly a gift to pastors and church leaders. The past two years have been extremely difficult for a lot of folks, but especially pastors. They have been on the front line of ministry amid the pandemic and cultural upheaval. Shepherding Like Jesus is a call to serve the people of God as an under shepherd of the Chief Shepherd. Yet there is much that can be gleaned from the book for others who are not serving as a pastor. Each of the beatitudes applies to all believers alike, because we are all called to follow Jesus.

Continue reading the full review here: http://readingfortheglory.com/2022/07...