He leads me beside the still waters…  Psalm 23.2

The work of shepherds
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, declared emphatically that He leads His sheep and they follow Him (Jn. 10.3-5). This matter of leading God’s sheep begs two questions.

Where?

And how?

Let’s look at the first question in this installment. The Lord’s sheep will follow the shepherd He has appointed to lead them. Alas, for too many congregations, that means little more than aimless wandering around the status quo, with little sense of direction, movement, or growth. How many churches have really grown to realize more of the Lord’s vision for them, as outlined in His Word? And how many believers are experiencing more of Jesus, filling and overflowing from them?

If believers and churches aren’t being led into more of the righteousness, peace, joy, and witness of the Lord it’s because their shepherds aren’t leading them there. God keeps shouting at us from His Word, “You have dwelt long enough at this mountain!” (Deut. 1.6). He keeps wanting us to grow, increase, expand, move on, and claim more of His precious and very great promises.

But if our shepherds don’t know what God has promised for His sheep, as individuals and flocks, marching around Mt. Status Quo is about all we’ll ever do.

Pastor, how confident are you that you know where you should be leading your church?

Resources for Shepherds
May I send you a free copy of our book, Fan into Flame? This handbook for shepherd/leaders can help you gain a better understanding of what it means to grow in the Lord and what a healthy, growing church looks like. Further, it will help you to assess the state of your church as a sign and outpost of the Kingdom of God, and of your own ministry as a shepherd who leads as God intends. It’s free at the bookstore (click here, or write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I’ll send you a copy in PDF. Click here to see the table of contents and to hear an excerpt from Fan into Flame.

The chief work of a shepherd is to spend and be spent for the souls of those entrusted to your care. Our current ReVision series, “Strong Souls”, can help you focus with more clarity and effectiveness on achieving this aim. We’ll be studying the components of the soul, how they function together, and what we can do to help others grow stronger in their souls. Read the opening installment in Part 1 by clicking here.

From the Celtic Revival
“Is it not impossible for any polished accomplishment or exercise to be attained without discipline? Or can discipline be acquired without bitterness? Therefore, since these things are so, let us make ready our mind, not for joy, not for security, as the Sage says, but for temptations and trials, for griefs and toils.”

  - Columbanus, Sermon IV, Irish, 7th century

“However, you have seen for yourselves how much I have paid to the administrators of justice in all the districts I was in the habit of visiting regularly. I reckon to have distributed to them no less than the price of fifteen men, so that you could continue to enjoy me, and I you, in God. I have no regret, nor have I done with it; I still spend, and will spend more.”

  - Patrick, Confession, Irish, 5th century

Read more from the leaders of the Celtic Revival (ca. 430-800 AD) in recent issues of Crosfigell by clicking here. Would you like to learn more about the Celtic Revival? Write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and I’ll send you our free book, The Celtic Revival: A Brief Introduction, in PDF.

T. M. Moore

Looking for Fellowship with other men?
Perhaps The Fellowship of Ailbe might be a place for you to share, pray, and learn with other men, and to encourage them in their own walk with and work for the Lord. If you’d like to learn more about Membership in The Fellowship of Ailbe, write to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Been to the bookstore lately?
Because if not, you’re missing a great opportunity to stock up on some free resources, such as our workbook on Shepherding God’s Flock (click here).

It is our privilege to provide resources and opportunities to equip and encourage church leaders in building the Lord’s Church and advancing His Kingdom. Please pray that God will move many of those we serve through this ministry to share with us financially in its support. If the Lord moves you to give, you can use the Contribute button at the website to give with a credit card or through PayPal, or you can send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 360 Zephyr Road, Williston, VT 05495.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.