Shepherd | APEST
By Charley Dever
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. - 1 Peter 5:2-3
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to sit down for coffee with a highly respected pastor. Over the years, he had successfully led multiple churches, each making a meaningful impact on our city.
Prior to our meeting, several friends encouraged me to reach out to him. He was clearly a great connection to make. However, alongside their encouragement came a familiar caveat: “He’s not really a people person.”
I found that statement ironic. Considering that the word “pastor” comes from the Greek word for “shepherd”, that is the equivalent of saying a shepherd “isn't really a sheep person.”
We eventually met for coffee. I asked plenty of questions and was grateful for his time. He was kind, but he showed little interest in getting to know me. After 25 minutes, he dismissed himself from the table and left. A few days later, a mutual friend said, “I’m surprised you got 25 minutes out of him!”
What Is a Pastor?
To be clear, this is not a criticism of this pastor. He is a highly gifted teacher and a visionary leader. He has done immense good in our city, and many have been blessed by his ministry. My critique is with how we use the term “pastor” in the modern American church. “Pastor” does not mean “church leader.” It is not the Christian equivalent of a board president or corporate CEO.
Of the five ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4, pastor (or shepherd) may be the most familiar to us, but it is also the most misunderstood. The Bible never uses this term as a title for a church leader. In fact, Ephesians 4 is the only place in the New Testament where the word is applied to anyone other than Jesus himself.
“Pastor” was never intended to be a job title; rather, it is a unique gift essential to the life of the Church. It stands equal to the gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and teacher—neither superior nor inferior. The gift of a shepherd doesn't mean you are on church staff or preaching on Sunday mornings. It is an innate impulse to love, care for, and offer guidance to those around you.
The Shepherding Impulse
The Greek word that is translated as “pastor” is poimēn, which literally means “shepherd.” This is why various translations use pastor and shepherd interchangeably in Ephesians 4. A shepherd is one who cares for the relational and physical needs of the community. If the apostle is the pioneer pushing toward the horizon, and the prophet is the truth-seeker calling us back to God's heart, the shepherd is the caregiver, protector, and humanizer of the community.
Someone with a shepherding impulse leads not through authority or heavy-handed control, but through nurture, deep love, and protection. Shepherds are the relational glue holding a community together. They possess an intuitive ability to tune into the emotional and spiritual climate of a room. They notice who is sitting quietly in the corner, who is carrying an unspoken burden, and who needs a safe environment to heal, grow, and be understood.
While others might be focused on tomorrow's goals or grand visions, the shepherd is uniquely attuned to the needs of today. They understand that before people can step into their mission, they need to know they are loved, safe, and valued right now.
The Shadow Side
Like every spiritual gift, the shepherding impulse comes with blind spots when left unchecked by the rest of the community.
Because shepherds carry such a profound heart for immediate comfort and emotional safety, they can easily prioritize resolving today's discomfort at the expense of tomorrow's growth. They can become so protective that they shield people from the very challenges, conflicts, and stretching necessary for spiritual maturity.
Furthermore, because shepherds give so much of themselves, they carry a high risk of slipping into codependency. They can easily derive their identity from being needed or hesitate to push people forward out of fear of conflict.
This is why shepherds need the other four voices. They need the apostle to remind them to lead people forward, the prophet to remind them that true love sometimes requires uncomfortable truth, the evangelist to turn their attention outward, and the teacher to keep the community grounded in solid doctrine.
Is This You?
Here are some common characteristics of someone with an shepherding impulse. If these traits resonate with you, you may carry this specific spiritual gifting:
Driven by Love: You operate out of deep, authentic care for people—both individually and collectively.
The Humanizer: You naturally bring warmth, care, and personal connection into systems that might otherwise feel cold or transactional.
Creates Safe Spaces: People easily open up to you because you intuitively understand their burdens without rushing to judge them.
Relational Guardian: You are acutely aware of underlying conflict or division, feeling a strong instinct to guard the flock.
Desire for Connection: You long to see people deeply rooted and known within a healthy community.
Patience with Growth: You naturally see potential in others and are willing to invest long-term, patient effort into their personal development.
Moving Forward
If you carry a shepherding voice, you are the heartbeat of your community. You ensure that as the church moves outward on mission, no one is left behind, forgotten, or broken along the way. Remember that true care doesn't just comfort people where they are—it gently leads them inward and forward toward maturity and purpose in God.
You cannot carry everyone's burdens alone. Lean on the other leaders and voices around you; they will help you challenge people to grow, even when it feels uncomfortable. Your gift of creating safe, loving spaces is what makes the church feel like a family instead of an institution.
