Shepherding | 9Marks Journal: The Work and Character of a Pastor

The pastor has to wear lots of hats in the course of his work: program-director, administrator, counselor, evangelist, and, at the top of the list, preacher and teacher. Yet in all of this, he is a shepherd. He watches over sheep, principally by concerning himself with their understanding of God’s Word and how it applies to their life together and with outsiders.Many of the pieces of this Journal focus on one biblical phrase or idea from the New Testament about a pastor’s work. Matt Emadi reflects on the requirement for elders to be hospitable, Dan Miller on the command to patience, Aaron Menikoff on the call to holiness, Sam Emadi on what it means to be “able to teach,” and Kevin DeYoung on not being quarrelsome. There’s nothing new, explosive, or headline-making in any of this. But it’s all deep, true, essential, and re-calibrating to your life and work!