Pastoral Vision (19)

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11.1

The Spirit of God within us can take us beyond what we’ve ever known or experienced before in the life of faith (Eph. 3.20). This is true for those we serve as well. They may never have envisioned themselves sharing the Gospel with a neighbor, leading a small group Bible study, or being a soul friend with a new believer. But God is able, and the shepherds of the Lord must understand this.

Sometimes all we need to stretch us beyond our present condition in the Lord is someone to show us what or how we may serve Him. This is what Jesus did, as Robert E. Coleman (1928- ) reminds us: “This was the secret of [Jesus’] influence in teaching. He did not ask anyone to do or be anything which first He had not demonstrated in His own life, thereby not only proving its workability, but also its relevance to His mission in life. And this He was able to do because He was constantly with His disciples” (The Master Plan of Evangelism).

This is what the shepherds of God’s flocks must do for those they are equipping as leaders, servants, and witnesses for the Lord. Give them vision. Show them how to live and serve. Take them with you as you go. Call them to go beyond themselves, not in their own power, but in that of the Spirit.

At the same time, live the vision you cast and the life you hold out to them—live it in the power of Christ and His Spirit. Let our ministries of equipping the saints be not just a matter of what we say, but of what we do as well.

Resources for Shepherds: Fall reading and study groups
This fall The Fellowship of Ailbe will offer four group opportunities for men to grow in their vision of the Kingdom of God, all on Zoom and so available to men everywhere.

Beginning in September and meeting every other Thursday afternoon our Men’s Bible Study will scour Ecclesiastes 1-6 for wisdom in serving the Lord in our secular age. Our fall study will meet every other Thursday afternoon, 3:00-4:00 Eastern. Meeting dates are 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14, 12/5, and 12/19. Course materials are free, but you need to register by sending me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On Wednesday afternoons beginning September 18 and meeting every two weeks until December 18, FA Brother Dennis Gagnon and I will take a closer look at the Celtic Revival by studying Thomas Cahill’s book, How the Irish Saved Civilization, together with a closer look at two great Celtic Christian leaders, Patrick and Columbanus. Supplemental materials are free. Register by sending me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Then every fourth Thursday evening we will resume our fall “Kingdom Conversations” on subjects relevant to life in the Kingdom of God. We’ll kick off September 19 at 8:00 Eastern with the question, “Judge the World?” What did Jesus mean by this? Materials for each discussion are free, so email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register.

Finally, Board Chairman Charlie Hammett and I will lead The Lewis Group through Part 1 of God in the Dock. We’ll meet every other Friday at 3:00 Eastern, beginning September 6 and continuing through December 27. Join us in The Lewis Group by sending me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Check out the many free self-study courses available at our Online Learning Page, as well as the more in-depth course offerings at The Ailbe Seminary.

From the Celtic Revival
Celtic Christians knew how to spend the Lord’s Day:

Do not profane the Sabbath of the Son of God, but conduct your business at the proper time. On Sundays meditate on the Scriptures, read them aloud and make copies of them.

  - The Rule of Ciarán, Irish, 7th or 8th century[1]

On Thursday we begin the first of three meditations on Celtic Christians and the Lord’s Day. Some good counsel and plenty of practical suggestions here. Be sure to check Crosfigell at the website on Thursday of this week and Tuesday and Thursday of next week.

Better still, subscribe to Crosfigell and all our other teaching letters by clicking here.

In addition to Crosfigell, we have prepared several free resources to give you a look into the period of the Celtic Revival and to challenge your faith and ministry with the example of our Christian forebears. Click the links below to check out the following free resources:

The Celtic Revival: A Brief Introduction
Living to Rule: An Introduction to Celtic Christian Spirituality
Lives of Irish Saints: A Tribute
Columbanus: A Devotional History
Colum Cille: A Devotional History
Patrick: A Devotional History

T. M. Moore

Support for Pastor to Pastor comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.

And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.

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

[1] Ó Maidín, p. 46.