Pastoral Vision (20)

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3.20, 21

Jesus gave the shepherds of His flocks six disciplines to master in making disciples, caring for His sheep, and building His Church. We explain all six of these in our book, Fan into Flame. The first Jesus mentioned was to lead His sheep (Jn. 10.3-5).

Leading the sheep assumes three things. First, that the sheep are willing to be led. This willingness grows from relationships, or as Jesus would put it, from knowing our sheep and being known by them.

Second, shepherds need to know where to lead the sheep, both individually (as disciples) and together (as a church). This entails vision, which we have been exploring for the past 19 installments of this teaching letter. We’ve been listening to some of the great pastors of the past and present to gain insight into the kind of vision we need.

Third, we need to outline a course or path for progress in leading the Lord’s flock. Doing this puts vision into action. Christian educator John Amos Comenius (1592-1670) was a great believer in the power of vision in action, as he wrote in The Great Didactic, “It is an undoubted fact that any man can attain any height that he may desire by means of steps that are properly disposed, sufficient in number, solid, and safe.”

Here is some sound advice for shepherds. First, nurture in learners an expansive and compelling vision of the life of faith. Teach them to think and ask BIG. Second, lay out a course of study and learning that provides a track for progress which the learners can clearly understand. Third, make sure each tie in that track is sure, and that it holds the rails and will carry them to each new stage in their progress and growth. Set clear objectives for each course in the program and work hard to help learners achieve those objectives. Finally, provide encouragement and support at each step of the process.

This is vision in action. This is what the shepherds of God’s flocks need today.

Resources for Shepherds: Fall reading and study groups
We’re trying to do our part in helping God’s shepherds grow in all the skills of shepherding as well as in their love for the Lord and His people. This is why we offer opportunities for men to grow in vision and in the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.

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 at 4:00 Eastern 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..

From the Celtic Revival
One way to spend the Lord’s Day is to contemplate the creation and what we can learn about God from the things He has made. Celtic Christians understood the importance of this:

Understand the creation, if you wish to know the Creator…

  - Columbanus, Sermon I, Irish, 7^th century[1]

Learn to know the Maker from those things that are made in Him and by Him.

­  - Eriugena, Homily on John 1.1-14, Irish, 9^th century[2]

This will be tomorrow’s subject in our Crosfigell teaching letter. It’s part 2 in a 3-part series on Celtic Christian thinking to help us in keeping the Lord’s Day. Check us out tomorrow and Thursday. 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] Walker, p. 65.

[2] Bamford, p. 86.