The oversight of souls

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How do you understand pastoral ministry? What is the centre of your calling as a pastor? Is it difficult for your people to speak directly with you? Do you know your sheep? Do they know you? Are you really shepherding God's flock as you have been called to by the Great Shepherd, Jesus himself?

In this book, Ray Van Neste looks to God's Word and church history to show that the oversight of souls is to be the very heart of pastoral ministry. The author of Hebrews writes that congregants are to: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account" (Hebrews 13:17). This guarding, shepherding and watching over souls requires knowledge of and meaningful engagement with the sheep and seeing them as "very dear to us" (1 Thessalonians 2:8), with the goal to "present everyone mature in Christ" (Colossians 1:28).

Caring for people is not just a part of pastoral ministry, it is its heart. Van Neste shows how ministering the Word means not only preaching but privately teaching and exhorting individuals, praying for and with them, knowing them, as Jesus and his disciples both taught and exemplified. Pastors, prepare to be challenged and encouraged-and perhaps refocused-in your ministries!