In a time when many pastors are drawn to platforms, lights, and fame, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has remained committed to the quiet, often unseen work of shepherding. He believes—and has taught for decades—that at the core of ministry is not performance, but care. Not popularity, but faithfulness. His book The Art of Shepherding has become a foundational manual for pastors across the world, not because it introduces something new, but because it restores something eternal.
Shepherding 101, as taught by Bishop Dag, is about going back to the basics. It is about caring for people—not just preaching at them, but walking with them, praying for them, visiting them, following up with them, and helping them grow. It’s the simple, scriptural model that Jesus demonstrated. It’s the example of the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one.
Bishop Dag has made it clear that you cannot call yourself a pastor if you do not care. And care is not a feeling—it is an action. His teaching challenges leaders to rise above comfort and convenience and to embrace the true work of shepherding: building relationships, tending to spiritual wounds, protecting the flock from wolves, and teaching the Word with patience and love.
A System that Trains the Heart
What makes Bishop Dag’s approach to shepherding so effective is how practical it is. He doesn’t just inspire leaders—he gives them a system. He trains them to make calls, to conduct visits, to write reports, to follow up on new converts, and to delegate responsibility. His churches are structured so that every member is known, cared for, and included in the life of the church.
Through this, he has built churches that are not just filled with people, but filled with love. They are not just places of worship, but communities of shepherds. Lay pastors are trained to serve like full-time ministers. Ordinary members are discipled into extraordinary servants. And the entire body works together to ensure that no one is left behind.
This shepherding system is one of the key reasons why his churches grow strong and remain healthy. The people are not forgotten. The leaders are not alone. And the ministry does not rest on one man’s shoulders. It is shared, multiplied, and passed down—like a shepherd’s staff from generation to generation.
The vision for Shepherding 101 is not about status—it’s about service. It’s not about talent—it’s about heart. Bishop Dag has shown the world that a shepherd’s job is not to be impressive, but to be present. And in a culture obsessed with visibility, he has quietly taught thousands to love deeply, serve faithfully, and stay hidden in the heart of the flock.
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