In every generation, God raises shepherds—men and women who will not only lead but lay down their lives for the sheep. Jesus described a true shepherd as one who cares deeply, who stays when the wolf comes, and who leads the sheep to green pastures. In the life and ministry of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, we see a clear picture of that kind of shepherd. He is not just a preacher or administrator. He is a true pastor—called by God, moved by compassion, and guided by Scripture.
He has never seen ministry as a profession. It has always been a calling. A call to care, a call to watch, and a call to feed. His book The Art of Shepherding lays out this model clearly. It is not filled with theory—it is filled with wisdom from the field. It teaches that shepherds must know their sheep, love them, protect them, and lead them. And that’s exactly what Bishop Dag has done for decades.
A Shepherd Who Leads by Example
What gives his teachings weight is the life behind them. He is not telling others to do what he himself has not done. His example speaks loudly. From personally following up on members, to sitting through long hours of counseling, to leading church workers in prayer, his life has been poured out for the sake of God’s people.
He is not detached from the flock. Even with the size of his ministry, he still carries the burden of souls. He visits churches, trains pastors, mentors leaders, and constantly reminds them of their duty to the sheep. His schedule may be full, but his heart remains close to the people. That is the heart of a shepherd—one who never forgets that behind every crowd is a soul in need of care.
His shepherding style is marked by patience and persistence. He believes in the long journey. He doesn’t give up on people easily. He teaches his pastors to work with their members through every season—through weakness, failure, and growth. This is how churches are built: not with speed, but with consistency. Not through hype, but through care.
The Fruit of True Shepherding
The fruit of Bishop Dag’s pastoral model is visible everywhere. There are strong churches where members are known by name. There are lay ministers who have been trained to love and lead others. There are shepherds who serve not for a title, but from a heart of compassion. This didn’t happen by accident. It is the result of decades of teaching, discipling, and demonstrating what it means to be a shepherd after God’s heart.
His ministry reminds us that the greatest title a minister can carry is not “apostle” or “bishop,” but “shepherd.” Because at the end of the day, ministry is about people. It’s about feeding the sheep. It’s about watching over them. And it’s about leading them safely into the presence of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
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