Shepherds as Evangelists

[Shervey]

"Evangelism is a natural expression of the shepherd's commitment to the whole flock of God, especially those who have not yet found their true home" (Laniak, 206). Throughout this section, Laniak focuses how Jesus' "persistent compassion" to the religiously marginalized and how he seeks the lost. I found this section of the book encouraging. I was encouraged because in my work as a Navy Chaplain, a large emphasis in my counseling ministry is for people who do not yet believe. Most people I counsel have experienced trauma, feel brokenhearted, marginalized, or are in crisis. They will often come to me for care when they believe they have nowhere else to turn. They are much like the people to whom Jesus ministered; people to whom the shepherds of Israel were supposed to minister (Ezekiel 34).
This ministry can be rewarding, but I am often restricted from fully engaging in biblical counsel because I am in a military setting. This section showed me that even though a different setting may seem more fulfilling, I am ministering as Jesus did. I am exactly where he wants me to be. I am caring for his "lost sheep." While I may not be openly preaching the Gospel, I have become a part of their faith journey. I am planting seeds of faith or cultivating soil in ways that Christ can use to bring his lost sheep home. A mentor told me in my first days as a chaplain that I would do more "planting than harvesting." This passage reoriented me to that truth.
I was challenged by this passage because it reframed my ministry as caring for the lost sheep. The challenge here is to see those I counsel as Jesus does. To be intentional as I care for them and meet their needs as Jesus did. To not let the pressure and busyness in my work diminish my attention and compassion. To remember that I'm doing more than "counseling;" I am ministering to people Jesus cares about. I am helping to lead his lost sheep home.