Help! I’m New (Part 6): You’re Not Just Doing a Job -You’re Shepherding Souls
- Tony Kensinger
- 14 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Up to this point, we’ve talked about systems, relationships, planning, and navigating church life without losing your mind.
All of that matters.
But before we close this series, we need to talk about something deeper -something that often goes unspoken in job descriptions, staff meetings, and onboarding conversations.
Because whether you were hired as a Kids Director, Student Pastor, Family Ministry Lead, or part-time coordinator…
You didn’t just accept a position.You accepted a spiritual responsibility.
Ministry Is Not Just a Role -It’s a Calling
Ephesians 4:12 tells us that leaders in the church are called:
“to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the body of Christ.”
That’s not a task list. That’s a calling.
Some days it looks like scheduling volunteers. Other days it looks like answering hard questions. And some days it looks like praying with someone whose faith is barely holding together.
You are now part of the spiritual formation of people: kids, students, volunteers, parents, and families.
That weight matters.
Jesus Was Clear About the Role of a Shepherd
After the resurrection, Jesus has a quiet, powerful moment with Peter in John 21.
Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. And three times Jesus responds with instruction:
Feed my lambs.
Take care of my sheep.
Feed my sheep.
Those weren’t poetic words. They were a job description.
Feed My Lambs
These are the kids and students entrusted to you.
Your role is not just to entertain them, manage them, or keep them safe (though those things matter). Your role is to teach them the Word of God in a way they can understand, remember, and live out.
You are helping shape how they see God, often before they have language for their own faith.
That’s holy ground.
Take Care of My Sheep
This is protection and not just physical safety.
Yes, policies and procedures matter. But spiritual protection matters just as much.
You are setting tone. You are modeling character. You are shaping culture.
Your walk with God doesn’t stay private. It spills over.
That’s why Scripture places a greater responsibility on leaders. People don’t just listen to what you say, they watch how you live.
And that’s not meant to intimidate you.It’s meant to remind you that your spiritual health matters.
Feed My Sheep
This is the part many leaders forget.
The “sheep” aren’t just the kids or students.
They’re the volunteers who are tired. The parents who are overwhelmed. The leaders who need encouragement. The families quietly walking through crisis.
You are called to equip, encourage, and spiritually nourish the people around you.
Sometimes that looks like prayer. Sometimes it looks like presence. Sometimes it looks like reminding someone why their serving still matters.
This Is Why Burnout Happens When Calling Gets Lost
Many leaders don’t burn out because they don’t love ministry.
They burn out because ministry becomes only tasks.
When the spiritual center is lost, everything else feels heavier:
meetings feel pointless
conflict feels personal
expectations feel crushing
But when you remember why you’re here—when you remember that you are shepherding souls—even the hard days have meaning.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
If this series has done anything, my hope is that it’s reminded you of two truths:
You are not alone in this.
You were never meant to figure this out by trial and error.
That’s why this Lab exists.
Not to overwhelm you. Not to make you feel behind. But to walk with you through the early days of ministry with clarity, wisdom, and spiritual grounding.
A Final Word of Encouragement
If you’re new and feeling overwhelmed, take a breath. If you’re experienced but quietly unsure, God sees you. If you feel the weight of responsibility, good. That means you care.
You didn’t just get a title.You were entrusted with people.
And God is faithful to equip those He calls.
Next Step If you want the full framework, guidance, and coaching behind this series, the Help, I’m New Lab was built specifically for this season.
You don’t need more luck.You need clarity, support, and spiritual alignment.
And you can do this! We are here to help.
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