The Role of Shepherds

For those of you wondering, "What's a shepherd, anyway?", here's some basics!

A shepherd's main job is to build relationships with the kids through consistency. Talk with them. Learn their names, their likes and dislikes, outside activities, family situations, etc. Find out about their thoughts, and their relationship with Jesus. Ask questions that challenge them to think about God and the world and loving other people. This type of knowledge and familiarity between shepherd and kid doesn't come through an interview, or one conversation. It's built over time, with trust. It's an investment into a child's life, to help guide them into a relationship with Jesus.

But that doesn't mean that shepherds have to have all the answers. Kids ask tons of questions (as I'm sure all of you know...) but it's ok to answer with, "wow! what a great question! I guess we'll have to think about that one", or "I guess we'll have to save that one to ask Jesus when we get to heaven!", or re-pose the question to the entire class for discussion.

Occasionally, a shepherd will have to remind a kid to sit still or to listen, or take a kid to the bathroom. It happens. But these are a shepherd's more minor duties! Shepherds are not crowd-control, they are relationship-builders. So even if there are only four kids there with the teacher, YES we still need to be there getting to know the kids, talking with them, guiding them. It's especially important for shepherds to take advantage of days with small class sizes because that's more one-on-one time with each kid in class! Why pass it up?

A BIG thank you to everyone who is shepherding. It makes a difference. The kids get to know you, they miss you when you aren't around for awhile, the learn from you. You become important to them! If you are interested in shepherding, please contact me at jkgienapp@gmail.com .