Nope, it’s not an entree at your favorite fast food restaurant. Shepherds' SOUP is a desire that I have to share my heart with other pastors and church staff—a safe place to have conversations. There are some realities that take place in ministry as we proceed through the post-pandemic age. Pastors have more demands on their time than they have time to respond to. I want to develop this ministry to help meet the needs of pastors who are busy, and, like me, do not have time to attend many conferences. My goal is to share thoughts that are somewhat unique to those of us who pursue life as a minister to hurting people. Shepherds' SOUP will be a place for encouragement and positive reinforcement where you are.
I am a pastor’s son who is in his forty-first year of pastoral ministry. Since I was called into the ministry in the Fall of 1982 I have gotten married, graduated from college, graduated from seminary twice, and have raised four children to adulthood. Kim and I celebrated thirty five years of marriage this week! Over that span of time I have experienced wins and losses. I already shared a big win by finding my wife who helps me pursue dreams like this. Some of the losses include being fired from a ministry job and the loss of my mentor and best friend ten years ago. Until ten years ago, I had about all I needed for support as a pastor with a simple phone call or visit with my dad. My goal is to share thoughts that are somewhat unique to those of us who pursue life as a minister to hurting people.
So, here is the SOUP part of Shepherds' SOUP—Sharing Our Unique Purpose. It is a blessing to serve the Lord. However, just like David, we find ourselves singing from a mountaintop one day, and then we find ourselves hiding out, voicing despair from the depths of a cave the next. Let’s join together, and encourage one another to keep on about the task of equipping, encouraging, and exhorting folks to make a difference in a world that needs Jesus.
This is a thumbnail of where I plan to take us in the days ahead. Feel free to drop me a note and make suggestions for future discussions, or let me know how I may pray for you. Keep up the good work of serving the Shepherd of His flock! —Todd