The Day the Shepherd Died: An Allegory on the Pastoral Nature of Authentic Christian Ministry

Looking for a powerful story that doesn’t take long to read? Looking for a different perspective on Christian leadership and ministry? If so, The Day the Shepherd Died is just the book for you! "He knew if he continued in this new way he would never hear the words of the Chief Shepherd again. They were words that moved him deep down in his soul. 'Well done my good and faithful servant.' They were spoken often by the Chief Shepherd when he was following him. They would never be spoken in his direction again . . . UNLESS . . . Jim Warren, author of The Day the Shepherd Died, found himself questioning if he would ever hear those words again. It all started many years ago. Jim had discovered how to impact the lives of troubled youth. It was simple—BE WITH THEM. But soon he was caught up in the whirlwind of building an organization. Soon his passion for the organization out striped his passion for the kids. You see, Jim had spent many years learning modern business practices such as strategic planning, vision/mission statements and administrative processes. Soon that was where his focus turned. Over the years Jim would ask others in vocational Christian leadership why they got started. Most replied they felt called because of a love God had placed in their lives for people. Then he would ask them, “So how much time, outside of meetings, do you spend with individual people who are not other staff members?” Most would hang their heads. They would tell him there never was enough time between sermon preparation, staff meetings and committee meetings. Then he would ask how they helped people learn to shepherd one another. Most would simply talk about Bible studies and sermons they had developed. Jim has written this story for another book he is finishing. However he has been asked to put it out as a single book. While short, those who have read it have found it very powerful. It is Jim’s prayer that this short story will help all followers of Jesus rethink. It is his prayer that it will help each follower of Jesus to reevaluate. It is his prayer that this short story will bring healing—to the shepherds and the flock. It is his prayer that it will turn back the clock—but not to an earlier era of the modern church. It is Jim’s prayer that this short story will turn back the clock to the ministry and process of the Chief Shepherd of the sheep.