In many places today, the pastoral office has been misunderstood or neglected. Leadership has been reduced to administration, and pastoring has been confused with performance. But through the ministry of Dag Heward-Mills, God has restored to the Church a clear, biblical vision of what it means to be a shepherd. Not just a preacher, not just a leader—but a shepherd, after God’s own heart.
Bishop Dag has never allowed the pressures of growth or popularity to replace the call to care for people. His ministry has grown wide, but it has also gone deep. And at every stage, he has maintained the posture of a shepherd—feeding the flock, knowing the sheep, and leading with tenderness and strength.
He teaches that pastoring is not about public moments—it is about private responsibilities. The late-night calls, the hospital visits, the quiet prayers over members’ names, the counseling, the correction, and the commitment to walk with people through every season. This is the ministry of a shepherd. It is the ministry that Jesus Himself modeled. And Bishop Dag has followed that model without compromise.
Teaching the Art of Shepherding
One of the most impactful aspects of Bishop Dag’s work is how he has trained thousands of others to shepherd well. His book The Art of Shepherding has become a manual for pastors and lay leaders around the world. In it, he breaks down the daily, spiritual, and emotional work of caring for God’s people. He teaches about watching over souls, warning the wayward, binding up the broken, and leading the hungry to green pastures.
He does not present shepherding as an easy task. He is honest about the weight, the warfare, and the weariness that sometimes come. But he also points to the reward. The joy of seeing people grow. The privilege of being trusted by God with His sheep. The beauty of seeing lives transformed through faithful, loving care.
His churches are full of shepherds—men and women who have been taught that ministry is about people, not platforms. They don’t just host services—they pastor souls. They don’t just preach—they follow up. They don’t just lead—they love. This is the fruit of a father who has made shepherding the foundation of ministry.
In a time where titles are exalted and crowds are celebrated, Bishop Dag continues to raise shepherds who walk with humility, serve with joy, and carry the burden of souls with grace. He reminds the Church that Jesus is still the Good Shepherd—and those who serve Him must follow His example.
Through his teaching and personal life, Dag Heward-Mills has restored honor to the pastoral calling. He has shown that pastoring is not a stepping stone—it is a sacred assignment. It is not for convenience—it is for covenant. And because he has lived it, a generation now rises with the same heart.