Church growth is not only about strategy—it is about shepherding. Bishop Dag Heward-Mills has long understood that true, lasting growth comes when the flock is properly fed, guided, and guarded. Behind every thriving congregation, there must be a committed shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. That is the heart of Bishop Dag’s ministry. He has always placed the shepherd at the center of church health.
He teaches that every soul added to the church is a soul that must be cared for. Without a shepherd, the sheep will wander. Without guidance, the sheep will scatter. And without feeding, the sheep will starve. That is why he continually trains and raises shepherds—not just in title, but in heart. Men and women who will love the people, visit the people, teach the people, and pray for the people.
In his book The Art of Shepherding, Bishop Dag outlines the call, the work, and the burden of the shepherd. It is not glamorous work, but it is necessary. It is not about standing on a stage—it’s about walking among the people. It’s about knowing them, weeping with them, rejoicing with them, and leading them into green pastures.
Shepherds Who Build with Love and Wisdom
The shepherds in Bishop Dag’s churches are trained not just to preach, but to build. They are taught how to establish relationships, how to follow up, how to counsel, and how to walk with members through every season of life. The growth of the church is not left to chance. It is the result of many shepherds working in unity, under the covering of a vision, and with the compassion of Christ.
These shepherds are not spectators. They are soldiers. They are workers in the harvest field, and they understand that the strength of the church lies in how well the people are cared for. The care of the sheep is what turns visitors into members, and members into disciples.
Bishop Dag’s shepherds are also trained to lead in the Spirit. They do not operate by human wisdom alone. They are taught to intercede, to fast, and to hear from God. They understand that pastoring is a spiritual responsibility, and it requires the presence and power of God. That is why his churches continue to grow—not only in size but in depth. Because the people are shepherded well.
Dag Heward-Mills continues to raise shepherds, not because it’s easy, but because it’s essential. A growing church without shepherds is a growing problem. But a church full of faithful shepherds is a church that will endure every storm and fulfill its call.