The Necessary Work of Character Development for Pastors

What can pastors learn about their own character development from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount? What are you doing to become more like Jesus?

By Steven Blake

Reviewing Shepherding Like Jesus: Returning to the Wild Idea That Character Matters in Ministry, two questions came to mind. “Why me? I’m just a small church pastor.” And the second question: “What if I don’t like the book?” It would be difficult to know how to write the review knowing it might impact someone else’s reading of it.

I’ve been in ministry for 40 years, mostly in a small church setting. And most churches have fewer than 100 people in attendance. So, I read this book asking myself, “Will it apply to the minister regardless of the size of his congregation?” As I finished reading the book I didn’t need to be concerned any further with my second question concerning whether it would warrant a bad review. I have two books in my library that I read each year for encouragement in my life—Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby and The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. I now have a third.

“I have two books in my library that I read each year for encouragement in my life—Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby and The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. I now have a third, Shepherding Like Jesus.” — @stevenblake Share on X

Although currently pastoring a larger congregation in Texas, Andrew Hébert, author of Shepherding Like Jesus, was seasoned as a small church pastor. So, he knows the struggles pastors face whether in a small or large fellowship. Hébert’s inspiration for writing this book came from the belief that every pastor needs to read a book that addresses a minister’s character at a rudimentary level and developed out of the continuing personal challenge of his own growth in ministry.

Becoming like Jesus

Hébert takes a unique perspective, applying the words of Jesus Himself to a shepherd’s character in pastoring his people. This book is written based on the lessons Hébert has learned from the master Teacher Himself in His most famous teaching, the Sermon on the Mount—particularly the Beatitudes.

Jimmy Draper states it well in his forward to the book: “In other words, character really matters. The pastor cannot make it for God until he is real with God!”

Upholding the passage in its context, Hébert applies the lessons Jesus sought to teach the disciples to the character development of not only Jesus’s original hearer but also to those of us who would later read His words. In particular, Hébert is addressing the minister and his character development—becoming like Jesus.

Learning from the Beatitudes

Hébert takes readers on a journey through Matthew 5:3-12, discussing each character trait chapter by chapter, beginning with our own salvation and leading to the place of endurance in ministry.

He adds a unique perspective to each chapter by including a “Pastoral Reflection.” These portions are written by various pastors who have been examples to him by their own character in life and ministry. He includes the reflections from not only well-known men in ministry whose names we recognize like Draper, Mac Brunson, Michael Catt, and Clint Pressley but also ones we have possibly never known before reading this book.

“The pastor cannot make it for God until he is real with God!” — Jimmy Draper Share on X

In the following chapters, Hébert discusses the character traits pastors ought to develop from the Beatitudes as well as how these traits should affect our roles as shepherds to our people and the community. Hébert doesn’t just give positive examples from his life and others’ but also shares his shortcomings and how he’s learned from them, making him a better minister and shepherd to his church. He also gives practical insights on how to apply these traits to our lives.

Shepherding Like Jesus

I would’ve liked to have seen Hébert further develop the link he suggested between the Beatitudes and the rest of the Sermon on the Mount. That section left me wanting more. Perhaps he might write a follow up book on the subject.

I interact with a number of younger ministers on an almost weekly basis. I learn from them probably more than they do from me. Yet when I have the opportunity, I will recommend books that will help them with the challenges they’ll face in ministry and family life. I don’t take these recommendations lightly. I only suggest books for their reading I believe will better help them as they grow in their roles as shepherds, husbands, and fathers. This is one I feel should be an addition to their library, as it deals with the most important element in a minister’s life—character.

For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.