10 years ago was a deep valley I did not see coming. I have never had such a season before or after. Through all the despair came the voice of the Lord, beginning to unravel false theologies and re-teaching me what I had never known before. I was about to embark on a new journey with Christ.

 

Jesus kept speaking to me about being a “Pastor.” For several years I ignored it because I was raised in the Church to believe women could not function as pastors. Fast-forward: I ended up at our church’s “Pastors” gathering. I was just sitting on the back row serving food to the men, and one woman who was brave enough to attend. An older gentleman pastor walked slowly over to me and asked if I knew God’s hand was on me. I began to weep. I was not supposed to be there that weekend. Yet, God had something for me to hear. Still, I didn’t tell a soul. I honestly was wondering if I had begun to really lose my mind. In all honesty, the Holy Spirit was helping me find the mind of Christ.

 

I had not shared with anyone, including my closest friends, what I felt the Lord calling me to. God kept putting the word, pastor, in front of me for several years. Still, I remained like Jonah and kept running.

 

Deep diving into the scriptures I learned better about the NT gifts and appointments and how no one, not even a man, was actually called by the title, “Pastor” in the Word. I found this odd considering we’ve built our church structure on this specific function of leadership, although there are still apostles, prophets, and teachers, which in some areas are never used, acknowledged, or even mentioned.

 

The function of pastoring, or shepherding, means simply to tend and mend. It’s a call to care for the sheep in the way they need. To mirror the Good Shepherd in how He loved well, tended the sick, equipped the disciples, and delivered the captives. It is a very long-suffering function of compassion and tenderness, yet full of truth, to bring one back to the heart of Christ Jesus. It is a constant leading back to Christ.

 

Unfortunately, even this post might incite anger and stir many hateful comments. (Please move along if it does)You would be surprised what this topic brings in the way of persecution for called women. It’s a sad state of affairs indeed. I, however, do understand the dilemma. Even I couldn’t believe it when male pastors were affirming my call. I just couldn’t get beyond my past teachings.

 

Today, I sure do pastor women through valleys into lands of their called inheritance. I did not ask for this job, nor did I initially want it. I don’t carry the title and I don’t pastor a church. I pastor in The Church. You know, the Church that is made up of every born-again believer around the world? Not the one we’ve at times confined to 4 walls. Both are necessary, however, and Jesus welcomes them all. It is His decision after all where, and how, you function as part of His body.

 

In a world in such need of mothering and fathering, healing, and deliverance, every shepherd called by God, male and female, needs to function as such.

 

Get on your post. Not for public accolades or even a paycheck, but because you, indeed, were created for and clearly called by God (not man) to it.

 

I look upon the transformation seen after years now of pastoring. The fruit bears witness, and I am glad I finally surrendered to Jesus rather than man.

 

Whether you are male or female, if God has called you to pastor others, obey. People are counting on your, “YES, LORD.”

 

And listen, you don’t have to call me Pastor Shelly. It’s just not important to me.

 

Just call me a servant.

 

Jesus and I know fully who I am.