In the Himalayan mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, Bakarwal shepherds lead their flocks up steep, narrow mountain trails every summer. When a storm hits or the path ahead of them becomes invisible, the sheep naturally begin to panic.
The Bakarwals have a way of helping their sheep during such tumultuous times. They do not drive the sheep from behind with a stick along dangerous cliffs. They walk ahead, calling out in a distinct rhythmic voice. The sheep learn to tune out the roar of the wind and move only toward the sound of the shepherd’s voice.
In the rough terrain of modern ministry, Indian pastors often find themselves navigating similar experiences. Amid cultural opposition, structural pressures, and the constant temptation toward performative leadership, the calling to shepherd God’s flock demands far more than administrative tasks—it requires a distinct, recognisable presence that leads by example.
Centuries before the Bakarwal shepherds ever walked the Himalayan trails, the Apostle Paul gathered the elders of Ephesus on the shores of Miletus (Acts 20:17–38). In his emotional farewell address, Paul recounted his time with the Ephesians from the day he first set foot in Asia until his departure. He offered his own life as an example for them to follow, knowing they would never see him again and that the future of the church depended on their understanding of its nature and purpose.
Here are three key lessons the apostle taught the Ephesian elders—principles that we, as shepherds in India, must heed. These lessons are particularly timeless for church elders and for anyone engaged in ministry.
1. Paul gave his own life as an example to emulate.
Paul’s three-year missionary effort in the city of Ephesus was among the most fruitful periods of his ministry (Acts 19:10), yet his adversaries also made it one of the most difficult.
As Paul was hastening to Jerusalem in the spring of AD 57, his ship stopped at Miletus. From there, he summoned the elders of the church at Ephesus for a final, tearful, and profoundly moving farewell meeting. He shared an intimate relationship with these men, having laboured alongside them for the gospel in their city.
In a culture that often elevates leaders onto unreachable pedestals, Indian shepherds must live among their people, leading lives worthy of imitation.
As they arrived, the first thing Paul reminded them of was what they already knew firsthand about his life and ministry: “You yourselves know” (Acts 20:18). He was pointing to their personal experience with him as their leader and teacher. From day one, his life had provided an example worthy of imitation as he served “the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials” (Acts 20:19).
The apostle knew that those in ministry—especially pastoral ministry—need visible role models. Much of the Christian life is caught by watching others; we imitate people far more than we realise.
Therefore, pastors in India must be living examples to everyone around them: church members, fellow pastors, and the broader community. Like Paul, we ought to leave an indelible mark on people’s lives, giving them a clear pattern to follow even through the difficult seasons of ministry.
In a culture that often elevates leaders onto unreachable pedestals, Indian shepherds must live among their people, leading lives worthy of imitation. True pastoral ministry involves shared life, consistent humility, and personal integrity rather than titles or institutional hierarchy.
2. Paul’s teaching was focused on building up the church.
Paul “did not shrink from declaring. . . anything that was profitable” (Acts 20:20). He did this in both public and private settings as he declared to them “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). In other words, he did not withhold the hard truths of doctrine, nor did he customise his message to avoid backlash.
Paul’s deep conviction about the significance of his calling gave him the boldness to proclaim God’s word to everyone, building a ministry centred not around popular opinion or his own fame, but on the truth of Scripture. Thus, he testified “both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21).
Shepherding churches in India requires perceptive courage. Elders face the dual pressures of social resistance from without and the lure of a watered-down message from within. Faithfulness in pastoral ministry demands preaching the full biblical narrative—repentance, counting the cost, taking up one’s cross, and hope in suffering—even when it comes at a personal price.
3. Paul’s calling was more precious to him than his own life.
Paul then explained his plans to go to Jerusalem and noted that although he was uncertain about what awaited him in the city, he was ready for any eventuality. The reason for this was his total, unrelenting commitment to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and its faithful proclamation. He did not view his life as having value compared to the weighty ministry that the Lord had entrusted to him (Acts 20:22–24).
Eternal purpose—finishing the race—must supersede temporary comfort.
This is vitally important for every pastor in India. We are often anxious about our reputation, social acceptance, ministry opportunities, or the constant threat of persecution. The antidote to these fears is a prudent boldness and an unwavering commitment to the ministry of shepherding entrusted to us by the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:2-4).
For thousands of rural and urban pastors ministering under intense hardship, economic fragility, or social resistance, Paul’s conviction serves as a powerful rallying cry. Eternal purpose—finishing the race—must supersede temporary comfort. With wisdom and discernment, it must even supersede self-preservation.
Like the Bakarwal shepherd whose rhythmic voice brings calmness to the hearts of his sheep, the Indian pastor’s greatest witness is a life that reflects the Chief Shepherd’s heart (Matt. 11:29). When we walk ahead in humility, preach the whole truth of Scripture, and count the gospel worth every risk, the flock learns to tune out the clamour of culture and follow the voice of Christ.
