“The Shepherd Leader examines issues the church desperately needs to consider. We so deeply desire to organize and lead our churches by biblical principles, but can be confused or distracted by secular work or education principles. Now the fine pastor and scholar Tim Witmer brings his long experience of shepherding and close examination of Scripture to bear on the practical questions of leading and training to lead in the local church.”
- Bryan Chapell, President, Covenant Theological Seminary
"Tim Witmer is the faithful shepherd of a growing, urban, multi-ethnic church. In this useful and important book, he explains a biblical, practical model for shepherding ministry in a local church. We plan to use The Shepherd Leader as a primary resource for all of our candidates, interns, elders, and pastors -- our shepherds and shepherds-in-training."
- Phillip Ryken
"The Shepherd Leader is just the kind of book
that those who know Tim Witmer and his work
have been hoping he would write—an intelligent, biblical, balanced, pastoral, sensitive
and realistic exposition of the nature of true
leadership in the Christian church. And there is
a double bonus: this book is as readable as it is
interesting."
- Sinclair B. Ferguson
"Tim Witmer ably guides us into rich pastures
of writing on what it truly means to “shepherd” God’s people. For men called to love
sheep, the results both compel and convict.
For leaders who long to be faithful in the field,
this book offers a wealth of theological and
practical insight.ing about what church leaders should do and, therefore, what they should be. Too many church leaders
perceive of themselves as a “board of directors” when
the Bible is clear that they are to know, feed, lead, and
protect the flock entrusted to their care."
- Dave Harvey, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Covenant Fellowship Church
"At first I read through Tim’s book because I was an elder and interested in pastoral care. I thought it would be a nice reminder of important biblical material – maybe even inspirational. The book certainly reminded and inspired, but it did something even more. Tim wants to shepherd other elders! He lays out the biblical material in a way that is persuasive, he suggests structures that can work in any church context, he maps out the mission of a shepherd, and it’s as if he won’t quit until we are out there shepherding the flock. One moment you are reading a book and the next you are moving toward the flock. So much for relaxing with a good book.
- Dr. Ed Welch, Director of the School of Biblical Counseling, Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation
“Tim Witmer's book could not have come at a better time. So many are "slipping into the darkness" and most of us don't know what to do about it. Now we do! In a Biblical, practical and wise way, Dr. Witmer reminds us, admonishes us and teaches us. Churches all over America will "rise up an call him blessed."
- Steve Brown, Key Life Ministries
"The book is an outstanding presentation of how to engage in effective shepherding in a local congregation. I cannot recommend it too highly.”
- Derek Thomas
