Shepherd's Heart 5/9/25
Dear Good Shepherd,
Years ago, I stood in the back hallway of a church building, clutching my sermon notes like a lifeline. It was my first Sunday preaching in a new setting, and everything inside me whispered, You’re not ready for this. My voice trembled. My hands shook. And I remember whispering a quiet prayer as I walked out: Lord, you’ll have to equip me as I go.
He did.
And He still does.
That’s the beautiful mystery of God’s calling—it rarely begins with our readiness. Instead, it begins with His faithfulness.
As I reflect on the season we’re in as a church, I believe with my whole heart that God is equipping us—not just for what’s ahead, but for what’s already here. This isn’t about filling calendars with more activities. It’s about becoming the kind of church where every person—young and old, seasoned and brand-new—knows they are called, empowered, and equipped for a life of eternal impact.
Ephesians 4 reminds us:
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up..." (Ephesians 4:11-12, NIV)
That’s the vision. That’s Equip.
It means we’re building spaces for you to discover and deepen your spiritual gifts. It means we’re investing in the next generation of leaders. It means we’re taking seriously our calling to walk together—not just on Sundays, but in the everyday rhythms of faith.
Already, we’re seeing this take shape through the upcoming launch of Leadership Community, the formation of Good Shepherd Cohorts, the strengthening of our staff culture, and the growing energy across our church family. It’s happening. And it’s just the beginning.
So let me ask you gently:
What might God be equipping you for in this season?
Where is He nudging you to grow?
What holy assignment has your name on it?
I’m praying that you sense His voice—sometimes loud, sometimes like a whisper.
And I’m praying you’ll say yes.
Because you were made for this.
Because the world needs what you carry.
Because He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
And one more thing, Church—
If we want to be a people who are truly equipped for the calling of Christ, we must be a people of prayer. A praying church is a powerful church—not because of eloquent words or lofty language, but because it lives on its knees in dependence on the Spirit.
So I’m inviting you: join me in praying for Good Shepherd.
Pray for courage to say yes to God’s call.
Pray for the weary and the wandering.
Pray for the next generation.
Pray for boldness and humility.
Pray for revival.
Let’s be the kind of church where our strength comes not from strategy, but from surrender.
Not from hustle, but from holiness.
Not from control, but from communion.
The vision is big. The moment is now. And the power we need will only come from above.
So let’s get low.
Let’s bend our knees.
And let’s ask the Spirit to equip us for everything He’s calling us to.
From my heart,
Pastor Tara Beth
Years ago, I stood in the back hallway of a church building, clutching my sermon notes like a lifeline. It was my first Sunday preaching in a new setting, and everything inside me whispered, You’re not ready for this. My voice trembled. My hands shook. And I remember whispering a quiet prayer as I walked out: Lord, you’ll have to equip me as I go.
He did.
And He still does.
That’s the beautiful mystery of God’s calling—it rarely begins with our readiness. Instead, it begins with His faithfulness.
As I reflect on the season we’re in as a church, I believe with my whole heart that God is equipping us—not just for what’s ahead, but for what’s already here. This isn’t about filling calendars with more activities. It’s about becoming the kind of church where every person—young and old, seasoned and brand-new—knows they are called, empowered, and equipped for a life of eternal impact.
Ephesians 4 reminds us:
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up..." (Ephesians 4:11-12, NIV)
That’s the vision. That’s Equip.
It means we’re building spaces for you to discover and deepen your spiritual gifts. It means we’re investing in the next generation of leaders. It means we’re taking seriously our calling to walk together—not just on Sundays, but in the everyday rhythms of faith.
Already, we’re seeing this take shape through the upcoming launch of Leadership Community, the formation of Good Shepherd Cohorts, the strengthening of our staff culture, and the growing energy across our church family. It’s happening. And it’s just the beginning.
So let me ask you gently:
What might God be equipping you for in this season?
Where is He nudging you to grow?
What holy assignment has your name on it?
I’m praying that you sense His voice—sometimes loud, sometimes like a whisper.
And I’m praying you’ll say yes.
Because you were made for this.
Because the world needs what you carry.
Because He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
And one more thing, Church—
If we want to be a people who are truly equipped for the calling of Christ, we must be a people of prayer. A praying church is a powerful church—not because of eloquent words or lofty language, but because it lives on its knees in dependence on the Spirit.
So I’m inviting you: join me in praying for Good Shepherd.
Pray for courage to say yes to God’s call.
Pray for the weary and the wandering.
Pray for the next generation.
Pray for boldness and humility.
Pray for revival.
Let’s be the kind of church where our strength comes not from strategy, but from surrender.
Not from hustle, but from holiness.
Not from control, but from communion.
The vision is big. The moment is now. And the power we need will only come from above.
So let’s get low.
Let’s bend our knees.
And let’s ask the Spirit to equip us for everything He’s calling us to.
From my heart,
Pastor Tara Beth
Posted in Shepherds Heart