WHAT IS SHEPHERD LA?

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We pastors too often find ourselves alone, isolated, overwhelmed, and discouraged. Christ Jesus has called us to our churches in Los Angeles toward healthy worship, joy, love, hope, and mission.

Shepherd LA connects and resources likeminded pastors for healthier LA churches.

We fight against Satan, sin, and worldly lies. We fight for resourced-pastors shepherding healthier churches so that (1) LA is saturated with healthier churches and (2) every resident of Los Angeles hears the gospel of Jesus Christ by a member of a healthy church.

“But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd, [Paul] withdrew from them, taking the disciples, and conducted discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19.9-10, CSB).

“Connecting and resourcing” is through friendships. The greatest resource we can give to fellow pastors is ourselves in meaningful friendship. We can facilitate this through meals, pastor-theologian colloquiums, retreats, conferences, network calls, email groups, pulpit swaps, prayer meetings, video interviews, podcasts, blogging, weekenders, workshops, lunches, etc. 

Goals:

1. IDENTIFY. To clearly identify a group of pastors who are broadly yet meaningfully and joyfully likeminded on the application of the doctrines of God, salvation, and the church as stated in the Shepherd LA foundation statements.
2. CONNECT. To strengthen and support our pastors through events introducing and deepening friendship.
3. SPREAD. To influence other pastors outside the cooperative through friendship and example in order to move their churches toward health.
4. RESOURCE. To provide contexts regularly resourcing pastors with relationships, insights from experience and study, books, and gatherings.