Abide
Develop the spiritual health, character, and self-awareness required to care for others.
Undershepherd formation
Be trained to care for others well.
A biblically grounded pathway for pastors, ministry leaders, volunteers, counselors, and mature believers who want to help people with wisdom, compassion, and faithfulness.
What is an undershepherd?
A servant who cares under the authority of the Chief Shepherd.
An undershepherd does not replace Christ, the local church, or qualified professional care. An undershepherd learns to listen carefully, apply Scripture faithfully, recognize personal limits, and walk alongside people with humility.
This formation pathway is designed to develop both the heart of a shepherd and the skills needed to care responsibly.
The pathway
Formation before certification.
The goal is not merely to complete lessons. It is to become a trustworthy, biblically grounded person who can help others.
Understand
Build a biblical framework for people, suffering, change, relationships, and hope.
Listen
Learn to ask thoughtful questions, hear the heart, and respond with compassion.
Guide
Practice applying Scripture wisely without giving shallow, hurried, or harmful answers.
Protect
Understand ethics, confidentiality, boundaries, crisis response, and when to refer.
Multiply
Help others grow into healthy disciples who can faithfully care for people around them.
Designed for
People already trusted by others.
- Pastors and ministry staff
- Elders, deacons, and small-group leaders
- Missionaries and church planters
- Biblical counselors and care-team volunteers
- Mature believers called to walk with hurting people
Planned experience
Learning that becomes practice.
- Biblical and theological foundations
- Video teaching and guided reading
- Case studies and practical exercises
- Mentoring and supervised conversations
- Cohort community and ongoing development
Help shape the first cohort
Become part of the founding interest list.
Share your interest and ministry context. You will receive updates as the curriculum, cohort model, and application process are developed.