Michael Shin
In the last two decades, the world has been in acceleration mode with no signs of slowing down. The speed at which we acquire and receive — not absorb — information has increased exponentially. In the last two to three years, AI seems to have slammed the gas pedal, thrusting the world into F1-level speed. In this environment, the appreciation of narratives and long stories seems to be fading, and storytelling is slowly becoming a lost art.
This is unfortunate, because human life and experience are not designed to be lived as an efficient input-output system, but as a long narrative where each piece has a purpose and contributes to the whole. Life narratives are meant to be meditated upon; we are to deliberately slow down to appreciate them, and in reflection, marvel at God’s provision, protection, and providence throughout the story — our life story.
Narratives and stories are also essential in the church. The church consists of God’s salvation story and the unique story of each individual. As Christians, our goal is to make sense of these two stories: what is God’s salvation story in my life story, and how does the former shape the latter? It is only by understanding both stories that Christians can genuinely live out God’s story in their lives, which is in line with Paul’s exhortation to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2), a transformation that enables us to connect the dots between the two stories.
The narrative framework offers a fresh perspective on shepherding. Shepherding then becomes not only equipping and caring for individuals, but also an intentional effort to sit down, listen to each person’s story, and help them make sense of it in the context of God’s salvation story. As one pastor has written, shepherds understand the story of the flock and the story of God, and one of their primary duties is to weave these two stories together so that the flock can recognize God’s story in their own lives. Jesus demonstrated that He knows both stories when He said, “I know my sheep” and “the Father knows me and I know the Father” (John 10:14–15).
So how does this framework work in actual shepherding? The application of the narrative framework, which I have been implementing, can be grouped into three areas: understanding people’s stories, helping people understand God’s story in relation to their own, and creating shared stories together.
Understanding People’s Stories
Jesus took the time to understand people’s stories. He spent three and a half years getting to know the disciples. He stopped and allowed the bleeding woman to express her suffering. Following His example, I try my best to get to know my sheep on a personal level, though this is not always possible. I am curious about what is happening in their daily lives; their personal struggles, what brings them joy and sadness, and what values they hold dear.
What I find compelling about life stories is that no two are the same; each is unique and specific to the individual. Everyone has something they are passionate about, and if given the time and a safe space, they will want to show you the world through their lens. Understanding people’s stories takes time, and not everyone called to shepherd God’s people will be called to do so to the same degree. However, we can remind ourselves: if Jesus spent three and a half years with the disciples, should we not follow His example and invest significant time getting to know the stories of those God has entrusted to us?
Helping People Understand God’s Story in Their Own
Knowing the stories of the sheep is only the first step. The next is helping people understand God’s story in relation to their own. How do we help them make sense of their suffering in light of God’s salvation? How do we help them see their life experiences in the context of God’s purpose for them? These are the kinds of questions that shepherds, with the help of the Holy Spirit, must answer, or guide people in the process of seeking answers. Jesus demonstrated this when He wove God’s story together with the life story of the Samaritan woman at the well. He connected the Gospel to her story of shame, and made her realize her need for living water!
Creating Shared Stories Together
Finally, it is unrealistic for shepherds to connect with every person’s story, because sometimes a person’s experience is so different from our own that we cannot fully comprehend it. If that is the case, how can we still connect their story with God’s story? One of the ways is to create a common story together; ten days on a mission trip with limited resources, planning an outreach and praying together for those in need. It is not their story, nor my story, but our story. From these shared experiences, we can bridge the differences and still help people make sense of God’s story in their lives.
A Word of Encouragement
By the grace of God, I pray that all who are called to be shepherds will see the value of storytelling. It will not be easy, it will be frustrating, and it will take a great deal of time. Yet I firmly believe that as we embark on this journey, God’s grace is sufficient, and He will provide everything we need.
For those who are called to be shepherds, may we resist the pull of efficiency and recover the patient art of listening. May we be the kind of shepherds who know our sheep not by category or need, but by name, by story, and by the specific ways God is at work in each of their lives. It will be well worth it, because no story is as powerful, life-transforming, and loving as the Gospel story, and we long for all to understand it.