When Stephen began talking about these feed more sheep moments, I experienced a mix of emotions. I was excited to hear the stories of so many in our small community, but I also experienced guilt and anxiety. When it came my turn, what would I say? I am in seminary, so I felt that this should be an easy task. But, as I thought about what I would say, I started to question my own sheep-feeding-methods. I was not providing food for the needy; I was not politically active, working hard to abolish oppressive political policies or ideologies. I was not even venturing beyond my own little world, trying to be the love of Christ to those in dire need.
Thankfully, I did not remain in this place of guilt. I was able to move past it, but not by some great effort of my own, it was through the testimonies I heard every Sunday. Hearing Al talk about treating people at Ace the way he believes Jesus would treat them and the way Marian is able to feed sheep through sharing kind words in the midst of stressful situations has carried me through my guilt to a place where I could consider my own calling. These voices have helped me come to grips with the reality that the food I am able to provide may be very different than the food others provide.
So in the midst of learning Hebrew this summer, I began thinking about my particular flavor of sheep-food. The majority of my time was consumed with trying to learn this new language. While my wife will tell you it occasionally sounded like I was weeping from another room, I assure you I was simply sounding out the first eight verses of Genesis in Hebrew. The rest of my time was spent working, spending time with friends or here at church. In the middle of my busy schedule, where was my feed-more-sheep block of time?
Just like the testimonies helped me move through a place of guilt, the testimonies also helped me understand my own particular flavor of sheep food. InAdrian’s testimony, he told us about how he is able to feed more sheep by saying one word: yes. The apparent simplicity of his answer to God’s call helped me understand that my way of feeding more sheep is probably even simpler – I don’t even get to the point of answering God – I simply listen. In studying Scripture, in studying the work of theologians and historians I am doing one thing – listening for the voice of God. But, this listening does not solely subsist in my academic life – I listen for the voice of God in conversations with fellow students, at work with Christian and non-Christian coworkers, in worship on Sunday morning and also in sharing in your lives.
But, if I stop with listening, I know that I wouldn’t really be feeding anyone but myself. I understand that listening for the voice of God necessitates that I pass on what I have heard to others. This passing it on has taken and will take many different forms. Someday I hope to be able to help college students listen for the voice of God through a scholarly study of their faith. Right now it takes the form of conversation and relationship with people in my everyday life. You will not necessarily hear me say, “The Lord said _______ to me last night,” but, do not be surprised when I become ridiculously excited about a particular passage of Scripture or the thoughts of a theologian.
So, my feeding of sheep has two parts – the first part is listening for the voice of God and the second part is repeating that Word as faithfully, and as often, as I can.
September 18, 2026
