Matt Bird is the Founder of PublishU, an international publishing house that helps first-time and serial non-fiction authorswrite,publishandmarkettheir booksworldwide.
u b l i s h U
Welcome to this edition of the PublishU Magazine featuring Dawn Walker and her insightfulnewbook,SheepdogtoShepherd.
Drawing from her lived experience as a banker, mother, wife and church leader, Dawn shares her unexpected journey into pastoral care. She beautifully explores the contrast between a results-driven change managerwhomovespeoplelikeasheepdog and a compassionate leader who walks alongsidethemasashepherd.
Her message encourages us to recognise the sovereign thread of preparation running through our lives and see how we are unexpectedlypreparedfornewhorizons.
We are proud to share Dawn's inspiring leadership perspective and message with you.
AROLESHENEVER SAWCOMING
Interview wit authorofShee
You're a bank andanauthor.Wheredoyoufit inthewriting?
It's normally late and into the early hours and over weekends. But I think my role within the church and my pastoral activities create the opportunity for me to write about what my lived experienceactuallyis.
Where does this drive to write come
Well, interestingly, over the last 10 years, I have preached many sermons and I write them in long form. And more recently, in fact, itwasthebeginningoflastyear,I just thought it would be a good idea just to start writing some of these down. And in particular, thislatestbookismoreaboutmy journey to becoming a church leader rather than what I've preached upon. So I've got 10 yearsʼ worth of backlog of sermons comefrom,Dawn?
sermons that I could turn into books. And that's why I've got quiteanamounttowrite.
Last year, I was approached to take on the pastoral care of a church because the current pastorswereexpectingtoretire.I hadn't anticipated that invitation, even though I was actively preaching and leading ministries. My first gut reaction was, I am more sheepdog than I am shepherd. I work in change management, so I am driven, focused on results and moving things forward. But that's very sheepdog. So sheepdog moves people, shepherds walk with people. I've had to learn how to come out of that lens into shepherding, which is an entirely different concept. It's really been me looking back and processing my journey that has made me ready to take on more of that shepherdingroleatthistime.
Can you share one important principletobeashepherd?
One thing I didn't anticipate in pastoral care is what to do with naughtysheep.It'sactuallyinthe Bible, in Ezekiel, which talks about sheep that trample on the pastureandotherscan'teatfrom .
I think it's going to help express my journey in terms of leadership. But moreover than that,Iwantpeopletounderstand thatthereisthissovereignthread througheverybody'slife,thatyou arebeingpreparedforsomething that maybe you didn't see on your horizon. I've called it sovereign serendipity. Don't rule out anything that God is asking you to do. You'll find yourself unexpectedly prepared for it, whether that's ministry or somethingelseinlife. What'syourhopeforthisbook? it. That became my frame of reference for understanding my flock,andhelpingthemmoveout ofthatpositionthroughcoaching, mentoringorpastoralcare.
There comes a moment for many people, sometimes quietly and sometimes persistently, when a thought begins to surface…Ihaveabookinme.
It may be a story you have lived, a lesson you have learned or a message you feel called to share, something that could encourage, guide or change the life of someoneelse.Andyet,formany,itremains unwritten, held back by doubt, uncertainty ornotknowingwheretobegin.
With the right structure, support and encouragement, what once felt overwhelming becomes achievable, even enjoyable.
That is why PublishU exists, to walk with you from idea to manuscript, from manuscript to book, and from book to opportunities.
“Very simply put, if it was not for the ‘Writing My Bookʼ course, my book wouldstillbeanideaasit had been for the past seven years. The methodology, approach, clarity and coaching that Matt provides is truly exceptionalanditworks.ˮ
SamiAwad
“I am so glad I signed up for the ‘Writing My Bookʼ course! With its really insightful training, a wellstructured programme, and the right balance of encouragement and persuasion, it has helped me to finally get down to writing the book that has been on my heart for a longtime!ˮ
CathyWheeler
“ThePublishU‘WritingMy Bookʼcourseisfullofboth encouragement and empowerment to enable aspiring authors to achievetheirgoals.ˮ
