Scott Allen A Conversation on Leadership and Shepherding
I’ve found myself thinking an awful lot about Leadership lately. I know there are thousands of books on leadership, but many of these books focus on strategies that are contrary to the form and function of the local church. Most strategies focus on leading through power and control while very few focus on service and sacrifice. Why is that? I think Jesus said it best as he was talking with his disciples about this very thing. In Matthew 20 25-27 he says this,
“But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 26 It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
What does it mean to lead, not through coercian, but through service?
As we start this conversation, I know of no better place to begin than by looking at scripture. We see what kind of leader God is by looking at his Son Jesus Christ and by listening to what he said.
In John chapter 10, Jesus refers to himself as the good shepherd. This is no coincidence. This week, we’ll talk about what it meant to be a shepherd. The main point for today is this, A shepherd was not something someone did…it was who he was. Sheep grew up with this shepherd, they knew his voice and they followed and trusted him. Why? Because he lived with them, cared for them, sheared them and protected them. A person who didn’t know the flock wouldn’t have much luck getting them to mind him…even if he tried to coerce them through force or intimidation. Not many Board room strategies work in the pasture. What does work? Time…patience…and presence. When the sheep get to know the shepherd, they begin to trust…and then they begin to follow.
In your church family…whose voice do you recognize? Whose voice do you trust?
Hopefully God is your shepherd…but he has also placed people here to be his voice and to lead his people as well. Maybe that person is you. if so, will you seek to lead? If so, get ready to serve because God has sheep who need a shepherd!