The Shepherd - part two

We're unpacking some thoughts based upon ideas from Tim Laniak who writes about the primary biblical image of a leader being a shepherd. He make the point that we have three key roles: leading, feeding and protecting those under our care.

The shepherd as feeder

A shepherd must lead the flock but he must also feed the flock. Whatever our role of leadership from the preaching pastor to a volunteer team leader we're feeding those under our care. Sometimes that feeding is direct teaching from the scriptures if that is our calling and gift, but there is also teaching that comes through the way we lead our teams and the way that we interact with others. Jesus leads us to green pastures and we should be doing likewise with those under our care.

We're called to feed the hearts of our teams by being gracious, kind and affirming in our dealings with them. We feed our teams by reminding them that when they fail there is grace in Jesus more than enough for their failure. We can feed our teams by leading them in prayer and dependence on God's deliverance. We feed our teams when we point them to Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.

Someone once quipped 'You are the only bible some people will read' Hopefully our teams are reading the bible too, but they will learn a lot from how you respond in high stress situations, how you treat your spouse, kids, colleagues and also the so-called 'unimportant' people in life. This is why we're encouraged to be Christ like in the way that we live.

People learn by watching. As as your sheep watch you, may they learn what the heart of the true shepherd, Jesus, is like.