Shepherd Leadership - John Murray's Musings



Shepherd Leadership

By John C. and John F. Murray

In recent years too many pastors and congregations have experienced personally the deep pain associated with what some have called a "leadership crisis" in the church. Some of this pain is the result of pastoral leaders abusing their power and authority in relationship to the church. Some of this pain is the result of individuals or groups of persons within congregations abusing their power and authority in relationship to those called to pastoral leadership. Some of this pain is the result of simple misunderstandings and lack of communication between pastoral leaders and the congregations they serve. These misunderstandings often arise because of differing assumptions regarding the role and style of leadership and authority in the church.

In seeking a healthy relationship between pastor and congregation, many different models of leadership have been explored and implemented. These images range from "servant leadership" to "Chief Executive Officer." Each of these images may offer some helpful insight, but also have pitfalls if pushed to extremes. We believe it would be helpful to pastoral leaders and congregations to reflect together again on the image from which the word "pastor" originates, the image of shepherd leadership.

“Shepherd” is an often used image of leadership in the scriptures. Eight times over in the Old Testament God is declared to be the shepherd of his people. The most familiar of these is Psalm 23. Several other scriptures refer to judges, kings, and prophets as shepherds of God’s people. Jesus claimed this title for himself. He said, “I am the good shepherd of the sheep.”

Many of the qualities that are essential to be a competent shepherd are also important qualities for effective pastors and church leaders. In John 10 Jesus talks about shepherd leadership. In this passage we see ten principles of leadership that are essential to be effective shepherd leaders.

1. Shepherd leaders respect ethical and moral boundaries. Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.” (vs. 1-2) The actions of the shepherd leader are grounded in character rather than personality. Personality is important in building relationships. But personality not grounded in ethical and moral character has destroyed many leaders as they wrongfully cross ethical and moral boundaries. The charisma of personality is hollow without trustworthiness of character. Ethics are statements that define moral boundaries; morality is acting within those boundaries.

2. Shepherd leaders communicate in tones and words that build trust and understanding. “He calls his own sheep by name ... and they follow him because they know his voice” (vs. 4). Shepherd leaders build trust and respect by using words understood by their sheep. Over the years to facilitate communication as Mennonites we have written and adopted confessions of faith. We recommend the 1995 statement, “A Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective,” adopted at Wichita, Kansas. These statements of faith are not dogmas that one must believe to be saved. They are not rules to be followed legalistically. They are designed to help us understand the Scripture and our salvation in Christ Jesus. They also help us speak the same language so that we can understand each other. Good leaders know the value of good communication. Jesus said, “Sheep will run away from a voice that they do not recognize” (vs. 5).

3. Shepherd leaders build open and solid relationships with their people. Jesus said, “I know my sheep and they know me.” (vs. 14) Shepherd leaders and their people know and care about each other’s needs. They share their hunger, their thirst, their wounds, their fears, their joys, their ideas, their concerns, their likes and dislikes. They know each other. Shepherd leaders take time to associate in various ways with their people, all in an effort to build open and solid relationships. One cannot be a good leader and a stranger at the same time for “the sheep will not follow a stranger.” (vs. 5)

4. Shepherd leaders have ownership in the life of the sheep. “The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep.” (vs. 12) Jesus described leaders who have no ownership as thieves and robbers or just hired hands. Leaders whose actions, words and life style do not reflect a personal ownership in and oneness with the values of their sheep undermine their own authority by creating suspicion and distrust in their leadership. A leader’s faithfulness to the values of the sheepfold (the church) builds credibility. Leaders without credibility cannot expect credence in their leadership.

5. Shepherd leaders lead by example. He “leads them out... He goes ahead of them, and they follow him...” (vs. 3-4). Shepherd leaders model the behavior they want to see in their followers. Shepherd leaders know that it is easier to lead sheep than to drive them. Sheep often bolt and run away when they feel forced, coerced and manipulated. But sheep gladly follow shepherds who lead them to pasture, water and the security of the “sheep fold.”

6. Shepherd leaders show a genuine heartfelt concern for the welfare of their sheep. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (vs. 11) There are times when shepherd leaders must sacrifice and adjust their own desires, programs, ideas, and plans for the good of the sheep. Effective leaders know that every method, technique, program and idea will not work equally well in every place and time. They adjust to the situation. The fact that five times over in John 10 Jesus repeated this idea of the shepherd making personal sacrifice on behalf of the sheep emphasizes how strongly Jesus felt about this point.

7. Shepherd leaders care for their followers by providing “pasture.” Jesus said, “He will come in and out, and find pasture.” (vs. 9) “Pasture” is providing the nurture that makes for health, strength and growth of mind, spirit, abilities and relationships. When the pasture is short, sheep will find the smallest hole in the fence to go looking for pasture elsewhere. Shepherds do not so much supply all the food for the sheep, but lead the sheep to the pastures where they are able to find nourishment. In other words good pastors need not have all the answers in themselves. They lead their sheep to appropriate pasture and at times rely on others to help.

8. Shepherd leaders protect their sheep when danger comes. Jesus said, “When he sees the wolf coming he does not abandon the sheep.” (vs. 12) One of the roles of a shepherd leader is to keep watch for that which destroys persons, relationships and productivity. But problems can develop here for shepherds who become so full of paranoia about wolves coming that they neglect the total needs of the sheep. A good shepherd stays with the sheep for both protection and nurture. When sheep feel alone, they become nervous and may even scatter. When sheep scatter it is easy for wolves to divide and devour them.

9. Shepherd leaders expand the horizons of their followers with a mission to the world. Jesus said, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also” (vs. 16) Strong, healthy, growing families, congregations, institutions, businesses will not only be geared to internal needs and local mission but also have a vision for the needs of the world. For the church this means reaching out by offering prayer, people, possessions, money, talents and time. To aid in this mission to the world Mennonite congregations use the arms of Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Central Committee, Mennonite Disaster Service, Mennonite Mutual Aid, the church’s publishing houses and educational institutions, etc.

10. Shepherd leaders desire to develop sheep into fellow shepherds. In the natural realm the sheep remain sheep but in the spiritual realm the true shepherd wants the sheep to become shepherd leaders who call, care, and nurture other sheep. This is the reason Jesus taught his disciples the above principles of shepherd leadership. This is also a point where problems may surface between a pastor, assistants and a congregation. Some reasons for this may be a lack of clearly defined roles, goals, vision, and expectations coupled with poor organizational structure, methods, skills, attitudes and self image.

We believe that other scriptures also speak directly to the current “leadership crisis.” 1 Corinthians 12 calls us to recognize the value of using everyone’s gifts. 1 Corinthians 13 warns us that using our gifts without love destroys the value and effectiveness of our gifts. 1 Peter 5 admonishes the younger to honor and respect their elders, and tells elders, as “shepherds of God’s flock,” don’t “lord it over” the sheep. An inordinate grasping for power and control has destroyed many who could be great shepherd leaders.

We believe, when shepherd leaders act on the above principles of shepherd leadership, their people develop a sense of self-worth, the security of belonging, the joy of participating, an openness to be led to new pasture, and a sense of ownership in and support for final decisions. In this way these principles develop trust in, respect for and goodwill toward leadership, the church and harmony in a congregation.

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