Introduction
When examining the biblical conceptual framework of Christian leadership, one need not look any further than the perfect example of Yeshua in modeling servant and shepherd leadership for all modern disciples to pattern themselves after. As Howell states, “greatness in God’s kingdom consists in imitating the Son of man who came not to be served, but to serve.”[1] The New Testament specifically delineates servant and shepherd leadership. While there is overlap between the two, they are neither in contradiction with one another. Shepherd leadership and servant leadership will be discussed in turn.
Shepherd Leadership
In Christian leadership, the highest recognized title in Christendom is that of a pastor. This is important to note because the terms pastor and shepherd commonly go hand-in-hand. When one thinks of a pastor, they think of a shepherd and vice versa. This widely held conception is because of the Biblical role of a pastor. Berkley and Briggs agree with this assessment. Berkley says that the term pastor is an often-used image of the Lord in Scripture as He used it in reference to His own ministry.[2] He goes on to state,“The pastor is a shepherd of souls, and the sheep are his flock – figures suggesting loving, sacrificial leadership. Both Peter and Paul link this shepherding ministry with the oversight of the Christian churches (Acts 20:28,1 Pet. 2:25).”[3] Briggs likewise conjoins the two terms. He views the shepherd/pastor as intimately and deeply involved with those they lead. There is a strong affective connection between them and their flock where they feel the pains and joys of those they serve.[4] Furthermore, shepherds find God in community; they love to be around people. Because of this, people easily trust them, knowing they will be heard, respected, and loved.”[5] Although there is a general consensus on the intertwining of the terms pastor and shepherd, Malphurs appears to dissent because he understands the term shepherd to be referring to leadership in general.[6] As he sees it, “the term shepherd is a general reference to leadership… and all three functions (protecting, teaching, and directing) come under shepherding or leadership.”[7] According to this understanding, while shepherding is mainly attached to pastoring, it may at least at times refer to Christian leadership in general.
After seeing that the terms pastor and shepherd are Biblically intertwined and that it is relevant for understanding the role of a shepherd, attention will now be directed at defining that role. “Shepherds exist to protect and provide. This is important, and it reveals to us one of the major themes of Christian leadership. Shepherds protect the sheep from evil and provide life-giving resources for the sheep,” Forrest and Roden state as the primary responsibilities of the shepherd.[8] Briggs adds, “Elders have the responsibility to shepherd the congregation well, an authority given by God himself.”[9] While he directs that statement at elders, it is obviously applicable to all spiritual leaders, including pastors. He goes on to delineate two ways that elders [spiritual leaders] are to exercise oversight as shepherds. Briefly stated, the first deals with “protection, guidance, instruction and presence among the people God has called them to serve. Spiritual oversight is evidenced through a marked commitment to prayer and intercession for and with the congregation, providing church discipline when necessary, clarifying doctrinal stances and cultivating God’s mission. It also includes oversight of each other as elders.”[10] The second form of oversight that Briggs delineates pertains to the organizational aspects of the church. Specifically, he mentions budget, personnel, and facilities.[11]
In Leadership Explosion, in association with shepherding, Comiskey discusses an alternative approach to the traditional pastor-shepherd role.[12] The rancher role, which is essential for cell churches to be functional and primed for growth, is championed over the traditional shepherd role. While the Scriptural concept of a shepherd is more so directed at not merely a role but also a disposition of the Christian leader, the still prevailing image of a shepherd is one that centralizes all or most of the responsibilities for feeding and protection of the flock on themselves at usually the expense of developing more leaders. So, while retaining the Scriptural concept and heart of a shepherd, current leaders would be prudent to consider and take on a role of a rancher. This is recommended because the rancher spends more time identifying and training leaders, delegating, and overseeing small groups where the church members are primarily ministered to (feed) and cared for.[13] This is important because shepherding needs to go beyond protection and teaching. It needs to encompass training and organization that enables the church body to grow.
These discussions on shepherding are to illustrate not only a particular posture but also practical things that the shepherd is called to dutifully perform for the sake of the flock. It is more than just a disposition and emotional connection with the flock. The manifestations from a shepherd must transcend merely affective relations with the flock to also include protection, feeding [teaching], correction, discipline, training, and organizational development and care for the expansion of the church.
The next and final post on shepherd and servant leadership will explore servant leadership and offer concluding remarks on both types of leadership.
[1]. Don N. Howell Jr. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership. (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2003), 189. [2]. Berkley, James D., ed. Leadership Handbook of Management & Administration. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2007), 132. [3]. Ibid., 132. [4]. J. R. Briggs and Bob Hyatt. Eldership and the Mission of God: Equipping Teams for Faithful Church Leadership. (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2015), 121. [5]. Ibid., 121. [6]. Aubrey Malphurs. Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003), 26-28. [7]. Ibid., 28. [8]. Benjamin K. Forrest and Chet Roden, eds. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader. (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2017), 516. [9]. Briggs, 65. [10]. Ibid., 43. [11]. Ibid. [12]. Joel Comiskey. Leadership Explosion: Multiplying Small Group Leaders to Reap the Harvest. (Moreno Valley, CA: CCS Publishing 2008), 87. [13]. Ibid, 87.
Comments