What type of herder are you?

Recently, some events in our lives got me to thinking about leadership styles.

Some people are goatherds.  They drag their team with them, usually with a lot of effort because the team is so reluctant.



Some people are cowherds.  They let the cows go and come back and get them—sometimes months later—when it is time for them to move again.



Some people are shepherds.  They lead their sheep to where the food is and then hang out with them to make sure they’re okay.



God expected His kings to be shepherds. 
Regarding David we read: “And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’” (2 Samuel 5:2)

Jesus called Himself the good shepherd.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.(John 10:11)

Church leaders are to be shepherds.
It’s not surprising that we call the leaders of our churches pastors. Our English word pastor comes from the Latin pastorem, meaning shepherd.

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:11, 12)

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Sometimes I would rather be a goatherd.  If I drag the flock with me, I can make sure the flock does the job right.

Probably more often, as an introvert, I would rather be a cowherd.  Unengaged with the herd most of the time.  Just letting it do its own thing while I do my own thing.

It takes a lot more effort to be a shepherd.  Building a relationship and trust with the team so that it wants to go with you.  Continually checking in on the team to make sure they have everything they need.

As a leader more by chance than by choice, I need to be reminded occasionally (often?) that I am a shepherd and not a cowherd.  People won’t use those terms, but that is more or less what they are saying.

What kind of herder are you?

Sounds of Christmas-the Shepherd

One of the sounds both Ingrid and I associate with Christmas is that of the bells ringing as the angels twirl around powered by the heat of the candle flames.

This Christmas decor is one of the few things we kept as Christmas memories when we got rid of most of our belongings last year in preparation for moving overseas.  And because we hope to make that move soon, this may be the last time we enjoy the melodic sounds this side of the Pacific Ocean for a while.

As Christmas draws near, we think of the sounds the angels made on that first Christmas as they announced the birth of Jesus to a bunch of rugged shepherds.

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

Luke 2:13, 14 (MSG)


And so this bunch of shepherds leave their sheep to go check out this newborn child lying in a feed trough somewhere in the town of Bethlehem.

Would I have done that?  Would I jettison my tough shepherd image to go see a cute little baby boy?

These shepherds did.  And in so doing they met the ultimate shepherd.  The one who would one day gently lead millions of sheep.

¹⁴ "I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me.
¹⁵ In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary.
¹⁶ You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd.
¹⁷ This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again.
¹⁸ No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father."   John 10:14-18 (MSG)


So as I listen to my Christmas chimes this year, I will remember the good shepherd who was born that day and who leads me today.