Case Study: Jesus as Shepherd Leader
Luke Kuepfer • April 3, 2020
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave us a model for serving leaders in John 10:1-18. First, a good shepherd is trusted by his sheep who know his voice. He enters by the proper channels (gate) and also serves as a gate to the sheepfold (for example, in Israel, sheepfolds were typically rock enclosures that had no door—a shepherd lay down in the doorway at night at risk to his own life to protect the flock from intruders). Like Jesus the Good Shepherd, we should help our flocks find pasture and ensure a high quality of life. Furthermore, we ought to defend our flocks against false shepherds and dangerous predators.
Several other key points to note about serving leaders as shepherds:
- They do not own their sheep...they belong to God. It’s a sacred trust to steward well.
- Shepherd leaders are recognized and followed by their sheep based on a trusting relationship.
- They know their sheep intimately. Flocks are never left alone—they always have an example.
- They lead their sheep to nourishing pastures for daily needs and keep them out of harm’s way.
- Shepherd leaders lay down their lives for their sheep, placing their flock’s well-being and needs above their own.
- They are called and committed to serving, understanding their awesome responsibility.
[Next week we will look at a case study of steward leaders.]
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A long-range (strategic) plan serves as a “road map” to help us achieve the mission and vision that God has given us.
Leaders who develop followers grow their organization only one person at a time. But leaders who develop leaders multiply their growth.
A leader that leads, loves, and serves like Jesus must learn to use their power and influence to serve others and accomplish the mission God has given them.
Wisdom can be defined as having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Wisdom is that character trait that enables one to live an exceptional life.
Decisions reveal the values of a leader and require obedience and dependence on God. They demand wisdom. Making decisions affects just about everything leaders do.
It is one thing for a leader to have a vision; it is quite another thing to be able to effectively communicate that vision to others so that they will embrace and internalize it.
Godly leaders must first have a vision of who God is, the future He holds for them, and a sense of what He has called them to do.
