Two Roles of Serving Leadership

When we talk about serving leadership we have two roles in mind: shepherd and steward. In the shepherd role, one leads by setting the course and direction; in the steward role, he or she serves by empowering and supporting others in implementing that vision they have chosen to follow and support.

Shepherd leaders set the course, direction, and destination for their sheep. In the context of Biblical geography, shepherds would lead their flock through the wilderness in search of food. The "green pastures of Psalm 23" consisted of small patches of grass springing up in remote desert areas where the shepherd skillfully led his flock. The sheep were dependent on the shepherd for their "daily bread." At night the sheep would be led into a rocky enclosure and the shepherd would lay across the doorway to protect them from wild animals. Study John 10:1-18 for a bigger picture of the shepherd leader.

Serving leaders in their stewarding role realize that they are followers first (also true of Jesus...see John 8:28; 15:10), that they have a responsibility to reproduce and multiply what they have been given. They gain their ability to influence others by first getting their vision from God. By equipping, empowering and serving those entrusted to them, they seek to accomplish their God-given vision by making the world a better place.

Serving leaders cannot expect trust that exceeds their trustworthiness (see John 15:15). The roles of shepherd and steward speak of leaders worth following, because they follow Someone or something of true worth.

[Next week we will look at a leader's responsibility to help others develop their own vision and mission.]