Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Leadership (03/14/05)
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TITLE: the shepherd | Previous Challenge Entry
By jennifer torvalson
03/19/05 -
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It brings to mind young upstarts with flashy smiles, driving flashy SUVs. Of hungry men sporting designer suits, drinking designer coffee with their cell phone in one hand, the world in the other. The word brings to mind presidents perched upon sleek leather chairs, peering over burgundy oak desks, shuffling papers whilst a token beautiful secretary caters designer coffee back and forth.
What it does not bring to mind is the image of a man modesty attired, padding through the grass, calling sternly but gently to his flock, preparing that which will nourish the flock. It does not bring to mind the man who will seek out the one sheep who has lost his way even at the risk that it has strayed so far that he cannot be found or that he will not return at all.
No, it certainly does not bring to mind the shepherd. And yet the bible teaches us that the leader is the shepherd.
Acts20:28 specifically states that the mantle of overseer, the shepherd of the flock, has been bestowed upon the leaders by the Holy Spirit. According to 1Peter5:2 leaders are to shepherd the flock without compulsion,personal gain and without lording it over the flock. Yes, as leaders, they are to act as shepherds.
Still there is another very important thing to be learned from these scriptures. Something that in today's world with today's temptations can blur the concept of leadership insomuch that today's perception of what a leader is able to weave its fingers into today's church. At which time the cute and cuddly little cub can grow into the "savage wolf that will come among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts20:29).
Unfortunately the leadership is not spared the veritable gauntlet of the worldly woes. I have seen it from a particularly splendid front row seat, sans the popcorn and designer coffee.
The tale begins with a leadership who had a commendable set of personal convictions. Convictions that had been forged through the trials of the men's own lives. Still these men had been in leadership for many years,and had become quite comfortable in those positions. I do believe that these men were operating under the best intent and that they truly believed they had the answers for the best good of their flock. However they did pass their personal convictions on as doctrine.And, as they began to grow more and more stiff-necked in their decisions and judgments an authoritative rule began to slowly emerge over the congregation rather than the servant leadership of a shepherd.
In fact the shepherd's staff that ought to have been used for gentle correction had in its stead became a rigid rod with which to measure obedience and conformity. Indeed the leadership began to sit back and enjoy their position to the point that they left off the duty of shepherd altogether.
Despairingly the sheep were left to forage for themselves and were left to wander at will. The flock was left to seek out and follow after the shepherd.
Sadly the leadership had conformed to the mold that had been crafted so deftly by society. They had knocked on the door of the corporate establishment toting a resume very becoming of the world.
The shepherd spoken of in the bible, demands an utterly different manner of resume. One that would not impress the business executives. This leader demands a very different work ethic.
Some of the qualities outlined in the book of Titus(6-9)are: being above reproach,not rebellious or self-willed,not quick tempered or quarrelsome, not fond of sordid gain,hospitable, a lover of good,sensible,just, devout, self controlled, holding fast to the word, able to exhort and refute.
Plainly this is a most impressive set of expectations, one that bespeaks of remarkable man.
The leaders of the church must leave off the image of the leader's of the world. They must guard themselves against the wolf in beaurocratical clothing, and wear humility in its stead. Ordinary simply will not suffice. They must emulate the shepherd of Titus and be other than ordinary because neither is this an ordinary calling.
According to the aforementioned scriptures, these men are not only to be shepherds, they are under a much higher commission then fortune or country,
they have been called by God himself.
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Some good points made here.