SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 3 Jesus explains to the Pharisees that a good shepherd is willing to live sacrificially for his sheep because cares about them. The shepherd and the sheep have a relationship and know each other, the sheep respond to the shepherd's voice even f they are from another flock. Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. ( King James Version, 1987 ) David declares God as his shepherd, meaning he is his leader and because he cares for him, he will want for nothing. He will be provided for, guided, and protected because God will always be with him. John 21:15-19 15  Now when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon,  son  of John, do you  [ a ] love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I  [ b ] love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.”  16  He *said to him again, a second time, “Simon,  son  of John, do you  [ c ] love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I  [ d ] love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”  17  He *said to him the third time, “Simon,  son  of John, do you  [ e ] love Me?” Peter was  [ f ] hurt because He said to him the third time, “Do you  [ g ] love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I  [ h ] love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep. ( New American Standard Bible , 2020) Jesus speaks to Simon Peter asking if he loves him three times in response to each time he denied him. Jesus then restores him and commissions him to feed, take care of, and tend to his sheep. Jeremiah 3:15 Then I will give you shepherds  [ a ] after My own heart, who will feed you knowledge and understanding. ( New American Standard Bible , 2020)

SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 6 Philip Nggada provides a study of the shepherd leadership motif through the African cultural perspective using Psalm 23. The focus of the article is to correct misquotations and misconceptions concerning the meaning of the scripture. As the author navigates through the verses, he presents a view of Psalm 23 that examines how the use of Hebrew poetry invokes feelings and insight. Through this lens, one can see the use of common characteristics of Hebrew poetry including parallelism – repetition – and imagery to convey a more vivid image of God as the shepherd. Nggada provides analysis based on the African understanding of the shepherd motif. It conveys leadership responsibilities and relational affiliations that are culturally typical in many African communities. Averin, A. (2020). Shepherding the flock: Shepherd leadership in multi-cultural environment. In: Huizinga, R., Dean, D. (eds) Organizational Metaphors. Christian Faith Perspectives in Leadership and Business. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3- 030-41712-3_7 Alexander Averin's research provides an intercultural context for the shepherd leadership motif. The author provides an analysis of the motif based on the historical perspective of shepherds from the Old and New Testaments concerning the model presented in John 10. Through this work, Averins explains the motif as Jesus distinguished himself from the leaders of Israel. Jesus explained the shepherding relationship as a reference to how a sheep knows the voice of its master in a cross-cultural dynamic. It was a call to expand the flock without regard to cultural barriers. The author also proposes a modern application of the motif by emphasizing relationships, sacrifice, and communication between the shepherd and his flock. Bernard, G. (2010). The Shepherd, the gate, and the sheep. Human Behavior, Development and

SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 9 Calvin’s Book IV of Institutes of the Christian Religion and how the tenets correlate to the main responsibilities of the shepherd leader to care, have courage, and guide the flock. The author elaborates extensively on the responsibilities so they are understood and can be performed. Thesis Statement While there are many models for Christian leadership, the Shepherd Leadership Motif should be a primary leadership model in the Christian church. As a pastor or leader, a person is there to serve the children of God but must also have authority over the flock to maintain order and be able to train future leaders. The Shepherd leadership motif provides a hybrid of the servant and transformational leadership models where the primary characteristics of servanthood and authority combine as depicted by shepherds in ancient and present times. The role of the shepherd requires one to have a heart or passion for the sheep, one has to care for the sheep sacrificially with the courage to defend them to the death of the shepherd and provide for their well- being. Through research on the shepherd as a leader, we will explore the historical background of the shepherd leadership motif. We will also define the role of the shepherd as a leader as they are characterized in the Old and New Testaments. We will compare the tenets of the servant, shepherd, and transformational leadership styles. Finally, we will explore the benefits of the shepherd leadership motif and how it impacts leaders and followers.