Shepherd Leadership Analysis

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SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 1 Shepherd Leadership Analysis Danita R. Davis School of Divinity, Liberty University Author Note Danita R. Davis I have no known conflict of interest to disclose. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Danita R. Davis. Email: dvaughan6@liberty.edu

SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 2 Scriptural Basis for Shepherd Leadership Abel was identified as a shepherd in Genesis 4:2, unlike some views of shepherds this position was associated with one’s wealth. According to the ATS i Bible Dictionary, “a large part of the wealth of ancient patriarchs consisted in flocks and herds.” (Biblehub.com) This was not a role where gender was a factor, Rachel the wife of Jacob was a shepherdess. This position was shared among siblings as well as servants. There are scriptural references that support the shepherd leadership motif as being authoritative and in service to God and his flock. The role of the shepherd has always been vital for the survival of the sheep. Jeremiah 3:15 submits that God will give us shepherds (NASB) ii or pastors (KJV) iii after his own heart. This means that God will provide and approve leaders capable of enhancing an individual’s personal and spiritual growth in knowledge and understanding of the truths of scripture and the ordinances of the Bible to be able to administer them. (Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible) According to biblical commentaries by Gill, Ellicott, and Matthew Henry iv , the prophecy given in Ezekiel 34:23-24 God uses the name David to denote the lineage of Jesus, as David had previously deceased. In this scripture, it is affirmed that God appoints the Messiah as the shepherd, his servant and that he would still be their God. This was a foretelling of the role the Messiah would have in the kingdom of God. It was the shepherd's job to protect and provide for the sheep regardless of social status. As we delve into Psalm 23, David appears to reminisce on his younger days as a shepherd. He takes a reflective look at his life as he dwells on his days as a shepherd and how God as his shepherd provided what was necessary for his survival and that of the flock. Further study of this passage concludes that the Great Shepherd of our souls was sent to provide, care for, instruct, anoint, and protect the sheep from evil. This passage also speaks of the rod and staff which are typical tools of a

SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 3 shepherd. These were used for protection and gathering. As David says “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” in verse 4, he recollects the protection of God. The rod and staff provide protection and correction. While studying Psalm 23, John 10:11-16 further provides more understanding of the work of the good shepherd. Referencing the work of the shepherds Jesus presents to the Pharisees that a good shepherd is willing to lay down their life for the sheep. He explained the differences between and hired hand and a true shepherd. He further engaged with them to ensure they understood that the sheep knew and responded to the voice of their shepherd. The only way this can happen is to know them or to have familiarity with the shepherd. By reading how Jesus admonished the shepherds over Israel and Juda who went away from their original purpose to protect and guide to ruling over them. The shepherds of Israel were viewed as rulers and gods which was not the task. God was the Lord of Israel and only he could rule the people. “The kings of Israel were never to present themselves as royal owners of the flock.” (Wilder & James, 2011) As we look at Ezekiel 34, we see the Kings of Israel and Judah failed to feed God’s flock. God’s design was that “the kings were under-shepherds. Like shepherds in the field tending the flock of a higher lord, the kings were responsible to live among their subjects, to guide them and to guard them for God’s glory.” (Wilder & Jones, 2011) Based on many writings about shepherd leadership one can deduce that this motif is commonly used in the Bible to help others understand the nature of Jesus' relationship to his followers. To be a shepherd one must feed the sheep. This calls for the shepherd or pastor to teach them what God has given them to know. There are times the pastor will even have to naturally feed the sheep, and then teach them. As in John 21:15-19 where Jesus was speaking to Simon Peter and gave him three commands each following the question, do you love me? In

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SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 4 verse 15 he says, “Feed my lambs.” In verse 16 he tells Peter, “Feed my sheep.” And finally, in verse 17 he tells him again, “Feed my sheep.” “Pastoral leadership is rooted in the responsibility of living as an under-shepherd with eyes fixed on the Chief Shepherd.” (Wilder & Jones, 2011) Shepherds are responsible for guarding the flock, unlike the rulers of Israel in Ezekiel 34 who chose to eat from the flock causing them to scatter and become prey for other animals. The role of the shepherd is to protect the sheep both physically and spiritually. Shepherd leaders are called to be sacrificial in service among the people. As Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in John 11, he admonished them saying, “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” ( King James Version , 1987) Christ as the good shepherd did just that. In his resurrection, he called Peter to follow him until his death. In John 21:18-19, Peter is inquiring what type of death he should experience in that God would be glorified. Peter as an undershepherd of Jesus was to follow Jesus and feed his sheep. Shepherd leaders understand their role as authoritarian and servant. They led from among the people, not lording over them. “Shepherd leaders live among their people and pay “careful attention…to all the flock.” (Wilder & Jones, 2011) John 10 provides a necessary comparison of the shepherds in Israel and Jesus’ model of the good shepherd. The stark contrast between the behavior of Jesus healing the man born blind to that of the response of the Pharisees in John 9 is used as a starting point for John 10 where Jesus makes his “I am” statements. In verses 7 & 9 Jesus says, “I am the door.” In verses 11 & 14 he states, “I am the good shepherd.” ( King James Version, 1987) Jesus’ parable of the good shepherd focused on the caring nature of the shepherd. (Bernard, 2010)

SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 5 Tom Carson as a shepherd leader As one considers the characteristics of a shepherd leader, the first thoughts may go to Jesus, David, and Moses. They were indeed shepherd leaders. However if one considers more modern leaders in this vane, they may consider their pastor or other pastors they’ve known. Many have attempted to embody the example Jesus lived, Tom Carson was one such “ordinary pastor.” He was a shepherd to many including his churches and family. He was an ordinary man who loved his wife Marj and his family. He was bold in his stance on Christianity amid a land loyal to Roman Catholicism. Throughout his ministry, one can see that he had no fear in spreading the gospel by going door to door providing tracts about baptism and salvation. The commitment to go door to door in certain communities was a dangerous task that could result in violence, but he stood fast in his resolve. One can see the characteristics of a shepherd leader in the life of Tom Carson. His dedication to the church and its members was exemplified through his many visitations to homes for prayer, counseling, and ministry to build the body of Christ. He spent hours in study in preparation for his sermons and even witnessing. Even through all this Tom was much like Apostle Paul he was highly critical of his prowess as a pastor, preacher, and husband. Through his doubts he still ministered, he journaled his thoughts on his sins and what he perceived as personal failures. Tom Carson cared for the flocks he was appointed over and prayed for their growth. He ministered, looked over the flock, sheltered the flock, and fed the flock with. Knowledge and understanding while giving sacrificial service. Tom Carson was always willing to serve in the capacities he was needed, taking on roles as interim pastor and serving on various committees he felt were important for the growth of the Christian church in Canada. He walked in authority as a leader and pastor but “had a remarkably tender conscience.” (Carson,2008, p.

SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 6 94) One such occasion was the decision to leave the Union and inform the churches who had pledged money to purchase a new building of what was happening. This had a major impact, but he held on to truth for the good of the body of Christ. He sacrificed his reputation and well-being for the church. Regardless of his church responsibilities he never ignored the needs of his wife or family. He was present in their lives, spending valuable time with them talking or even playing games with them outside. In his later years, he was far more reflective as became the caretaker for his wife as she battled dementia and Alzheimer’s. He wished he had done more to help once he realized the volume, she carried so he could pursue pastorship. Although he journaled many things there were others, he did not mention which is typical for one who is truly in the work of leading like Jesus with love and compassion for others. He was faithful to God, his family, and those he led. From the reading, we can see that he was caring and even daring when it came to winning souls to the kingdom of God. He left a positive reflection on his children as they lived through the experiences and struggles associated with pastorship and church planting. When Tom Carson departed this life for the next, there was no fanfare he was alone but as in 2 Corinthians 5:8 he was “willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” His son Don stated it best, “Dad won entrance to the only throne room that matters, not because he was a good man or a great man – he was, after all, a most ordinary pastor – but because he was a forgiven man.” (Carson, 2008, p. 148)

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SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 7

SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP 8 References American Tract Society Dictionary. New York, American Tract Society [c1859] Rand, W. W. (William Wilberforce), 1816-1909, ed. https://biblehub.com/dictionary/amtract.htm Carson, D. A. (2008). Memoirs of an ordinary pastor (1st ed.). Crossway. Gills Exposition on the Entire Bible. BibleHub website. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/psalms/23.htm King James Version. (1987). https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/King-James-Version-KJV- Bible/ Wilder, M. S., & Jones, T. P. (2011) Life as a shepherd leader. https://equip.sbts.edu/article/life- as-a-shepherd-leader/

i American Tract Society ii New American Standard Bible iii King James Version iv Gill’s Exposition on the Entire Bible, Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, and Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

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