Does the church need leadership?
It’s God’s church.
Jesus is the head.
And we, as pastors, are called to “shepherd the flock,” right? Not lead, but pastor. Shepherd.
What if we have a massive misunderstanding of shepherding, though?
Shepherding Your Church
Jesus and other biblical authors use shepherds to describe the role of leading and caring for their congregations. In their context, everyone understood the role of a shepherd. Not so much today, though.
It’s easy to think of a shepherd as a man watching over their sheep. Not necessarily leading them but caring for them. Maybe petting them. Sitting with them. Visiting them in the hospital. Performing a sheep funeral.
Shepherds certainly do care for sheep. But they lead their flock, too.
How Shepherds Lead
Shepherding isn’t a passive role. Not even close. Shepherds lead their sheep directly and skillfully through:
- Voice Commands and Sounds: Shepherds often use specific calls, whistles, or verbal commands that the sheep recognize and respond to. Different whistle tones or patterns can signal different actions, such as moving forward, stopping, or gathering together.
- Leading by Example: Sometimes, a bell sheep, which the others are accustomed to following, is used. The shepherd attaches a bell to this sheep, and as it moves, the sound encourages the rest of the flock to follow.
- Physical Presence: Shepherds often lead the sheep by walking in front of them, showing them the path to follow. They also use a staff or crook to gently guide and steer individual sheep, especially those that stray from the group.
- Food and Water: Providing food or calling the sheep to a feeding area encourages them to follow. Similarly, leading them to water sources can guide their movement.
- Control Points: Strategic use of gates and temporary fencing can funnel the sheep in the desired direction.
- Routine and Familiarity: Sheep often follow familiar routes, so shepherds establish regular pathways for moving the flock.
- Consistent Routine: Keeping a consistent daily routine helps sheep know what to expect and follow more readily.
- Calm Demeanor: Sheep are sensitive to stress and anxiety. A calm, patient demeanor from the shepherd helps keep the flock relaxed and more manageable.
- Safety and Protection: By leading the sheep to safe areas and protecting them from predators, the shepherd earns the trust of the flock, making them more willing to follow.
- Experience and Skill: Experienced shepherds understand sheep behavior and can anticipate and manage their movements effectively. Skilled shepherds also adapt their techniques to changing weather, terrain, and the needs of the flock.
Leading sheep requires a combination of knowledge, skill, and patience. If you’re ever tempted to believe shepherding your church is a non-leadership role, please reconsider. Your church belongs to God, Jesus is the head, and you are placed in your position as the local leader.
Applying Shepherding Skills to Pastoral Leadership
Your church needs you to be a shepherd leader, not a passive caregiver. Here are a few suggestions on how you can follow the leadership example of a shepherd:
Voice Commands and Sounds
- Effective Communication: Use clear and consistent messaging in sermons, emails, and announcements. Develop a recognizable and authoritative voice that members can trust and follow.
- Distinct Brands, Names, and Steps: Establish specific names for steps and brands for environments for consistency.
- Practical Example: Ensure your sermons are clear, relatable, and applicable. Send weekly email updates with important information and encouragement. Name your volunteers the “dream team” or something recognizable and desirable.
Leading by Example
- Be a Role Model: Live out the values and principles you preach. Show integrity, kindness, and dedication in all your actions.
- Highlight Key Leaders: Identify and empower key leaders within the congregation who exemplify the church’s values, encouraging others to follow their lead.
- Practical Example: Lead by example in community service projects. Share your faith journey and personal testimony to connect with the congregation. Share stories of volunteers or church members living out the church’s values.
Physical Presence
- Be Visible: Regularly attend and participate in church events, community activities, and social gatherings.
- Personal Touch: Use personal interactions and physical presence to guide and support individuals, especially those who are struggling or new to the faith.
- Practical Example: Maintain regular office hours for counseling and meetings. Be active and engaged in church and community events. Be fully present when you are with people.
Food and Water
- Quality Teaching: Provide spiritual nourishment through sermons, Bible studies, and devotional materials.
- Sacraments: Regularly administer sacraments like communion, which are vital for spiritual growth and community bonding.
- Practical Example: Offer various groups catering to different levels of faith. Provide daily or weekly devotional resources for personal growth. (NOTE: I offer several new AI tools to help you do this well.)
Control Points
- Structured Programs: Develop structured programs and small groups as steps that guide spiritual growth and community involvement.
- Gatekeeping: Use classes and other control points to ensure newcomers are correctly integrated and understand the church’s values and expectations.
- Practical Example: Regularly offer membership classes to integrate new members into the church. Clearly articulate the church’s vision and strategic goals. Several churches I work with host a monthly “Discover [Church Name]” dinner for newcomers.
Familiarity
- Regular Services: Maintain familiarity in and around your church services. Ensure the service is predictably excellent and in keeping with your mission and vision.
- Annual Traditions: Establish and maintain yearly events and traditions that create a sense of community and belonging.
- Practical Example: Design a service flow allowing unpredictable elements (music, fun, interviews, etc.) that always follow the predictable mission or vision. Create predictable student camps and married events.
Consistent Routine
- Daily Routines: Implement consistent routines for church activities, staff meetings, and ministry programs. Maintain consistent worship service schedules and formats for stability and familiarity.
- Reliable Patterns: Keep consistent office hours and predictable schedules for pastoral care, making it easy for members to know when and how to reach you. Establish and maintain yearly events and traditions that create a sense of community and belonging.
- Practical Example: Keep a consistent schedule for worship services. Plan and communicate an annual church calendar with key events and activities.
Calm Demeanor
- Peaceful Leadership: Approach challenges and crises calmly and confidently, providing a steadying influence.
- Conflict Resolution: Handle conflicts within the church with grace and patience, fostering peace and unity.
- Practical Example: Have a calm and organized response plan for emergencies or crises within the church. Be a non-anxious presence, offering a listening ear to those in distress. Refuse to become a reactionary leader.
Safety and Protection
- Safe Environment: Ensure the church is a safe and welcoming space for all, meeting people where they are.
- Support Systems: Provide counseling, support groups, and other resources to protect the emotional well-being of attendees while inspiring them forward in the spiritual walk.
- Practical Example: Implement and enforce child protection policies. Offer confidential counseling services for those in need. Offer group experiences for people along the full spectrum of faith.
Experience and Skill
- Professional Development: Engage in ongoing learning and professional development to enhance your pastoral skills.
- Mentorship: Seek mentorship from experienced pastors and offer guidance to emerging leaders within your congregation.
- Practical Example: Attend pastoral conferences and workshops for continuous learning. Join or form peer groups with other pastors for mutual support and learning. This is why I created the Church Accelerator Community, btw.
In Summary…
As John C. Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
This is true in every organization, including your church.
Leadership in the church is multifaceted, requiring a balance of visionary direction, practical management, and spiritual guidance. By understanding, applying, and practicing the ways of a shepherd, you can better navigate the complexities of the role and effectively guide your church toward fulfilling its mission.
Before we conclude, let me reiterate: There is no leadership challenge like church leadership. The expectations and spiritual weight can overwhelm even the strongest of us. I’ve been there. Pray for wisdom in your church leadership. Invite God to help you illuminate the Gospel and grow as a leader in your church.
One More Thing…
If you found this helpful, please pass it along to anyone in your circle of influence who would benefit.
If you would benefit from coaching, community, and content designed with church leaders in mind, consider joining the Church Accelerator Community.
Leading WITH You,
