A Shepherd’s Care: a devotion on leadership

From an Africa Study Bible article titled “Leadership in Africa”:

Our society today cries for inspiring and God-honouring leadership. Families, businesses, churches, ministries, civic organisations, and other institutions need leaders. The Bible has two pictures of what a leader should be: a shepherd and a servant. Such leadership is exemplified by Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-10; Psalm 23) and the one who “took the humble position of a slave” (Philippians 2:7). This is leadership that is inspiring, God-honouring, and encouraging to those being led. 

A shepherd’s primary aim is to guide the flock to the green pasture and streams of fresh water. This requires selflessness on the shepherd’s part and a motivation of deep compassion (Mark 6:34; John 11:33-35). Real shepherds commit to the protection of their people and agree to risk their lives for them (1 Samuel 17:37). African leaders must protect their people through just laws, fair economic practices, and transparent administrative systems. 

Whether shepherds lead the flock from the front, the side, or the back, shepherds are an example of a deep relationship between leaders and their followers based on the compassion and the vision for the good of the ones being led. The fulfilment leaders receive does not derive from the applause and rewards of the people but from the difference that their service makes in terms of the growth and development of their people. 

Today:

Honestly try to understand what leadership means to you. Do you think of a leader as the important person in charge, or the servant of the sheep? When you want to lead in church, are you trying to be important or the servant of God’s sheep? We all struggle with this. Ask God to help you to become a servant leader.