ShepherdLeader.com

“When I inquired among the Bedouin about the herder hierarchy, they always answered simply, ‘We are shepherds.’� (232) It never occurred to me that herds have a hierarchy. But that must be true. I always envisioned shepherds being small-town people who manage herds of 50-150 sheep. That’s ...

“We are both shepherds and sheep.� (198) The shepherd-sheep analogy of walking with God and God’s people reinforces a grander theme in scripture: the theme of modeling. Paul states this theme explicitly in 1 Corinthians 11:1 when he writes “Imitate me just as I imitate Christ.� As Christia...

“Sheep know they belong to a shepherd. They are named, known, and counted every day.� (101) It’s easy for me as a pastor to paint my church in broad brushes. I can identify generalities about a certain group of people or stereotypes. I naturally view those in my congregation (or “flock�) a...

“The vast variety of ills and harmful habits that befall sheep around the world is almost comical…� (65) Sheep are susceptible to ailments just like any other creature on this planet. But unlike other animals they can be really stupid and self-afflicting. In so doing they easily infect others ...

“What do we as leaders eat? ...Is our ‘diet’ rich in God’s word? Are we as leaders good readers? Do we really study scripture and meditate on it daily, relishing its insights as spiritual delicacies?� (62) Guilty as charged. While reflecting on Taniak’s quote above, I thought of three fa...