ShepherdLeader.com

I have frequently come across people who have not only been disappointed by the church but also damaged by the church. This is a travesty and tragedy. A viable much needed ministry today is for grace-filled faith communities to reach out to the never churched and the de-churched and offer the hope o...

We are told shepherding is not learned in a classroom or by poring over how-to manuals or digesting textbooks on the art and /or philosophy of shepherding. We are told,� It’s more caught than taught.� My dad served as an apprentice turner in the shipyards when he left high school. He did go to...

Growth, fruitfulness and multiplication are all kingdom values. The Creator’s call to humanity in the Genesis account was,� Be fruitful and multiply�. Tim Laniak reminds us of two powerful truths:� Reproduction is ultimately the result of divine intervention.� (p.227) we can strategize, se...

“It is a curious behaviour of sheep that once one picks a trail the rest simply follow the tail in front of them without regard for their destination.� This is a timely reminder of the power of influence and example. Paul could say,� Follow me as I follow Christ. The apostle pursued God on the...

This reflection challenges me that the LORD Himself exercises flexibility in His shepherd leading. The LORD leads with tenderness, nahal. This brings the flock much needed rest and refreshment. This raises a profound question when I am weary, my soul is thin and hollow and I am irritable and cranky:...

The Scottish pulpit giant, Alexander Whyte, stood at the doorway of the Kirk, greeting parishioners after the worship service had concluded. One of his flock, doubtless touched by his preaching, gushed,� Mr. Whyte you are such a man of God!� He replied,� My dear lady if you could see into the ...

When I used to visit my grandparents farm as a boy, I would occasionally take the bus that dropped me off at the top of a road perhaps 2 miles from my destination. From time to time, heading to the farm or from the farm on the rural roadway, an uninvited companion would accompany me; a gorgeous blac...

In our old neighbourhood, our neighbour Alex bought himself a dog. Alex would leave for work and his newfound pet would be left in the garage. The whole development knew the hound was there because it simply would not shut up. Incessantly through the course of the day, the quite normality of the ‘...

13 THE OTHER LION The tender Shepherd God of the Scriptures is also a threatening Lion. God is totally other; he is called The Numinous by Rudolf Otto. He is a God of immeasurable power and sizzling holiness.C.S. Lewis, influenced by Otto’s The Idea of the Holy, depicted the hero of the Narnia Chr...

The Arabs have a saying,�The lions den is never without bones.� (p.128) Scripture identifies the predatory nature of the enemy of our souls, Satan.� The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.� (John 10:10) “Be self-cont...

The author unpacks the risk attached to shepherding in the ancient lands of the Bible. The flocks and their overseers were prone to attacks from a variety of predators: panthers, hyenas, bears and lions.� Lions spend their lives engaged in two primary activities: sleeping after a meal and looking ...

In the chapter for Day 15 there is a clear reminder that shepherd is not simply a metaphor that undergirds church-based pastoral ministry. Shepherding is a metaphor for every kind of leadership: marketplace and ecclesial and military. “In ancient Greece shepherd leadership was associated with mili...

In the chapter for Day 15 there is a clear reminder that shepherd is not simply a metaphor that undergirds church-based pastoral ministry. Shepherding is a metaphor for every kind of leadership: marketplace and ecclesial and military. “In ancient Greece shepherd leadership was associated with mili...

Intriguing insight on the life of sheep.� Their eyesight is limited to between ten and fifteen yards.� I had understood from my limited knowledge of sheep that they were dumb and vulnerable. I had no idea that they suffered from poor eyesight they suffer from near sightedness! This challenges me...

As a small boy visiting my beloved grandparents, I was introduced to their selection of 78-rpm records. Big black rigid records that were carefully placed on a turntable inside an appliance-cum-sideboard. I remember that my Gran and Granda’ were both fond of Jim Reeves and particularly fond of Ten...