During my time of “coffee with the Lord” today I read a wonderful passage in the Bible – a passage that addresses leadership – 1 Peter 5.1-5.
“And now, a word to you who are elders [leaders] in the churches… As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly – not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor… And all of you… serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” (New Living Translation)
I have a doctorate in leadership… I can tell you there are all kinds of leaders and leadership styles… Transactional, autocratic, bureaucratic, charismatic, democratic-participative, laissez-faire, task-oriented, people/relations-oriented, transformational and servant-leadership! And the list could go on…
This passage, however appeals for a “JESUS-STYLE” OF LEADERSHIP” – the style of “the Great Shepherd.” Here’s what Jesus said…
“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me… I sacrifice my life for the sheep.” (From John 10:11-15 NLT)
I WANT TO BE THAT KIND OF LEADER! I need that kind of leader! And as a follower of Jesus, I HAVE THAT KIND OF LEADER!
Coffee With The Lord 