Shepherd

The One Who Cares

Shepherding leadership influences by nurturing, protecting and caring for people. Shepherd leaders' primary function is as the care-givers of individuals. Shepherding leadership is the people-oriented motivator who develops and supports healthy relational systems. In a leader, he or she has the unique ability to know and understand the needs of people and the ability to develop others. Shepherd leaders focus on the needs of today and manage people through meaningful and personal contact.

Often the Shepherd leader has a unique understanding of other’s feelings and emotions, creating a sincere relational bond. He or she will seek to create safe environments for meaning spiritual growth and discipleship. A Shepherd leader believes in the need to seek to resolve the needs of today at the expense of the focusing on needs of tomorrow. He or she is a humanizer, they provide the emotional glue for the caring of individuals within an organization. The Shepherd leader impacts the community through nurture. The Shepherd leader influences others by their deep love, care and protection of those in their care.

 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

JOHN 13:34-35

 

As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.

1 THESSALONIANS 2:6-8

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7

 

Characteristics

  • Core issue: love for people - individually and collectively
  • Humanizer providing care, concern and correction
  • Creates environments for change, not always comfortable
  • Unifier of an organization
  • Patient and timely with care, stretching people to grow
  • Cultivates loving and mature relationships
  • Aware of the spiritual network within a community
  • Desire to see people enriched, connected and understood
  • Expresses God’s love through creating healthy communities
  • Seeks the dignity and respect of each person
  • Has a vision for growth, sees other’s development
  • Aware of dangers, protects and guards others

 

Impact: Wholeness

You have the unique ability to provide a comfortable yet challenging space for people, a trusting relationship ripe for personal and spiritual growth. Seek places to serve as a counselor, discipler, care giver or role model. Be aware of the possibility that co-dependency may occur between you and those you are leading. Lead people inward and forward.

You naturally see potential, progress and growth; comment frequently on this. Trust your insight to lead people where they need to be. Your insight provides encouragement, learning and trust for development. This type of wisdom is a gift, share it freely so others gain a greater sense of faith in God and belief in themselves.

People will feel comfortable around you because you naturally understanding their feelings, emotions and life situation. People may often come to you for help, advice and comfort. Learn to recognize the signs of vulnerability and trust. Observe how open people become, and gently encourage in appropriate ways. Seek ways to connect their growth to the fulfillment of their personal mission and purpose in life.