The Shepherding Leader: Lead in the Power of our Good Shepherd
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Guest Article by Scott Dillon, Head of School, Westminster Catawba Christian School
In the winter of 2023, I began interviewing candidates for our Elementary Principal opening. Wanting to cast a wide net, I had many initial Zoom conversations with applicants. During those virtual meetings, I found myself drawn to several candidates who specifically referred to the concept of “shepherd" as they spoke of their administrative experience as well as their desired future. That may be because I am a ruling elder in the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) where the call to shepherd God's people is a continuous refrain. It may be because I desire so strongly to be a shepherd-leader in my school (in all of life really). Or it may be that I so often feel inadequate as a shepherd and long to see others for others around me to show me the way. Truth be told, it is likely the combination of all the above.
As I have pondered the concept of "leader as shepherd," my mind quickly goes to a few folks who have shepherded me well. I think about my first Head of School who used his shepherd's "staff" to guide me and to correct me; another who established boundaries for me so that I would thrive within those boundaries; and still another who continually led me by streams of quiet waters and restored my soul. I think of one particular board member who served faithfully as my "battle-buddy" in the aftermath of losing my father-in-law (walking through the valley of the shadow of death), and of two dear friends who love me so well that my cup overflow. And I think of those who are seemingly so close to Christ that I often feel like I am dwelling in the house of the Lord when I am with them! Even as I consider this list, I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving to God for His provision of shepherds in my life, while at the same time feeling very inadequate to follow in the footsteps of these shepherds who were simply following our Good Shepherd! I often wonder… did the disciples ever feel unworthy of shepherding???
Let's consider Peter. I must admit that Peter and I would not fall into the same categories on a Myers Briggs or Enneagram test. However, I have learned so much about how to shepherd by considering his call - and the road to that call!
In Matthew 4, Jesus first calls Peter (then called Simon) and his brother Andrew to "follow me and I will make you fishers of men." And Peter promptly leaves his nets and follows.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus tells Peter that on this "rock" He would build the church. That's a good start!
In John 13:37, Peter proclaims that he would lay down his life for Jesus. He is all-in!
Then, as is recorded in all four of the gospels, Peter denies Jesus. How did he so quickly forget what Jesus said about him, or what he had said about Jesus? (How do I so quickly forget what Jesus has done for me?)
John 21 is one of my favorite "shepherding" passages, where Jesus restores Peter with three questions ("Peter, do you love me?") and three subsequent commands ("Peter, feed my sheep"). Jesus could have said anything as part of this restoration. But He chose to reinforce the call on Peter to shepherd!
And, in Acts 2, just a short time after Peter is restored, he preaches at Pentecost (Acts 2). There's that rock on whom the church will be built.
Decades later, near the end of his life, Peter instructs the elders to shepherd the flock (I Peter 5).
Allow me to dig in to I Peter 5 and consider these instructions in the context of Peter's life and ministry. As we do, know that Peter is specifically addressing men who are called to be Elders/church leaders. But the principles of shepherding can apply so well to so many of us who may never be Elders in the church.
I Pet 5:1-2a - So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you…
Peter exhorts the elders as a fellow elder. He witnessed the sufferings of Christ. He also understood the glory that was to come, as a forgiven follower of Jesus!
I Pet 5:2b-3 - exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Look at his description of what it looks like to shepherd the flock: willingly, not for yourself but others, setting an example. I sense the humility in his voice as one who had been forgiven so very much!
I Pet 5:4 - And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Peter was absolutely convinced that Jesus would appear again and that the crown of glory would be worth it… all of it!
I Pet 5:5-7 - Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
There's that humility again. We can really see the spiritual growth/maturation in Peter since his earlier impetuous days of following Jesus during his three years of ministry.
I Pet 5:8-10 - Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
Is Peter looking back on his own denial of Jesus and trying to get the next generation of leaders/shepherds to know that there will be temptations to flee as well as suffering for service? And yet, Peter exhorts with such great hope!
I Pet 5:11 - To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
THIS is the end of all our ministries - that God would be God and that everyone would know!
As I write this, I have just completed thirty-five years in Christian education as a teacher, coach, and administrator. I know that I wanted to lead as shepherd in my early years - and actually thought I was doing a pretty good job. But now, possibly like Peter, I look back and proverbially shake my head. I want to instruct the 20-something teacher in me to focus on shepherding those in my care more than trying to fill their heads with knowledge. I want to challenge the 30-something and 40-something administrator in me to be humble, to lead without domineering, to set an example, and to listen more intently to those who have gone before me! Then, although it is not as long ago, I want to exhort the 47-year-old first time Head of School to be watchful, to resist temptation, to stand firm knowing that suffering was coming. And I would want to do all the above SO THAT my sheep would know the Good Shepherd will Himself crown them with an unfading crown of glory!
I expect that Peter never forgot that he denied Jesus three times. I also believe that every reminder of the denial led to a recalling of Jesus' gracious restoration to shepherd. Not only did Peter go on to shepherd, but he also went on to shepherd the shepherds. That's where I sit these days. I can quickly recount my failings as a shepherd but can't do so without becoming overwhelmed at how much I have been forgiven - and this drives me to want to shepherd those who will come behind me.
My hope in prayer is that all who are called to shepherd would do so as forgiven sinners who have been restored to shepherd in the power of our Good Shepherd, even Jesus Christ!