September 2024

The Good Shepherd

B. Keith Chapman, President & CEO

The leadership lessons in the Bible are endless. However, none are more impactful than the example that Jesus set himself while here on earth. His life and journey to the cross provide a playbook for us on how to manage challenges, people, and ourselves. In John chapter 10, Jesus uses the analogy of a shepherd and sheep to describe our relationship with God and the people around us. He refers to himself as “the good Shepherd.” A shepherd is a leader by trade and bears the responsibility for the flock. Regardless of our current position, age, or status in life, we have all found ourselves in a position of responsibility for others. Understanding the approach that Jesus took to be a good shepherd and applying it to our lives daily will produce immense value.

In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”This, of course, is the ultimate display of love. However, I think it is important to understand this is a sacrificial approach to leadership. Putting others’ needs before our own can have a powerful impact on people and build trust. This is a soft skill that can be difficult to learn and even harder to master. By nature, we are self-focused. I have found that this is an area of personal development that must be intentional, or it will often be overlooked.

In John 10:10, Jesus says, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” In this passage of scripture, Jesus makes it clear that part of the responsibility of the Shepherd is to protect those which he is leading. Guiding, developing, and mentoring are all forms of protection. Preparing those around you for the future and helping remove the obstacles that could hinder growth or cause harm is an essential element of a good leader. I have found that not everyone around you will be open to this type of development, but it does not dismiss the responsibility of the leader to keep trying.

In John 10:14, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me, and I know the Father.” Relationships matter. It is difficult to lead without understanding who you are leading. Many of us have been asked about our leadership styles in interviews and conversations. While leadership styles have been well-defined by scholars throughout the years, I find that it is never a one-size-fits-all approach.  My response is always, tell me who I am trying to lead, and I will tell you what style will likely be effective. Understanding people takes time, patience, and persistence. Don’t underestimate the impact of understanding people and allowing people to understand you.

The final key is this lesson, which is knowing when to be a shepherd and when to be a sheep. Knowing when to lead and when to be led is a critical skill. There is a song by Patrick Mayberry and Zahriya Zachary called “Lead On Good Shepherd.” This song is a great reminder that while we tend to focus on leading others, we must remain focused on our development by first allowing God to lead us. We have access to THE good Shepherd that can develop, protect, and mentor us in every aspect of life.

Challenge: Put others’ needs before yours. Protect those whom you have been given responsibility for by guiding, developing, and mentoring them. Focus on relationships and adapt your leadership style to be most effective. Look for those times to lead, but remain humble enough to be led yourself.

Published: September 1, 2024

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