Friday, March 18, 2016

SHEPHERDS USE THE RIGHT TOOLS


Psalm 23:4   Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.


            The Shepherd of old used a Rod and Staff to shepherd the flock. The Rod was used to discipline, inspect and direct individual sheep or the entire flock. The Staff was topped with a hook. It was used to catch a stray or pull others out of danger. Both the Rod and Staff were used by the Shepherd to steady his own walk as he guided the flock over rough terrain. Today, we could use a Compass and a Fence to simulate our role as Shepherds. The Compass like the Rod is used to point the flock in the proper direction. The Compass allows the shepherd to know whether they are on course. The Fence, likewise, provides the boundaries within which the individual sheep and flock are to operate. They are kept together as a group within the guidelines set down by the Shepherd. A good shepherd will bring the strays back within the Fence. Both the Compass and Fence are tools for the shepherd to remain diligent himself in achieving his goals and steadies his decisions as he leads the flock.

            The Compass and the Fence enable the shepherd to allow the individuals to make decisions and take steps themselves within these two parameters. When leaders do not allow the followers to make their decisions within the parameters, problems develop. Followers will never grow and develop in appropriate ways. Their own decision making muscles will weaken or waste away. Generally, the people closest to the action will have the most information to bring to the decision. What does this style of leadership look like? Sometimes it looks like doing nothing. One otherwise impressive leader sometimes seemed lazy or inattentive.  He would allow things to fall on the ground and make a mess.  It was his way of forcing others to step up. Guide them to see the necessary data and information and helping them frame the precise question to be answered in a decision can be crucial.…Build the fences and wait…This will require the patience, faith and wisdom of a great shepherd leader.

Shepherd Leadership: Wisdom for Leaders From Psalm 23 by Blaine McCormick & David Davenport, pgs.67-69.

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