Here the word shepherd is used as a verb of specific action which defines a person who protects, guides (leads) and watches over a group of people under his leadership and responsibility.  It defines how a leader in the church, home or work should lead as God would have them to do and as an example to the flock.  I was reared on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country where we raised both sheep and cattle.  Our cattle did not need a shepherd but our sheep did.  I can tell you that sheep are not very smart and tend to go astray and get into danger.  My father and I (and sometimes a sheepdog) had to shepherd the flock or they would go astray and be in danger of many enemies.  We always tried to find a leader among the sheep who would go out front and lead them by example of where they should go.

Our church recently called a new pastor and one of the critical and required qualities or skills was that he must know how to shepherd the staff and the church flock.  Yes, he had to be an excellent expository preacher, but he had to be a shepherd leader of those whom he was to lead as God would have.  Leadership in one word is people.  It has been said that one of the best things about leadership is people and one of the worst things about leadership is people.  Look at God’s Word which is the Book about God leading people through the Chief Shepherd, his Son, Jesus Christ.  Throughout Scripture, man is compared to sheep and how they behave and must have a shepherd.  Jesus is the example to the flock who is to exercise oversight, protection, guidance and watchful care.  His example is what we are to follow as a shepherd for those whom God has given us the responsibility to lead.  Shepherd leadership is required for all of us, like sheep, who want to go astray and turn to our own way.  So, the bottom line is this, “Are you a shepherd leader being an example of Christ in how you live and lead?”