Are You a Sheherd, A Cowboy or a Ministerial Manipulator

Many times in the Bible we see references to a shepherd and their care for the sheep.  Possibly the most commonly used passage for comfort refers to God as our shepherd (Psalm 23).  There is a great deal of importance placed on being under the care of the shepherd.  At the same time we see many references to Spiritual leaders (Pastor) to be a shepherd.  We even can go as far as to call them the undershepherd.  I get the feeling through my reading that the best example of spiritual leadership is the shepherd.  I want to explore some thoughts about spiritual leadership that I have been thinking about lately.  I see three groups of spiritual leaders that stick out in my mind; Shepherds, Cowboys and Ministerial Manipulators.

Ministerial Manipulators

These are the people who make everything they desire for you to do a spiritual issue.  An example would be that they want you to dress in a certain way so they make it a spiritual issue.  Or they want you to do a certain activity or not do another one so they make it a spiritual issue.  Many people view these folks as legalistic, which is a pretty fair assessment of the situation.

Dads

Are you creating your own moral code in your family?  Do you push your family to please God, but really it is to please yourself (who are you making into a God here)?  Many times fathers can place their desire to the height of a manipulator.

Leaders

Are you getting your preferences confused the truth of Scripture?  Are you lecturing kids to change to be more like God or like you?  Many leaders want people just do it the way the leader wants.

Cowboys

These are the people who are willing to push people to do things without actually committing to do it themselves.  A good example would be the fat football coach who will push his players to get in better shape while choking down a coke and box of Crispy Creams (or a Pastor who does the same while talking about discipline).  This happens all the time in the Christian Community.

Dads

Is it you goal for your kids to achieve a certain goal you have for them?  Maybe you are still trying to live your teen years through your kids.  Do you do it physically as well as spiritually?  Study harder, play harder, read your Bible, or many other options that can be screamed at your child.  Are you becoming the Mike Ditka of Fatherhood?

Leaders

Do you do this in your leadership role?  Are you constantly pushing people to do more so they can be more "pleasing to God"?  Are you preaching and teaching others to do hard things for God while sitting comfortably in the lap of luxury?  God doesn't need you to push others.

Cowboys tend to hang in the back and watch to make sure everyone gets there safely.  This is hardly a leader but rather a pusher.

Shepherds


The shepherd leads people to food, safety and helps them grow.  Shepherds are not begging people to do the work that they are unwilling to do themselves.  In fact they are at the front leading.  This does not mean that they are not delegating the tasks but they show the importance of each task by performing their tasks with excellence.

Dads
When your kid does something wrong are you showing them how it offends God?  At the same time when you do something wrong are you taking care of your offenses to those you offended?  My dad was a good shepherd.  I remember many times when I was sure he wanted to spank the snot out of me in rage, but instead he took the time to explain my spiritual downfall.  He did not expect me to work hard and not work hard as well.  Grades were not as important as the effort I put in.  He could have cared less if I ever scored a goal but rather if I worked as hard as I could.
This is not intended to just exalt my dad but to make a point.  The earthly rewards are hardly as valuable as the spiritual success that comes from being a model of Christlikeness.  Start showing your kids what keeping a room clean looks like (not making your wife work harder either).  Start showing the importance of reading the Word and praying by making it pivotal in your life.  Start protecting your family not by making rules to keep them safer, but by showing them you are there with them.

Leaders
Do not tell your kids, church or youth group to work hard and then not work on it yourself.  When people are going through a tough patch throw yourself in a help them make it through.  Stop being a hypocrite that encourages growth without doing it yourself.  I had a coach that will always stick out in mind because when we were running sprints he was right there.  Kenny Volbrecht taught me many valuable lessons by doing that. As a leader take the same approach and actually get in there with the others.
Do not expect change without changing yourself first.  Be different and when it is obvious you will have the opportunity to lead.


Be a good shepherd.