By Ed Barnett
Recently, I returned to a book that I have read many times over the last twenty years and decided to order a copy for each of our pastors and everyone working in our Conference office.
The Way of the Shepherd by Dr. Kevin Leman and Bill Pentak is a small volume, but it contains very practical recommendations, and is an easy read. Many Mountain Views readers, especially those who are involved with various local church positions, would benefit from the valuable lessons it contains.
The authors share seven “secrets” to managing productive people and illustrate practical, logical management approaches for those who are leading people. Whether in the business world or the church, the principles found in this book apply.
Biblical principles of dealing with people are timeless. I find many business principles have their roots in the Bible and Christianity. For instance, lying and manipulating people is wrong in business and especially in the work of the church. As we read in the Gospels, and subsequently the Book of Acts, we recognize a number of principles shared by our First Shepherd who gave us practical principles of leadership. Leaders in the early church could organize the church as they were sheep first, led by a Master Teacher, and the Master Teacher had modeled this. The Way of the Shepherd expresses the secrets of leadership, connecting them to the contemporary needs seen and experienced in our faith community.
It’s the sheep that the book uses to illustrate what one needs to know when leading people. The seven secrets or principles go like this:
Know the Condition of Your Flock. You must know the people you are working with and leading. You must know what they do for their specific job. As a leader, you have to engage with them regularly and consistently.
Discover the Shape of Your Sheep. The people you pull into work or service in different areas in a church, school, or business must be suited for the job. Be careful who you choose for different positions. Make sure that people are in the area they have a passion for.
Help Your Sheep Identify With You. Build trust by modeling honesty, authenticity, and compassion with your team. Communicate your values and goals and let people know the importance of the part they play. Remember leadership is personal.
Make Your Pasture a Safe Place. Keep your folks informed of what is going on. Change people out of positions who aren’t working. Let people know that they are critical in their area of expertise. Don’t let problems fester and get too big. Keep things fresh and safe.
The Staff of Direction. Know where you are going and stay in front as a leader to keep things moving. Set boundaries, but give people freedom to work in their area. When people get in trouble, be there to help them out of it. Let people know that mistakes happen.
The Rod of Correction. Stand in the gap and fight for your sheep. Correction needs to take place from time to time, but look at it as an opportunity for growth. Regularly check on your people and the projects moving forward.
The Heart of the Shepherd. Leadership is a lifestyle, not a technique. Be there for your people, and most of all, have a heart for your sheep.
Leadership is absolutely critical for our churches and schools to grow. Time after time, I have seen churches or schools that are falling apart and nothing is working to turn them around. Then, a new pastor or principal/lead teacher comes in and, in a short time, things are turned around and they are growing again. The Way of the Shepherd may just be a guidebook to turn things around wherever you are involved.
–Ed Barnett is RMC president. Email him at: [email protected]