They Smell Like Sheep Volume 2: Leading with a Heart of a Shepherd
Dr. Lynn Anderson writes his “They Smell Like Sheep: Volume 2, Leading with the Heart of a Shepherd” with various types of shepherds in mind. This is important to note, because one might assume Anderson’s audience to be appointed shepherds in Restoration Movement churches. Anderson takes great pains throughout the book to include parents, small group leaders, older generations, bible class teachers, and eventually all Christians as shepherds. This is of great significance considering Anderson is a part of the conservative Restoration Movement. Extending the label of shepherd beyond those in formal church leadership sets up Anderson’s closing sentiments about discipleship and multiplication of the faith.
Anderson uses the bulk of his book to speak to the characteristics of the heart of a shepherd. First, he states that shepherds of Christ’s church must have a heart for God. That is, one who is about the task of shepherding must measure success according to a condition of the heart, rather than typical Western societal measures of success. Moreover, shepherds must hunger and thirst for God in their lives, using their desire for God’s glory to fund their shepherding effort, and be in constant prayer. The character of a shepherd must be beyond reproach. She must live a life that defines integrity, holiness, and purity. Granted, shepherds too, have sin in their lives and will certainly fall short, but shepherds whose lives are full of hidden sin diminish their usefulness to the church. It is also true that if a shepherd has a heart for God, she will also have a heart for people. Anderson contends that God loved people so much that he sent Jesus as God incarnate in order to demonstrate his love and enact his plan of salvation. It follows that a shepherd must have a deep love for humanity as well. The shepherd’s love for people must be so great that she seeks to heal the sick as Jesus did. Shepherds naturally seek out broken and hurting people out of their love for them in order to offer God’s light and healing power.
In the second half of his book, Anderson moves from the nature of the heart of a shepherd to his activities and practices. First, one who leads a congregation has a life flooded with the story of God we find in Scripture. Hungering for the themes of God’s narrative provides the shepherd with wisdom and insight into the ways and values of God. In turn, that shepherd yearns to teach others the grand story of God and, while that does not always occur in a traditional Bible class setting, the shepherd lives his life in a way to bring others into that narrative. A wise shepherd also has the vision to see how his followers will likewise teach others Scripture.
Perhaps most importantly, in order to effectively shepherd the church one must be willing to take on the role of a servant. Here we remember Jesus washing the feet of the apostles and apply that same humility to the leaders of our churches. Servant leaders must be willing to take on the role of being the hands and feet of Jesus not only in service, but also to the point of being wounded for the good of the church. It is from these wounds, that the shepherd finds even more resources with which he can relate and offer healing to others who are suffering.
According to Anderson, a true shepherd is an opsimath who uses all of his years in life to gain experience which he leverages for wisdom in leading the flock. Part of that wisdom is juxtaposed against the knowledge that some questions of faith are left unanswered as part of the mystery of God. One who lacks the humility to admit a lack of understanding is probably doing more harm than good in leading his church. Additionally, shepherds handle difficult situations with grace and non-anxious ways of resolving the inevitable conflict that arises in churches. Useful shepherds are always encouraging to the flock and never lose sight of the hope they have in Jesus. They are confident in God’s faithfulness and remain convinced that God is at work in the world, in the church on earth, and in their respective flocks. This hope enables multiplication of discipleship to happen in all venues of the Christian’s life, transforming each believer from sheep to shepherd.
Anderson uses the bulk of his book to speak to the characteristics of the heart of a shepherd. First, he states that shepherds of Christ’s church must have a heart for God. That is, one who is about the task of shepherding must measure success according to a condition of the heart, rather than typical Western societal measures of success. Moreover, shepherds must hunger and thirst for God in their lives, using their desire for God’s glory to fund their shepherding effort, and be in constant prayer. The character of a shepherd must be beyond reproach. She must live a life that defines integrity, holiness, and purity. Granted, shepherds too, have sin in their lives and will certainly fall short, but shepherds whose lives are full of hidden sin diminish their usefulness to the church. It is also true that if a shepherd has a heart for God, she will also have a heart for people. Anderson contends that God loved people so much that he sent Jesus as God incarnate in order to demonstrate his love and enact his plan of salvation. It follows that a shepherd must have a deep love for humanity as well. The shepherd’s love for people must be so great that she seeks to heal the sick as Jesus did. Shepherds naturally seek out broken and hurting people out of their love for them in order to offer God’s light and healing power.
In the second half of his book, Anderson moves from the nature of the heart of a shepherd to his activities and practices. First, one who leads a congregation has a life flooded with the story of God we find in Scripture. Hungering for the themes of God’s narrative provides the shepherd with wisdom and insight into the ways and values of God. In turn, that shepherd yearns to teach others the grand story of God and, while that does not always occur in a traditional Bible class setting, the shepherd lives his life in a way to bring others into that narrative. A wise shepherd also has the vision to see how his followers will likewise teach others Scripture.
Perhaps most importantly, in order to effectively shepherd the church one must be willing to take on the role of a servant. Here we remember Jesus washing the feet of the apostles and apply that same humility to the leaders of our churches. Servant leaders must be willing to take on the role of being the hands and feet of Jesus not only in service, but also to the point of being wounded for the good of the church. It is from these wounds, that the shepherd finds even more resources with which he can relate and offer healing to others who are suffering.
According to Anderson, a true shepherd is an opsimath who uses all of his years in life to gain experience which he leverages for wisdom in leading the flock. Part of that wisdom is juxtaposed against the knowledge that some questions of faith are left unanswered as part of the mystery of God. One who lacks the humility to admit a lack of understanding is probably doing more harm than good in leading his church. Additionally, shepherds handle difficult situations with grace and non-anxious ways of resolving the inevitable conflict that arises in churches. Useful shepherds are always encouraging to the flock and never lose sight of the hope they have in Jesus. They are confident in God’s faithfulness and remain convinced that God is at work in the world, in the church on earth, and in their respective flocks. This hope enables multiplication of discipleship to happen in all venues of the Christian’s life, transforming each believer from sheep to shepherd.
Labels: church, Lipscomb, Lynn Anderson, shepherds
posted by Eric Livingston at
9/22/2008
2 Comments:
We are told in the Bible that a shepherd is to be the husband of one wife, therefore a man. Even if this book is talking of people outside the concept of church leadership, it seems to me that you are intentionally trying to cause controversy by using the preposition 'she' in your post.
Anon,
1. As I stated, Anderson writes to spiritual leaders, not just Church of Christ elder office holders. Females certainly have value and gifts in the realm of spiritual leadership.
2. This is a snippet of a summary I did for a class. In academic writing gender inclusiveness is the norm.
3. If you know me, which I assume you do since you're reading my blog, then I'm offended. Please offer me the benefit of the doubt that I don't intentionally try to cause controversy. I don't do that.
On an aside, by injecting a feminine pronoun into the writing the only thing I was causing was awareness and justice.
In the future if you have critical things to say, please contact me directly or at least post your name. I think that will help us have a healthier discussion.
Thanks.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home