Episode Nine

A Shepherd-Leader’s Task

In Episode Eight of this series on leadership entitled LEAD the WAY, I talked about the second metaphor of a leader as a shepherd, and the essential qualities for a shepherd-leader. In this Episode Nine, I will continue talk Shepherd-Leader’s tasks, and some examples of shepherd-leadership, after which, I will talk about the third metaphor of a leader as a steward, the essential qualities for a Steward-Leader, his tasks, and some examples of steward-leadership. Let us begin.

A Shepherd-Leader’s Task

A shepherd-leader connects with the flock. The relational web will always be a distinguishing characteristic for churches and Christian organizations. Many leaders commit the error of separating leadership from relationship. This happens when a person steps into a position of leadership and assumes that everyone will follow him because of his position. Other leaders wrongly believe that their knowledge alone qualifies them to lead. Leaders must be able to relate with the flock they lead. Effective leadership is grounded in relationships. The Bible has numerous instructions on relationships that every leader should heed.

Not every biblical leader is a model of relational health, but we see the examples of Joseph forgiving his brothers for their treachery, David caring for his men while fleeing from Saul, and Paul mentoring young Timothy. The New Testament has numerous exhortations on how people should relate: do unto others, in humility consider others better than self, and speak the truth in love. If a leader exerts force on the flock, they will follow out of fear. A shepherd-leader’s authority rests upon a profound trust among his flock. 

Examples of Shepherd-Leaders in the Bible

Scripture earnestly stresses the serious responsibility of human leaders for those who follow them. One of the most solemn chapters in the Old Testament is the denunciation of the faithless shepherds in Ezekiel 34 (cf. Jer. 23:1–4; 25:32–38). God shepherded his people through Moses, the human leader he appointed to shepherd them (Ps. 77:20). This pattern continues in the reign of David and his dynasty. The Lord took David from shepherding sheep and made him shepherd of Israel (2 Sam. 5:1–3, 7:8). The imagery of a shepherd and his flock thus provided a picture of the way God cared for his people, and also serves as a model for biblical leaders. God cares for his people as a shepherd cares for his flock. Leaders are likewise to rule over men as a shepherd tends his flock.

The Leader is a Steward of God’s Resources

A steward-leader is acutely aware of his identity as steward, not owner of the resources. While every Christian is a steward who is responsible to manage whatever gifts and resources God has given him in order to serve others (1 Pet. 4:10), God assigns a steward-leader and gives him the responsibility of overseeing resources that may include people, budget, time, wisdom, and talents. This responsibility includes other Christians who cooperate with him (Titus 1:7).

Word Study for “Steward”

In the Old Testament, a steward is a man who is “over the house” (Gen. 43:19; 44:4; Isa. 22:15). In the New Testament, two Greek words are translated “steward:” epitropos (Matt. 20:8; Gal. 4:2), designating one to whose care or honor has been entrusted, a curator, a guardian; and oikonomos (Luke 16:2–3; 1 Cor. 4:1–2; Tit. 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10), depicting a manager or superintendent. Oikonomos comes from oikos (house) and nemo (to dispense or to manage). The word is used to describe the function of delegated responsibility. Oikonomos means “a manager of the household, a trustee, treasurer of the resources of his Master.” When Jesus taught a parable on stewardship (Luke 12:35–46), he reminded his servants to always be ready for service and to keep the lamps burning until his return. Peter, on hearing Jesus’ words, sought to clarify whether Jesus’ teaching was meant for everyone and Jesus’ answer was that the parable was for the faithful and wise managers (stewards) that he placed in charge of his servants. Thus, the oikonomous’ role was to see that the other servants are equipped, nourished, and fulfilling their God-given task in their Master’s house when he returned. Jesus underscored that the qualities needed in steward-leadership are faithfulness and wisdom.

Essential Qualities for a Steward of God

A steward of God must first have the propensity to prayer and planning as seen in the example of Nehemiah (1:1–11). Spending time in prayer produces concern, sanctified ideas, creative plans, and assurance of God-given convictions. Planning is bridging the gap between the way things are and the way we want them to be. Planning involves facts, goals, resources, timetables, movements, communications, and convictions of faith.

Second, a steward of God is motivating and mobilizing, again taking Nehemiah as an example (2:17–20). Motivation precedes mobilization. The key to motivating begins with discovering the felt needs of the people. This effort allows a leader to totally identify with them, plan a simple workable solution, and establish that God and circumstances are for the people. The key to mobilizing includes enthusiastically communicating one’s faith, meeting their desires and needs, actively involving in the task, and maintaining and managing the initiative at all cost.

The third quality includes the propensity in organizing and delegating that begins with gathering the facts and analysis of the situation, followed by a carefully thought-out division of the task into workable units. This process will culminate in evaluation (see Nehemiah 3–6).

A Steward-Leader’s Task

A steward-leader’s task is to channel God’s resources. He oversees the relational process of helping people discern gifts and serve within the church. Steward-leaders will also approach finances with humility and seek God’s guidance to use the resources that align with the strategy to advance the Gospel, knowing full well that every Christian is a steward who has the responsibility to manage and channel the resources God has given him in order to serve others (1 Pet. 4:10) for the advancement of the Gospel.

In the parable in Matt. 25:15, the man who was given five talents felt the weight of responsibility and opportunity to earn a return commensurate to what he has received than those who have been given less. The gift-mix of our congregations includes experience and expertise which oblige a leader to grapple with the issue whether to ignore or to harness these resources. Using the gifts that God has bestowed upon the congregation is good stewardship and so is using resources with an eye toward the future. It is a challenge to allocate the God-given resources of people, money, and energy, individually and corporately, in accordance to God’s leading into the future. Good stewardship requires intentional thinking and doing, which means leading and planning for the future of the church. To accomplish God’s mission, churches need to leverage the combined talents of a diversity of gifts within their congregation.

Examples of Steward-Leaders in the Bible

The Bible names several people as steward-leaders. They include Adam (Gen. 2:15), the Israelites (Lev. 25:1–5; Deut. 8:17–18), Joseph (Gen. 39:4–6), Aholiab (Exod. 31:6), Bezalel (Exod. 35:30), the Levitical priests (Lev. 22:9), the seven men appointed to serve the Hellenistic widows (Acts 6), Paul (1 Cor. 4:2; 9:17), and Timothy (1 Tim. 6:20).

The three-faceted model of servant, shepherd, and steward in a biblical leader is rooted in the Old and New Testament (Greenleaf 1977; Howell 2003; Kuest 2006; Laniak 2006; Malphurs 2003; McCormick and Davenport 2003; Phelps 2009; Rinehart 1998; Rodin 2010; Witmer 2010). God calls and equips an individual or a group of people to lead relative to the rest of the created order. Specifically, in a church setting, this model of leading involves some people leading others in order to accomplish God’s purposes.

General Observations about Leadership in the Bible

An examination of leadership in the passages of the Bible reveals several salient points.

1. Leadership begins with God calling a person to the role and task; a leader does not

appoint or choose himself.

2. God chooses leaders using an entirely different set of criteria than people do.
3. Leadership is a process of God’s preparation.
4. Leadership in Scripture is about influence, not rank, title, or position.
5. Leadership is closely linked to purpose, to the why, what, and how.
6. As a leader follows God, he in turn leads the followers to God.
7. A leader obeys God, is willing to suffer, has the boldness to do what God requires,

and has the courage to do it.

8. A leader seeks after God’s approval, not others.
9. A leader relies on God, not self, to carry out the leadership task.
10. A leader is faithful in his human efforts and trusts God for the outcome.
11. A leader is characterized by a passion for God and a compassion for people.
12. A leader is selfless, humbly and steadfastly discharging his responsibility

without any concern on the time and toll.

In this Episode Nine, I talked about the Shepherd-Leader’s tasks, and some examples of shepherd-leadership, after which, I talked about the third metaphor of a leader as a steward, the essential qualities for a Steward-Leader, his tasks, and some examples of steward-leadership. To help us review what we have heard from this podcast, I invite you to reflect on the following questions. Please join me for Episode Ten, which I will talk about the negative examples of Ineffective Leadership, and an Inadequate Leadership, after which I will suggest a new paradigm of Leadership, which I call Impactful Leadership. Good-bye, and have a great day!

Discussion Questions

1. What comes to mind when the word steward is being mentioned?

2. Is your takeaway lesson from the study of the word steward?

3. Which of the stewards mentioned in the Bible impresses you?