SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP ANALYSIS 2
A Shepherd leader knows and understands their role. They are responsible for their flock
and guarding them as well. In the role of the shepherd, they are to protect their sheep spiritually
and physically. Shepherd leaders also know how to live amongst the flock and pay attention to
them. Shepherds in leadership should provoke a positive change, as well as nourish, care, and
guide those who have chosen to follow them. In this paper, I will give information on God’s
intention for Biblical leaders to be able to adopt a shepherd's mindset to lead others. A good
shepherd leader should be able to remain effective in their mission for God in this current world.
We can continue to explore the role of a Shepherd. Also, in this paper, it will discuss the ability
to use knowledge as a leader. As a leader, one should know oneself and always be able to prepare
oneself for the ministry, as every leader requires this by God’s grace. Those leaders who have
properly prepared themselves, as well as having the ability and the right skills will possess the
potential to be successful. In ministry, the ideal leader can perform at their best. Shepherd
leadership is often practiced in churches, where a leader is called to care for and communicate
with their flock while teaching them to be self-sufficient.
Biblical Scriptures for Shepherd Leadership
There are so many models of leadership in the Bible. The focus is that of a shepherd
leader. Shepherds are leaders as it is shown in Psalm 23. Scripture shows that Jesus is our
shepherd, and we should want for nothing. When we speak of the Lord being our shepherd, we
speak of caring, guidance, and nurturing. A Shepherd leader is the keeper who feeds and guards
his sheep. The shepherd's role is crucial for the sheep to survive. God has given us shepherds
after his own heart, those leaders who can build the sheep's spiritual and personal growth while
understanding Scripture with the ability to utilize them effectively. It is the shepherd's job to
provide and protect their sheep no matter the outcome. Further reference to Psalm 23, gives us an
SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP ANALYSIS 3
understanding of the works of a good shepherd, who is sent to provide, care, anoint, and protect.
In the Bible, the first reference to the shepherd was in Genesis 4:2, as it spoke of Adam’s son,
Abel. In this book, shepherding was a chief occupation, and the sheep signified wealth. Ezekiel
and Jeremiah are two prophets who made it known regarding the shepherd leadership model.
A shepherd is a servant who gives himself. In Philippians 2, there is a plea for unity in
the church. Paul uses Christ as an example. Continuing to view the video by Dr. Forrest, he
speaks about the reflections of shepherd leadership. He also mentions in leadership, how we
should image Christ. In Scripture, Christ is the good shepherd. Do we see ourselves as a
shepherd, even in our homes? In these positions, we may find ourselves in a need to serve, or a
need to shepherd (Forrest, 2021). With all the writings regarding shepherd leadership, we can see
that this one is often used in the Bible to help those followers understand Christ’s relationship to
them. To be a good shepherd, you must be able to feed your sheep. What God has given them;
they must be willing to also give what God says.
Tom Carson
Considering the characteristics of a shepherd leader, we should look at David, Jesus, and
Moses. These three were excellent examples of a good shepherd leader. Many tried to mimic the
life Jesus had. Tom Carson was not your ordinary pastor. He was a shepherd to his family as well
as the church. Tom Carson was a man who truly loved his family and his wife. He stood bold in
his Christian faith in a land that was loyal to the Roman Catholic church. Carson was a man who
was committed to ministry and had no fear when it came to spreading the gospel or going out
into the community to offer information on salvation. Carson even visited some of the most
dangerous communities, but he stood his ground. Tom Carson led the life of a shepherd leader
and it showed. He was fully committed and dedicated to the members and the church. Carson
SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP ANALYSIS 4
visited many homes to counsel, pray, and minister as well as kingdom building. Studying for
countless hours preparing sermons as well as witnessing those whom he encountered. Carson
replicated Apostle Paul in his stance as a preacher, husband, and pastor. Even when he had
doubts, he still put ministry first. As Carson shepherded his flock, he continued to pray for them
and their growth, as he showed them that he cared for them. Tom Carson may have had failures
that were personal as well as sins that often crossed his mind. Carson kept a journal of these
things. Like other great leaders, Carson was willing to serve when and where he was needed.
There were certain communities that Carson served in which he thought were very important to
the Christian church located in Canada. Tom Carson always walked in authority as a pastor and a
leader but “had a remarkably tender conscience” (Carson, 2008, p. 94). When reading about Tom
Carson, I am drawn to everything Shepherd leadership 5 he was as a shepherd leader. Even with
his faults, he persevered as a great leader who did not allow the errors of his ways or the tasks he
was handed. He was bold in his approaches regarding leadership, and it seemed that he could
balance family life and ministry. Some churches gave money to purchase a new building, so Tom
informed them of his decision to leave the Union. Tom’s decision to leave impacted everyone
severely, but for the body of Christ, he stood on truth. Tom never ignored the needs of his family
or his wife regardless of the responsibilities he faced with the church and the sacrifices he made
to his reputation. Carson was always present in their lives and spent valuable time with them as
well. He often talked with his family, and they played games too. In later years, Carson’s wife
suffered from Alzheimer’s and dementia, so he became her caregiver. When Carson realized the
lengths, his wife went to carry children while he pursued to become pastor, he wished there were
more could have been done. Carson was always faithful to God, the ones he led, his wife, and his
family. Through reading the journey that Carson took, we can see that he was very daring when it
SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP ANALYSIS 5
came to winning souls, but he also had a caring nature. When it came to pastoring and church
planting, Carson was determined to leave a positive impact on the lives of his children even
though they had to experience the struggles that came with it. Tom Carson was all alone when he
left this world for eternal life, less than three years after the passing of his wife. Second
Corinthians 5:8 mentions “being absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. He
made it to the only place that mattered. Being with God. Tom Carson was a great man and not
your average leader. Carson was such an ordinary pastor-but he was a forgiven man.” (Carson,
2008, p. 148)
Conclusion
Overall, in this analysis, I have learned what it takes to be an exceptional leader in
ministry. Identifying a good shepherd leader and supporting their service as God has given
instructions. God gives us shepherds after his own heart, and those who choose to take that walk
of faith will endure challenges, but by focusing on scripture and submitting your ways to the will
of God, we all can become the leaders that God ordained us to be. Just like Tom Carson,
persevering only shows that we are walking in true calling. For ministry leaders, what may work
for one ministry, may not be the same as what works for another. There are different leadership
models. As for Shepherd leadership, this should be the focus of the Christian Church. A Shepherd
leader should always be able to maintain order within their ministries, as well as provide
adequate training and nurture them to be the best at what they are doing. With Shepherd
leadership comes great sacrifice, and one should develop a heart and a passion to serve. A good
Shepherd leader will see the benefits of their leadership style as well as how it impacts those that
follow them. Gunther is another author who also explains the role of leadership and when it
pertains to shepherd leadership.
SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP ANALYSIS 6
References
Carson, D.A. (2008). Memoirs of an ordinary pastor. The life and reflections of Tom Carson (1st
ed.). Crossway Books
Forrest, B. (2021). Reflections on Shepherd Leadership [Video]. Canvas.liberty.edu/courses/
576040/assignments/9146971?module_item_id=62096949. Retrieved March 6, 2024,
https://libertyuniversity.edu
Gill's Exposition on the Entire Bible. Bible hub website.
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/psalms/23.htm
Gunther, Nathan H. (2016) “For the Flock: Impetus for Shepherd Leadership in John 10,”
Journal Of Applied Christian Leadership: Vol. 10: No. 1. 8-18.
Resane, K.T. (2014). Leadership for the church. The shepherd models. Hervormde Teologiese
Studies, 70 (1), 1-6.
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-
journals/leadership-church-shepherd-model/doc view/1680763739/se-2
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