The Stand: Man as Shepherd-Lord

The Stand: Man as Shepherd-Lord

8 men (most fresh off Jamboree’s #F3Centurion soul-crushing but a few guilty fartsackers) gathered in the Carmel/51 Panera for the weekly rendition of #F3TheStand.  Today’s topic was Chapter 5 of “The Masculine Mandate” entitled Man as Shepherd-Lord.  To focus on our roles as shepherd-leaders, we took a closer look at Psalms 23…from the perspective of the shepherd.  Here’s a look at some points we discussed.

The Thang

The Three Main Tasks of the Shepherd-Lord

1. Guiding
2. Protecting
3. Caring

Shepherd-Leadership in Psalms 23

Guiding –> Verses 1-3: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.

• The shepherd-leader of a family, church, or business must be able to point his followers in the right direction and guide them safely.
• “I lack nothing” – Leaders will make sure those we serve get what they need, when they need it.
• “green pastures” and “quiet waters” – Leaders will make sure those we serve receive the teaching they need.
• “refreshes my soul” – Leaders will make sure those we serve feel encouraged and lifted up. The shepherd looks for “cast down” sheep so the he can lift them back to their feet.

Protecting –> Verses 4-5a:  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

• Leaders will not hesitate to guide and correct, for the protection of those we serve.
  • The rod was hand carved wooden club that was custom fit and used to defend the sheep against predators.
  • The staff is a long pole with a crook at the end. It was used to pull sheep closer to the shepherd when they are going astray.
• Leaders guide and comfort those we serve based on our own experience, to preserve and protect them.

Caring –> Verses 5b-6: You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

• The shepherd anoints the sheep with oil to clean wounds and keep flies and other biting insects away.
  • Leaders help solve the problems of those we serve and act to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
• “my cup overflows” – The result of good leadership is the joy and contentment of those we serve.
• Good leadership produces loyalty. Providing a true sense of belonging is one of the most caring gifts a leader can give to those we serve.

Summary

1. Guiding – The shepherd-lord guides the sheep on the right path. Who guides the shepherd-lord?
2. Protecting – The shepherd-lord leads through the darkest valley. Who calms the fears of and protects the shepherd-lord?
3. Caring – The shepherd-lord anoints the sheep. Who binds up the shepherd-lord?

________

“Christian leaders must likewise learn to measure our success in the security and inspiration of those who follow us, in their growing confidence and ability, and in the achievements of others rather than our own.” – The Masculine Mandate

2 Samuel 23: 3-4: “When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.” – King David

In other words, shepherd-lords are third.

Moleskin

Such a good discussion this morning on our role as shepherd-lords, as servant-leaders.

Even had a very applicable illustration on guiding, protecting and caring that Wing_Man gained from watching Wile E. Coyote and the Sheep Dog on @Boomerang with his kids.

Great group of men at #F3TheStand…but always room for you.