What does Leadership look like to you? – Evans Hundermark

I have always put a lot of emphasis on the leadership style and sometimes missed out on the context in which a leader serves. Different circumstances a leader faces may require different leadership styles. I remember while serving on a short term missions trip to the country of Lesotho in Southern Africa, becoming fascinated by the shepherds in that country. I noticed that they would lead their sheep differently depending on what the sheep needed at any given point or what the circumstances facing the sheep demanded.

For example, if the sheep were facing danger (like a predator or oncoming mountain storm, or it was dark and the road unclear) the shepherd would lead boldly from the front of the herd, putting himself between the sheep and the danger, and the sheep would follow him to safety. If on the other hand, it was a pleasant day and all was well, the shepherd would lead gently from behind the sheep with the herd strung out before him, and the shepherd calling affirmations and encouragements to guide the sheep to water or to pasture. Sometimes the shepherd would even walk beside the sheep talking to them and calming them with the strong assuring sound of his voice.

Was this how I was to lead, allowing the context of my circumstances to demand the leadership style needed instead of chasing after becoming a certain type of leader? Could the mountain shepherds of Lesotho have some wisdom to share with me – After all, I was called to be a shepherd!

There are two things I realized about this type of ‘shepherd leadership’:

• There has to be trust between the sheep and the shepherd: The sheep have to believe that the shepherd will care for and protect them. There has to be trust from them towards the shepherd – most times though trust needs to be built and is established on the relationship the shepherd builds with his sheep. How we relate and connect with the sheep God has placed in our care goes a long way in establishing trust. It is no accident that Jesus says in John 10:27-30 that “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…” – the word ‘hear’ and ‘follow’ are linked here and the unmentioned bridge between the two is ‘trust’. Does the flock, God has lent you, trust you and believe that you care for and love them? Do you know them and do they know you?

• The shepherd has to be aware of what leadership style is needed for the particular circumstances the sheep may be facing: Do they need a strong voice commanding them forward or in a particular direction? Do they need a gentle reaffirming voice encouraging them onward? Over the last two years pastoring my church, there have been times when I have had to discern the direction of our church and stand firm on that decision. There have been other times where I have had to visit and sit with folk and gently urge them to be where I know God wants us to be. It is the wise, humble, and caring leader who can most effectively discern what style of leadership is needed and when it is needed. What style of leadership is demanded in the circumstances your church is facing right now?

I am no expert in ‘leadership’, just a shepherd called by God trying to be the best shepherd I can be. Sometimes it is clear to me on what I need to do, at other times I just seem to ‘stumble’ on the correct course of action – maybe it is the Spirit nudging me forward!

My hope is that in the small observations I have made, and in the victories I have experienced, that I can encourage you to move forward boldly, courageously, and become a slightly more effective leader tomorrow than what you were today. And remember, the sole purpose of our role as shepherds is to point our flocks to the Great Shepherd of the shepherds, that Great Hope of all hopes, Jesus. May we fill our churches’ hearts with such compelling visions of Jesus and His glory that they will gladly follow us so that both their journey and our task will be one of joy and of hope!

And now may the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace as together we trust in Him, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (inspired by Romans 15:13).