What Kind of Shepherd are You?
by Tim Cole
When church leaders start talking about the metaphor of the pastor-shepherd oft used in Scripture to illustrate the elder role, most of us immediately envision the stereotypical shepherd image, staff in hand, leading his sheep. Lately, however, I’m more convinced our role as elder is far better illustrated by the sheepdog who works with the Good Shepherd to protect and lead the sheep.
So, what kind of (canine) shepherd are you?
My family has two dogs as pets. One of them, “Blue,” is a fierce-looking Siberian Husky. The markings on Blue’s face, accentuated by furrowed eyebrows, make him look relentlessly angry. He looks the part. But when trouble comes onto our property Blue is a pansy. He is the first to literally roll over and surrender.
Our other dog is Marley. Marley is a beautiful, sweet Australian shepherd. On the outside, Marley looks gentle and friendly. But when trouble comes onto our property Marley immediately switches into an aggressive protection mode. Those evil men delivering Amazon Prime packages are surprised daily by his fierce tenacity.
Church leaders can often fall into similar categories. On the outside, some look the part, like the Husky - tough and strong. But when trouble threatens the health, security, or unity of the flock they are the first to figuratively roll over and surrender. Others, like the Australian Shepherd, look gentle and friendly on the outside. But when trouble threatens the flock from without or within, they immediately switch into an assertive protection mode.
Our two dogs relax differently, too. Blue, the Husky, sleeps most of the day out on our back porch. Much of the time he sleeps upside down, belly up, in an awkward, tangled mess. He is oblivious to any creatures within even a few feet of him as he sleeps. Rabbits often roam the yard near him even though his predator instincts could end their existence in seconds. He’s too lazy for that.
On the other hand, Marley, though relaxed, is always on watch, monitoring and scanning our property for intruders or danger. My mother likes to call him “Ranger” instead of Marley. In the middle of the night, even the slightest sound in our house elicits alarm from Marley, who’s perpetually ready to protect our family from unseen threats. Why is he like this, you may ask? It’s simple – he’s a shepherd, and that’s what shepherd breeds do. They actively monitor and guard the flock. They are overseers, watching over their flock.
Church leaders often mirror that contrast. Some are too lazy or oblivious to notice the threats and dangers just a few feet away, even when those threats are obvious. Others, like the shepherd breed, though relaxed, are always on watch, monitoring for danger. When indoors, we’ve noticed that Marley strategically positions himself in the room where he can see and monitor everyone in the room. If we move, he moves. He’s always on watch.
Our shepherd, Marley, is faithful in his presence as well. He never runs off our property chasing something that has distracted him. Our Husky, however, often scurries off the property distracted by a squirrel or a deer. We never know when he will come back. When Blue has run off, our shepherd, Marley, becomes even more attentive than usual and will not rest until Blue finds his way back home.
Elders are faithful, too. They are committed to staying with and protecting the church family. They will not be lured by outside distractions that take them from their post. But in the same way, when a family has run away, they never rest until that family member returns to the flock for protection, care, and encouragement.
What kind of sheepdog are you? You are a canine shepherd working with the Good Shepherd to lead and guard your flock.
