Shepherding is Leadership - Open heavens devotional by Pastor E. A Adeboye

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isa 49-51
SHEPHERDING IS LEADERSHIP
MEMORIZE: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1) READ: Psalm 23:1-2 Besides feeding the flock with fresh food, the shepherd also takes the sheep to a place where the pasture is rich and has enough for them to lie on. As a minister of God, it is important to create an impression in the minds of your hearers that whatever you may be discussing is only a tip of the iceberg; let them know you have much more awaiting them. This is one good reason for teaching in series. In addition to this, a shepherd is a leader (Psalm 23:2). He gives guidance to the sheep and directs them on where to go. This means the Shepherd must have vision, foresight and a sense of direction. If a leader does not know where he is going, how can he take his followers along? In providing leadership, you must be specific, using the Bible as the standard. To make a meaningful impact, you must be prepared to lead by example. It is easier for the flock to copy what they see you do than to obey what they hear you say. If what you teach fails to marry how you live, you will be confusing those you are supposed to lead. When you call for a general fast, do you partake of it? Do not call a meeting you will not attend! Another thing to note in Psalm 23:2 is that every sheep needs water. Every member of your congregation is thirsty for something: You are to determine how that thirst will be quenched. Every Pastor has tremendous impact on the flock in his care. How are you directing your family, group or church? The congregation will only access the water where the shepherd leads them to. Depending on the convictions and priority list of the leader, he directs his followers accordingly. Where are you leading your members or family to drink from? You can make them thirst for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. You can make them thirst for souls and prayer. This is healthy. Preaching only on prosperity amounts to leading the people beside troubled or rough waters. Prosperity alone does not satisfy. If you brand yourself a deliverance minister and that is all you talk about, your congregation will stop seeing Jesus and start to see and talk about demons. If you are miserly, those under you will be more miserly. If you are a giver, it will affect your congregation. ACTION POINT: Some leaders are misleading their congregation because they sincerely do not know where to go; Ask God for direction for all our leaders in this nation.