Book Review.
Andersen,
Lynn. They Smell Like Sheep (Volume 2)
Leading with the heart of a shepherd.
Howard Books. 2007.
Comment. Henry.
Lynn has
written a book that is directed mainly at pastors (shepherds) and their
congregations (sheep). Like so many book
titles, this one does not really hit the nail on the head. The subtitle is more to the point. Lynn comes from a very traditional evangelical
point of view and stresses fundamental issues of pastoral leadership with a
focus on the ‘heart’ and all that this analogy implies.
Being a
shepherd is all about the heart, a heart that is compelled by the glory of
God. Prayer is basic and marks the path
of a shepherd. The Psalms are crucial in
such praying.
The
development of integrity (of the heart) follows a pattern not unlike the
natural development of the (physical) body, i.e. childhood, adolescence, and
adulthood. The holiness of God shapes
the heart of integrity and is reflected by purity.
Effective
shepherding is about relationships with needy people. In order for the shepherd to feed his sheep
(teach the Word) he must be immersed in that Word as a disciple. This is a long term commitment.
Shepherding is
servant leadership with all its vulnerabilities, e.g. a broken heart. There is no retirement from this calling.
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