Change can be difficult. We need leaders who will help people navigate change, not dictate what they must do. Shepherding does that for people. Consider how 1 Peter 5:2-4 can apply to leaders helping people through change.
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
What Leaders Need to be Shepherds Who Help People Navigate Change
- Notice the perspective of a shepherd in the change process.
We begin by understanding that the sheep aren’t ours but belong to the Lord. He has put them “under your care” as “those entrusted to you” according to 1 Peter 5:2-4.
We shouldn’t expect blind trust from people in changes we want to make. At the end of the day, we’re all accountable to the Chief Shepherd. Rather than put ourselves up as the one to follow, we should point people to Chief Shepherd who is both good and great. When it’s about following Him, people can say, “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” (Ps. 23:4). Change can be unnerving but with the Chief Shepherd walking through it with us, we have a Protector, Guide, and Encourager.
- We need the motivation of a shepherd in making and managing change.
Making changes shouldn’t be about our own personal gain or benefit. It isn’t about tending to our own needs and preferences. If we’re driven by personal agendas it’s easy to become manipulative in the process, even dishonest. Shepherds, however, have the needs and desires of the people at the core of what they do. They make it about serving rather than being served.
- As a shepherd we have the task of watching over the flock.
Watching over them is very different than micromanaging or dictating what happens. The Greek word, episkopeo, comes from the root words “epi” meaning upon and “skopeo” meaning, to look at, contemplate. As shepherds in the change process, we thus have the task of looking upon people in such as way that we contemplate what’s needed to help people navigate change well. It’s easy to get impatient with people resistant to change. Yet, God wants us, as shepherds, to consider their needs, being willing and eager to serve them. When we determine what people need to navigate change, then we lead by example.
Check Out This Resource: Shepherding Ministry Manual
For More: Resources to Help Leaders in Their Role as Shepherds
All Posts about Change Management:
- Managing Change According to Church Purpose?
- Body Life Critical to Change Management
- Body Life Provides Safeguards During Change
- Overcoming Resistance to Change
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Thinking
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Attitudes
- Managing Change Well Takes Christ-like Actions
- Power to Navigate Change Well
- Power of Gospel Gives Perspective in Change Management
- Grace Bookend Your Change Process?
- The Spirit Helps Us Navigate Change
- Power for Change in the Name of the Lord
- Change in His Name
- Change For His Name’s Sake
- Change Possible Because of Resurrection Power
- A Change Process Leading to Growth
- Usefulness of Scripture in Change Management
- Bible Verses to Help in the Change Process
- Need to Make Changes? First Ask, Seek, Knock.
- Guiding People to Navigate Change Well
- Servants Not Controllers of the Change Process
- Shepherds Help People Navigate Change
- Navigating Change May Require Demolishing Strongholds