Tag: Sheep

Pursuing Shepherds

March 21, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Shepherds must diligently pursue sheep that struggle and wander away.

I’ve never known of a situation in the Bible where literal sheep went after other sheep that wandered off. Every time, it is the shepherd who goes after the one.

Another interesting fact is the shepherd did not wait for weeks or months to see if the sheep might come back to the fold. Shepherds check their sheep every night. If one is missing, the shepherd goes looking.

We understand this physically, but do not always see it practiced spiritually.

Shepherds must not allow sheep to wander off. They need to check on them, see where they are struggling, and find ways to provide needed assistance.

We need good shepherds.

Connected Shepherds

March 20, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

As I get older, I see how easy it is to be disconnected, even reclusive from the world, world events, and activities, especially what a younger generation faces every day. It may be in the home, at school, on the job, or in the community.

Shepherds, who tend to be older (by God’s design), can easily become isolated from the world. When this happens, they are challenged to help provide solid biblical answers for these challenges when they are asked.

Take time with the sheep to learn about the battles they fight and focus on how to provide biblical answers to help them fight the good fight of faith.

We need good shepherds.

Protective Shepherds

March 17, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Shepherds carry a responsibility to protect the sheep.

Consider some of the dangers people face in our world today. Just to name a few: complacency, apathy, anxiety, discouragement, frustration, fatigue, etc. People are constantly bombarded with immoral, unethical, and spiritual confusion.

Young people deal with the racism, pornography, gambling, humanism, evolutionary teachings, and a plethora of religious teachings that add to the confusion.

Shepherds must also handle the challenges of sheep that can’t get along with each other. The problems of ego, pride, personality conflicts, opinions, and a general lack of love for one another continue to make shepherding difficult.

We need good shepherds.

Knowing the Shepherds

March 7, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

While shepherds need to know the sheep, it is also vital for the sheep to know their shepherds.

For this to take place, it requires shepherds to be in the homes of those they lead and have the sheep in their own home. In fact, having the sheep in the shepherd’s home should be first.

Shepherds need to promote greater transparency and intimacy. When this happens, they will soon be seen as approachable, and deeper discussions allow members to open up and share the challenges, struggles, temptations, difficulties, and the joys experienced in their lives.

At this point, true shepherding occurs and relationships blossom as greater connections are made.

Knowing the Sheep

March 6, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

What does it means to know the sheep? The task is not easy and will require much of the shepherd. I am not referring to knowing “facts” about the sheep (whose sick, in the hospital, etc.). I am talking about knowing their strengths, weaknesses, their struggles, where they are tempted, etc.

Sadly, there are too many shepherds today that never see members outside of the building Sunday and/or Wednesday.

Knowing the sheep requires spending time with them, demonstrating a greater level of approachability.

Unapproachable shepherds are often seen as intimidating, and they are usually unaware of it. They can be seen as harsh, abrasive, standoffish, and above everyone else.

When time is spent together in each other’s homes, this changes.

Jesus

March 5, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10). Within this text, we find ideas expressed that relate to the responsibility of shepherding the church today.

One of the fundamental elements is knowing the sheep. Notice how Jesus claimed, “I know My own and My own know Me” (Jn. 10:14).

Earlier in this text, Jesus said the sheep hear the voice of the shepherd and they follow because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger. Instead, they flee from him because they do not know the “voice of strangers” (vv. 3-5).

Sheep need to hear the voice of their shepherds, and this foundational element of shepherding involves knowing the sheep.

Shepherds

March 3, 2025 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

I’ve heard the term “elder” used for men appointed to oversee, manage, or pastor the church. The use of this term is biblical, as well as the various terms associated with it.

In recent years, the term shepherd has been used more frequently. Why this change? Does the use of one over the other help us understand more clearly the role needed today?

The idea of shepherding often brings Psalm 23 to mind where David said, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

While it is difficult for most of us to understand the literal work of shepherding sheep, the Bible reveals ideas that can help us think more about shepherds.

Proficient

August 30, 2022 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Leaders must be technically proficient. There are two primary areas where this principle has direct application.

First, leaders need to know their job. They need to know what they are supposed to be doing. When they do not, the result is disastrous for the overall production of the group and task.

Second, leaders need to be familiar with the job responsibilities of others. Unless leaders know the job responsibilities of others and provide accountability for the work, progress becomes dependent on leadership to carry on the work.

From a spiritual perspective, when leaders are no proficient we find sheep without a shepherd.

Role of the Shepherd…#8

December 27, 2019 bobturner Daily Leadership, Uncategorized 0 Comments

The final statement is perhaps the most beautiful part of this prayer. Jesus says, “I have given them the glory that you gave me.” 

Ultimately, the role of the shepherd is to give sheep the glory God.

The glory Jesus received from the Father is of epic proportions. The reason he gave it was so that the apostles would be united, one as he was one with the Father.

Shepherds, it is the glory of God given to the sheep that provides a basis for unity, that we might all be one.

What a fitting way to conclude the role of the shepherd from Jesus’ prayer.

Role of the Shepherd…#7

December 26, 2019 bobturner Daily Leadership, Uncategorized 0 Comments

The next thought expressed is one that aligns with the Great Commission. Jesus says, “I have sent them into the world.”

Although not of the world, they were in the world and had a task to complete. 

When “church” is confined to the building, shepherds stop short of understanding the significance of this role. When the sheep assemble together, it is time to encourage, strengthen, build up, and prepare them to be sent into the world.

Shepherds, always remember that the time spent with sheep to equip them to be sent into the world makes the difference in how the sheep survive and return from the battles ahead.

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