A Title Means Nothing If The Role Is Not Fulfilled!

"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." (I Peter 5:2,3 NIV)

What does a good shepherd or a good leader do?

Being a good shepherd and being a good leader--in anything--means that the people are more important than the title. There are many people in leadership positions in churches who hold titles--pastor, bishop, apostle--and few of them are actually shepherds. How do we recognize them?

The shepherd realizes that those in the congregation are "not his/her people" but they have been given the responsibility to watch over the flock--feed them God's Word, correct them when they go astray, warn about impending dangers, and provide them direction and instruction they can use to teach others. How many church leaders are actually doing this? Many are more concerned about how "they can influence others with their sound or things they amass" and never take the time to get to know those in their congregation or what they need.

I remember being in a meeting that was not being held in a church when the man who was the pastor of the church I attended came in late, needing to be seen, and announced that he knew his flock. But he didn't recognize me as a member. I didn't say a word, but that struck a chord in me. He wasn't interested in serving the needs of the people because he didn't know what the people needed. Not long after that meeting, I left that church when bizarre behavior starting ruling.

The same is true for leaders of other non-church groups. Some people only want leadership positions because of a title. Titles mean absolutely nothing if the person holding the title is not fulfilling the duties. I've recently been involved with a parent-organization for the high school my grandson attends and discovered that the reigning president has not fulfilled their duties from the outset, but is now angry they were voted out of office. They were not interested in "doing the role" they obtained, but only in being a position they could use to bully others. What I don't understand is why. Holding a title means nothing and impresses no one if people don't do the job that goes with the title.

These have not been good examples for anyone; especially the children in knowing how to be a good leader and even more important in how to demonstrate good sportsmanship when losing--an election or a game. No character--no grace; no grace--no room for entitled personalities--who do nothing but create problems for others.

If what we do on any level is not done from pure motives--it will not succeed. God knows the heart and He watches all we do and He hears everything we say. We cannot hide from Him and when He exposes a person's true character, they can no longer hide from people.

In a position of leadership--we must always question our motives for being there and when we are incapable of fulfilling the role of that position, we must leave it to those who are capable and will do.