Africa Study Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 87
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streams of fresh water. This requires selflessness
on the shepherd’s part and a motivation of deep
compassion (Mark 6:34; John 11:33-35). Real
shepherds commit to the protection of their people and agree to risk their lives for them. David
fought against the lion and the bear to protect his
flock (1 Samuel 17:37), just as Jesus Christ gave
his own life for his followers. Likewise, leaders
in Africa must protect their people through just
laws, fair economic practices, and transparent
administrative systems.
Thus, though the people may not be able to provide for their leaders (and the leaders may not be
rich enough to meet the needs of the people out
of their own wealth) as in the old days in Africa,
people can still follow them. The people will follow
because of the vision, the care, and the commitment to guide them to the place of their fulfilment.
Moreover, shepherds have a deep relationship
with their flocks. Sometimes, shepherds lead
from the front to set the direction. In this case, it
takes trust for the flock to follow, just as it requires
trust for the leaders to keep going, assured that
the followers are behind them.
At other times, shepherds lead from the side,
where the flock can feel closeness and intimacy.
But shepherds also lead from the back when they
compel the flock to move, especially at the end
of the day.
Whether shepherds lead the flock from the
front, the side, or the back, shepherds are an example of a deep relationship between leaders
and their followers based on the compassion and
the vision for the good of the ones being led. The
fulfilment leaders receive does not derive from
the applause and rewards of the people but from
the difference that their service makes in terms
of the growth and development of their people.
The Leader as Servant
Servanthood is another helpful metaphor of
leadership as modelled by Jesus Christ. When
Jesus lived in Palestine, his perspective was
contrary to social norms. In fact, it was revolutionary. Responding to the disciples who were
debating about greatness (Mark 10:42-45; Luke
22:24-27), Jesus pointed to the servant as the
greatest. He later washed his disciples’ feet,
demonstrating servanthood as real greatness
(John 13:12-17).
In a world where leadership has most often been
valued for the benefits it may secure for the leader,
servant leadership provides a new basis for leaders
who desire to make a difference for God’s Kingdom. Servant leaders demonstrate their genuine
and selfless motivation. Jesus himself models true
servant leadership that is grounded in a clear sense
of identity and purpose (John 13:3-4). Servant leaders spend time with their people. They get to know
them (Mark 3:13-14) and empower them through
teaching, mentoring, and coaching (Matthew 5–6;
Luke 10:19-20). They admonish them as needed
(Matthew 16:21-24; Luke 9:54-56). They offer guidance by responding to their people’s deepest needs
and questions (Matthew 28:18-20; John 11:25-26;
14:6; 16:33). They encourage and console them
(John 14:1-3; 15:18-21), and they constantly point
to Kingdom values and perspectives.
True Authenticity Is a Source of Power
Leadership is often perceived today in terms of
the position and privileges of one who considers himself “a big man.” But the values of shepherding and servanthood can lead to true authenticity that becomes a real source of power
for leaders.
In Africa today, we need leaders who can lead
by the consistent example of ethical values and
principles that shape their lives, both in public
and in private. We need leaders with a genuine
care and compassion for their followers. We need
leaders who will in word and deed constantly
point to the model of Jesus Christ as the vision
that consumes them.
Points to Remember
• Organizations in Africa—from local groups to national governments—are searching for leaders
who have the ability to guide, the character to trust, and worthy ideas to pursue.
• Most leaders in Africa today pattern their leadership style after that of precolonial kings, but
without the context that made a king effective. The result has been abuses, corruption, and
exploitation of those being led.
• The Bible says godly leaders should be like shepherds. The fulfilment such leaders receive does
not come from the applause of their followers but from the difference that their service makes
in the growth and development of their followers.
• The Bible says godly leaders should be like servants. Such leaders demonstrate genuine and
selfless motivation. They spend time with their people, get to know them, empower them, and
admonish them as needed. And they constantly point to Kingdom values and perspectives.