While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks: Reflections on Biblical Leadership

by Timothy Laniak

Publisher:

ShepherdLeader

, 2007

Overview

While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks: Reflections on Biblical Leadership is a lavishly illustrated journey into the world of shepherds—shepherds of the biblical world and the spiritual shepherds of the church. The realities and rewards of leadership are brought to life through this illuminating and insightful look at the ancient image of shepherds. Experience this wondrous opportunity to think biblically about your calling to serve Jesus Christ and the expectations that come with being a shepherd leader, the compassionate and courageous commitment to provide for, protect, and guide those under your care. Take this forty day journey and experience a life changing encounter with the Divine Shepherd. Become a shepherd after God's own heart by rediscovering true biblical leadership.

Forty days of reflections will give readers an opportunity to think biblically about their calling to serve the Chief Shepherd. This book is for pastors and other congregational leaders, Christian business leaders, chaplains, teachers, counselors, coaches, and parents.

Key Features

• Forty reflections on pastoral leadership
• Biographical vignettes of shepherds in the modern Middle East
• Rich and colorful photos
• Key texts on shepherds and sheep
• Forward by Haddon Robinson

Contents

Top Highlights

“Biblically, the wilderness is a place of dependent, disciplined, purifying solitude where God must be trusted. Deserts bring people quickly to the end of their self-sufficiency and independence.” (Page 24)

“One of my common questions was, ‘What does it take to be a shepherd?’” (source)

“‘My sons don’t have the heart for this work so they don’t deserve the business. I’ll sell the flocks to someone else before I let my sheep go to those who don’t care for them.’” (Page 30)

“Shepherding requires a wide range of competencies and tasks, but they understand that it begins with a compassionate heart for individual sheep.” (Page 36)

“Perhaps we do feed our people well, but do not teach them how to feed themselves. We ignore their habits of browsing on sickening trash, and the vacuous options and synthetic substitutes that our culture puts under their noses. There is a famine of God’s word in our time. There are ‘great crowds with nothing to eat.’^a If we ‘send them away hungry, they may collapse on the way.’^b Let’s nourish God’s flock back to health with the transforming words of life. And insist on some discriminating browsing.” (Page 63)

Praise for the Print Edition

Real-life stories of the rugged nomadic lives of shepherds bring to life numerous Scriptures to teach us the hard lessons of leadership. Leaders are called to be not only tender and loving, but also tough and disciplined.

—John M. Perkins, President, The John M. Perkins Foundation

More than an inspirational read, this book is a timely invitation into the shepherd’s world which will compel you to reflect on your Christian life and leadership with a new sense of awe and assurance. Be prepared to be taken deeper in your spiritual journey as you embark on this forty-day retreat.

—Barry Corey, President, Biola University

Accomplishing what few authors can, Laniak creates powerful images with fascinating stories, exegetical insights, and stunning photos, bringing biblical leadership to life for pastors and lay leaders alike. I recommend this theologically integrated, visually stimulating, and thoroughly spiritual journey for today’s shepherd leaders.

—James F. Cobble, Jr. Founder, Institute of Church Leadership

Laniak brings to life the realties and rewards of leadership by illuminating a centuries-old image. Reading his fascinating anthropological observations and rich scriptural insights will make spiritual shepherds anywhere in the world better leaders and better followers.

—Samuel J. Voorhies, Director, International Leadership Development, World Vision International

Laniak invites us to pause beside still waters and consider forty inspiring and practical lessons at the intersection of biblical scholarship, organizational leadership and ministry practice. Anyone entrusted with ministry responsibilities will be treated to exceptional leadership insights, welcome guidance, and rare encouragement to renew their passion for attending to the needs of God’s flock.

—Mark W. McCloskey, Lead Faculty, Transformational Leadership, Bethel Seminary

A breath of fresh air for pastors and lay leaders alike. While so many leadership books focus on methodology, this book addresses the heart of ministry. Dr. Laniak masterfully rehearses the wide spectrum of pastoral theology that pervades the Scriptures. His personal experience among shepherds adds significant insight in understanding both Scripture and real life ministry. I'm recommending it as must-reading for all my students!

—S. Donald Fortson, Associate Professor of Church History and Practical Theology Reformed Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks: Reflections on Biblical Leadership
• Author: Tim Laniak
• Publisher: Shepherd Leader Publications
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 278

About Timothy Laniak

Dr. Timothy Laniak has been the academic dean of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte Campus); professor of Old Testament since 1997.

Dr. Laniak served as a missionary in 15 countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as the director of the International Fellowship House in Boston, and as a welfare housing manager for elderly immigrants in Brookline, MA. He launched the Urban Ministry Program at the Charlotte campus and directed it for eight years.

Dr. Laniak has fostered a lifelong interest in the intersection of cultures and Scripture. His publishing began with a social-scientific commentary, Shame and Honor in the Book of Esther. He spent two years studying in Israel, including one year of research that formed the basis for his books Shepherds After My Own Heart and While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks. While researching, he was the annual professor at the Albright Institute for Archaeological Research in Jerusalem. He periodically leads study tours to the region. He is also on the Chairman's Advisory Council of the Overseas Council, an organization dedicated to furthering the training of Christian leaders worldwide.

Dr. Laniak also holds other leadership positions in both public and church-based education. He is a founding board member of the Union Academy Charter School in Monroe, NC. He is also the director of Shepherd Leader Ministries, a ministry focused on equipping leaders to think biblically about their roles.