Shepherding is the single most important image of leadership in the Bible. From actual shepherds such as Moses and David to the apostles calling early church elders to pastor their flocks, biblical leadership is embodied in the humble, vigilant, everyday work of shepherds.

To better understand this metaphor, Tim Laniak spent months among Bedouin shepherds in the Middle East. Combining this rich cultural experience with careful biblical study, Laniak offers 40 short readings that explore every leader’s responsibility to provide, protect, and guide. Each reading begins with observations from Laniak’s travels, continues with investigations into Bible stories about shepherding, and concludes with what this means for you in your own spheres of influence, whether in the home, church, or neighborhood.

NOTE: This book was previously published as While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks.

Scripture says, "I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding" (Jeremiah 3:15).Most of Israel's pastoral imagery is grounded in two traditions: Moses as God's under-shepherd and David as shepherd-king. These traditions, explains author Timothy S. Laniak, provided prototypes for leaders that followed, and formed the background for the ministry of Jesus, the good shepherd. The pastoral role was central to the ongoing life of local churches in the Christian movement, and today's pastors are still called to be shepherds after God's own heart, to lead his people, living on the margins of settled society, to their eternal home.In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Laniak draws on a wide range of Old and New Testament texts to develop the biblical theology of "shepherd" imagery, and concludes with some principles and implications for contemporary pastoral ministry.A wonderful resource for pastors, teachers and seminary students, as well as readers interested in the study of biblical imagery.Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles.