Metaphors for the moment

[MoxleyJ]

I have often wondered how the term "shepherd" translate to a 21st century urban listener. Laniak's thesis is well researched, including the obvious Old and New Testament references we would expect. But he also includes Ancient Near East references as well as beginning the topic with a discussion of Plato and Aristotle!!! (Plato would be suspicious of the value of a metaphor).

What can we, who have never seen sheep up close and personal (save for the petting zoo) glean about pastoral leadership? This is the value of the metaphor. To fully engage in pastoral leadership without this historically rich metaphor leaves us with a "CEO" type of leadership. Much has been written about Leadership. Some of my favorites are Leadership Secrets of Atilla the Hun, Reagan on Leadership, and Make it So: Leadership Lessons from Star Trek: The Next Generation. (Note No Maxwell Books here, but they do have good story illustrations). The Shepherd is a "metaphor" the church and church leaders need.