Tag Archive - ranching

Shepherding vs. Ranching: Part 2

April 25, 2008 in Ministry-Theology with 6 Comments

Shepherding vs. Ranching: Part 1

In the last post I looked at these two definitions:

Dictionary Definitions:

Shepherding: To herd, guard, tend, or guide as or in the manner of a shepherd.

Ranching: To manage or work on a ranch.

I like the words used in shepherding: herd, guard, tend and guide. Where as a rancher manages or works.

So when I’m asked the question, “Are you a rancher or a shepherd?”, the implication for me is whether or not I want to manage people, or guide them. Managing people is indicative of larger groups, more of a hands off model of leadership and overseeing. Where as guiding and tending reminds me of a very personal hands on experience of walking through life and mentoring people. Because of this, ranchers oversee larger spaces of land and people, and shepherds tend to smaller areas and less people.

This is what I believe is underneath the questions, and the observations of the two metaphors.

A few more questions:

  1. When you think of the tasks of being a pastor, which metaphor is best?
  2. Which metaphor do you prefer in your church leadership?
  3. Can a pastor be both a shepherd and rancher?  Or are they exclusive of one another?  Why or why not?

Shepherding vs. Ranching: Part 1

April 24, 2008 in Ministry-Theology with 4 Comments

Listen carefully to the metaphors people use in regards to ministry. They can tell you a lot about a person’s style of leadership, belief about Church structure, evangelism, etc. They seem innocuous enough, but they speak volumes in many ways.

I have been involved in some interesting discussions recently and a certain question has been bantered about.

“Are you a shepherd or a rancher?”

This is a question that many of us have been struggling with.

What does that mean? We can go in a lot of different directions. But what we come up with I believe has many implications for what kind of leader we are and want to be, and what we believe about ministry and the congregation.

Dictionary Definitions:

Shepherding: To herd, guard, tend, or guide as or in the manner of a shepherd.

Ranching: To manage or work on a ranch.

I can tease this out more, but I’m going to be posting more extensively on this issue.

But let me ask you a few questions:

  1. What are your initial thoughts, observations on that question?
  2. Do you see yourself as a rancher or shepherd?
  3. Is one preferable over the other? Why or why not?

I will then pick up on this issue later in the week.