Noble Leaders, Noble Task

It is often noted that Psalm 23 is the most loved portion of Scripture. That the poem is so widely appreciated, even by those who claim no allegiance to the Bible, reveals something about human need. We desire to be led by those whom we can trust, who are genuinely aware of and care about the difficulties that life presents, who offer stability in the midst of uncertainty, and who give us a vision for the future that fosters hope. David poetically expresses as much when he describes God’s shepherding care of him. Perhaps this is why the psalm is so beloved. It anticipates the basic aims that current research has shown to be necessary components of leadership. If a leader is to have a positive influence on those who follow he or she must inspire trust, compassion, stability, and hope.

Upon examination, the qualifications that Paul lists for those who aspire to oversight in the church (1 Timothy 3:1-7) can be said to fall under those same four headings. They ought, therefore, to be present in all would-be shepherds. It can be the case, however, that elders are chosen because of their success in business, or popularity among the congregation, or political influence in the community at large. They might be chosen just because they have been in the church for a long time and it seems the honorable thing to do. While such traits do not disqualify a candidate, they are not sufficient for the task of shepherding God’s people. Elders need to be men who can be trusted, who are compassionate, who offer stability, and who foster hope, no matter how successful or popular they may or may not be.

That being said, Paul teaches that those who aspire to be an elder desire a noble task. This is due to the gospel impact of the office. When humanity rebelled against the person and purpose of God, they threw off the watch-care that David so warmly extols. This placed them in a perilous place in the universe. Having become subject to every wind of doctrine, we have been tossed about, as Paul says elsewhere, “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Ephesians 4:14; Matthew 9:36). Jesus, the “good shepherd,” in love and compassion, gave his life for the sheep so that they might be brought back under the shepherding care of God (John 10). Those who are under-shepherds of the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4) participate in his gospel enterprise by exercising leadership marked by the traits that he possessed without measure — traits that people desire, that people need. A willingness to pursue the kind of maturity and grace reflected in the qualifications Paul offers, is a noble undertaking for they will be called upon in a noble task.