Herding Cats?

Perhaps you remember the commercial of the rugged cowboys riding across the prairie ropes in hand. Due to historical reference you think they are herding cattle but then as the camera pans out, your senses are momentarily confused as you see thousands of   .  .  .  .  . cats.  

I really do not remember the point of the commercial but I do remember those cats. I also remember thinking “you cannot herd cats; everyone knows that, especially if you ever owned one.”

So what makes us think we can herd people? More to the point… why do some leaders default to “driving” people rather than leading? Perhaps it is because:

• It feeds our ego to think we are in charge.
• It requires little leadership skill.
• It takes less time to give orders than to give instruction.
• It can be done without building relationships.

One of the joys of my life is working with some incredible Christian leaders both within the ministry of Word of Life and in other ministries across the country. Here are some of the things I have learned as I have watched them minister and “just do life.”

• They love God and love people.
• They view leadership as a privilege not a position.
• They do not see people as projects.
• They take time to build relationships.
• They are accessible and sensitive.
• They focus on building people not using them.
• They are constantly growing and learning.
• They have teachable spirits.
• They do not tell people what to think: they teach them how to think.
• They are fully aware of the Biblical responsibility of leadership.

In 1 Peter 5:2-3 leaders are reminded to shepherd, serve and lead the flock of God by example. We often think of Peter as impetuous and even overbearing but it appears that he still caught the heartbeat of our Savior on leadership.