My 2¢ on Church Leadership: Entrepreneur and Shepherd Together
Someone told me recently that they were having a hard time figuring out if I should be leading a church or in a think tank group. I’m certain that it was a compliment and a concern at the same time. The statement has stuck with me and I’ve decided that I really like being a part of the ideas for the future, but I want to be a part of bringing those ideas into reality. Does that make me an entrepreneur?
In a recent post, Carey Nieuwhof has built on a dialog with Karl Vaters about the how the church is in need of a shift, particularly in the way we value size and leadership.
Why We Need More Entrepreneurial Church Leaders, Not More Shepherds | careynieuwhof.com.
Carey has proposed the elevation of the value of “spiritual entrepreneurs” versus the traditional elevation of those who are “shepherds.” As I have dialoged with two friends on this issue, one suggested changing the term shepherd to “chaplain” and the other suggested we needed to see more “entrepreneurial shepherds.” Both of these guys are leaders in the church and so one could assume these two are pushing back on the change by trying to find a midway point while conceding a need for change. Like many situations, I can see multiple sides.
My first thoughts on Carey’s post was “why can’t we do a better job of teaming up entrepreneurs and shepherds?”
Typically, we see entrepreneurs as risk taking, convention breaking, action-oriented leaders. While shepherds are seen as care giving, tradition guarding, consensus-oriented leaders. Is there a way to combine those two?
Some might search for combining them into one person. I think that is a lofty, idealistic goal that won’t work. I do think we can work hard to team up a entrepreneur and a shepherd.
When was the last time you tried to dive your car with only the gas pedal? How about the brake only? We know this is foolish! To drive, it requires a healthy use of both the brake and the gas pedal. There is often a coordination between the two of them, and possibly a third (the clutch).
I remember learning to drive a standard transmission in Clarksville, TN. There was a particular hill heading into downtown that had a stop light at the top of it. I was paranoid that I would be caught at that light! I was afraid that I would not be able to properly coordinate the clutch, brake, and gas (three pedals, two feet) in order to take off when the light turned green. Eventually, I was faced with the challenge. Fortunately, I had been driving long enough by the time this arose that I was able to move ahead without sliding back into the car behind me.
It is true for too many years, the greater church has been riding the brakes. As shepherds have led through consensus and care, it has gone slower than many (like myself) would prefer. Those of us with a “heavy right foot” have been pining for the chance to open things up and see how far and fast we can go! As the culture shifts around the church, it feels like maybe we should just lay on the gas! I get it.
Yet, what if we need to work in tandem rather than in opposition. If you are wired as a shepherd can you help an entrepreneur? If you are an entrepreneur, can you help a shepherd?
As we read through Ephesians 4, the entrepreneur (the gas pedal) is closer to the apostle and evangelist. The shepherd (the brake) looks more like the pastor and teacher. I maybe wrong, but I think the prophet is the clutch. The point is, Jesus appointed each for his church so that the church would be fully equipped for the mission.
It’s time we stop elevating one over the other. It takes each of us. Today, we need to be innovative and bold about trying new things and reclaiming what hell has stolen from the kingdom. We also need to keep in mind that the church is a community designed to be caring and compassionate for those inside and outside our assemblies and fellowships.
How radical would it be for congregations, denom groups, networks, etc. to be intentional about pairing up entrepreneurs and shepherds. What would the church look like under those circumstances?
Count me in! I want to pair up! Any shepherds up to joining up?