SHEPHERDING / LEADERSHIP (SPEAKING GIFTS)

The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by casting vision, simulating spiritual growth, applying strategies, and achieving success where God’s purposes are concerned. The divine enablement to lead, care for, and nurture individuals or groups in the Body as they grow in their faith.

People with this gift:

• Exhibit a tendency toward huge visions for God and the ability to inspire others to work toward accomplishing those visions for his glory, and to bless others.
• Are naturally drawn into leadership roles. Take responsibility to nurture the whole person in their walk with God.
• Provide guidance and oversight to a group of God’s people.
• Model with their life what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus.
• Establish trust and confidence through long-term relationships.
• Lead and protect those within their span of care.
• Find it easy to motivate people – both individually and in teams – to work together in achieving goals for God’s kingdom.
• Naturally grasp the “big picture”.
• Are able to let go of responsibility and delegate it to others who are qualified.

Traits: Influencing, nurturing, guiding, discipline, protective, supportive, and relational.

Cautions: People with this gift:

• Should remember that God judges those who neglect or abuse their oversight responsibilities.
• Need to be aware that the desire to feed and support others can make it difficult to say “no”.
• Should realize that some of those being nurtured will grow beyond the Sheppard’s own ability and need to be freed to do so.

References: Eph. 4:11-12, 1 Peter 5: 1-4, John 10: 1-18