Stand in the Gap

Sub-title – Guideline # 4: A Servant Leader Protects His People

I’m writing again for my “Manual for Servant Leaders Who Insanely Love to Serve God Despite Harassments and Frustrations.” (If I keep repeating that title it just might stick:))

It has taken me quite some time to write Guideline #4. Maybe because this is one of the hardest things a servant leader must do for his people – stand in the gap. Protect those the Lord has given you to shepherd.

There might be times when someone bypasses you as head and takes your members to task for something they did. There might be times when your group’s wellbeing or interest is compromised. There might be times when a given policy is inimical to them.

These are just a few instances a servant leader must step up to defend his sheep.

It’s so much easier to take the pacifist stance and say, “The Lord will take care of them. Let’s just exercise the virtue of patience.” And off you go to float in your cloud, tinkle a few notes on your harp and twirl your halo.

But remember the bracelet that was very popular among young people a few years back that had these letters, WWJD? (As a matter of fact, teen-agers desired it so much, one or two shoplifted bracelets from our store. They didn’t know the letters stood for “What Would Jesus Do?”)

I asked myself that question, “What would Jesus do in a situation where my member’s welfare is at stake?” I found my answer in the bible:

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” - John 10:11

Jesus will not allow the wolf to decimate his flock. I can picture Him standing between the wolf and us, his flock, holding a shepherd’s rod for protection.

When you stand your ground it sends a signal both ways to your flock (behind) and to the wolf (in front):

1. You will protect your flock. You are there to provide a strong defense.

2. You will not tolerate the wolf’s infraction. He may huff and he may puff but you will not be intimidated.

But also keep in mind that the wolf is also God’s creature and is probably just experiencing memory lapses about that wonderful fact. The wolf might not even be a real one but a sheep in wolf’s clothing who is suffering an identity crisis. The wolf too must be dealt with love. There is no need to fight back or return each huff he hurls.

Calmly stand your ground and let the wolf know he will not be allowed to harm your sheep. It’s the kind of tough love that will not let him self-destruct because he forgets to treat others with kindness.

Actually this course of action requires more love and patience than the pacifist stance I previously mentioned. You will also need a strong will to hold back tongue and temper. But the end result will be good for everyone: the sheep get the protection they need, the wolf gets a lesson in character formation or given an enlightening moment and the shepherd gets to exercise his diplomatic skills.

So here’s Guideline #4 in a nutshell: “Practice tough love with the wolf to protect your sheep.”