Shepherds vs. Vision-Casting Leaders
I have learned a helpful category recently, that of the Vision-Casting Leader (VCL). Let’s explore their characteristics.
I was thinking about this distinction between true shepherds of God’s people and the Vision-Casting Leader. (Shout out to Fighting for the Faith for introducing me to this category!)
Here are a few of my thoughts…
SHEPHERDS feed the sheep.
VCLs tell the sheep to feed themselves.
SHEPHERDS take time to know all of the flock.
VCLs invest time in those who will serve his vision.
SHEPHERDS keep a manageable flock size & promote others to lead in new pastures when the flock expands.
VCLs build bigger buildings & satellite campuses, only promoting others who serve their vision as a father/apostle/ head VCL in charge.
SHEPHERDS care about the biblical requirements of a spiritual leader.
VCL care about the internal voice of God, which conveniently excuses them from biblical requirements.
SHEPHERDS care about understanding the Bible and teaching it with authorial intent intact.
VCL care about teaching people to “go off the map” and use the Bible as a springboard to personal revelation.
SHEPHERDS care about people.
VCLs care about their vision.
SHEPHERDS will help their congregants find a church if they want to move.
VCLs will manipulate their followers into giving up all other life opportunities that don’t keep them serving the vision.
SHEPHERDS will give those who feel called to ministry opportunities to grow and serve until they are ready to go out on their own.
VCLs will encourage those who feel called to ministry that the path to leadership is by serving the VCL indefinitely.
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”
1 Timothy 3:1–7, ESV
I pray that you find a church with a Shepherd who cares about you and takes their biblical mandate seriously.
God bless you. You are not alone.
