A pedestrian view of management can be summarized as follows: the coordination of men and material to accomplish a specific mission on time, on scope, and on budget. While there is value in this perspective, it lacks metaphysical awareness, that is, God’s perspective on management. Furthermore, this common view can lead management to focus on tasks to the detriment of people. When this happens, workers can easily be used inconsistently with their divine design as nothing more than pawns to make money for management.

A more profound view of management can be seen in Ezekiel 34 (see above). In this text, the shepherds (managers) were chastised for using the sheep (the people of Israel) for their own self-serving agendas. These shepherds seemed to have forgotten their real assignment; they were assigned oversight of the sheep on behalf of the chief shepherd (God). But instead of properly caring for the sheep so the sheep could do what they were created to do, the shepherds used the sheep to serve themselves. The Lord’s response to the shepherds was a scathing rebuke. Clearly, the Lord created the sheep for his purposes and the shepherds were to oversee the sheep and support God’s purpose in and through the sheep. The failure of the shepherds was the reason for this rebuke and provides insight into seven key traits of godly shepherding (management).

LEAD. Shepherds lead by subordinating their needs to the sheep’s needs. The most fundamental need of the sheep is to fulfill God’s purpose. Leading people into alignment with the will and ways of God is a fundamental responsibility of mangement.

FEED. Shepherds provide food (spiritual and physical) to keep the sheep healthy. Godly managers feed the sheep first, then feed themselves.

STRENGTHEN. Shepherds know the sheep’s weaknesses and intentionally work to strengthen them. Wise managers develop a learning, maturing organizational culture.

HEAL. Shepherds care for the sick and wounded sheep. Managers identify major blocks to excellent performance in workers and help eradicate these obstacles.

FIND. Shepherds know the identity of their sheep. Managers should always be keenly searching for those assigned to be part of their organizations.

RULE. Shepherds don’t rule harshly or brutally; they are sensitive to the real needs of the sheep. Managers respond individually to each worker; they understand that sound individual performance is a key to sound organizational performance.

PROTECT. Shepherds know the enemies of the sheep and keep the flock together to protect the sheep. Managers are constantly observing their workers to keep them on course and thereby help them realize their potential.

Management is similar to shepherding. Like sheep, people must be led, fed, strengthened, healed, found, ruled, and protected. And these management functions must be aligned with the purpose of the Good Shepherd.

Here is your business tip. Management must guard against using workers for their own personal agendas, such as, using workers as pawns to make money. This is abuse. One of the key roles of management is to utilize workers according to their divine design and shepherd them into alignment with the will and ways of God. Shepherding workers correctly will produce healthy workers and healthy organizations. Healthy organizations will produce good results and will serve customers with excellence. In all this, God will be glorified.