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Lead Like a Shepherd: The Secret to Leading Well
Pastor, author, and leadership consultant unpacks instruction for church leaders found in 1 Peter 5:1-4 where they are exhorted to shepherd the flock among them. Some instruction is timeless. Regardless of the age in which we live, certain instruction carries no expiration on its relevance. Pastor, author, and leadership consultant, Larry Osborne has discovered this to be the case with instruction on how to be a good leader. The best, most practical advice comes from the Bible, and in particular, 1 Peter 5:1-4. It's in this short passage where leaders are exhorted to shepherd the flock among them. Unfortunately, most modern leaders have precious little experience tending sheep, and many of the implications that were well understood when Peter penned these words are lost on today's reader. Osborne finds the parallels to be numerous, well-worth reviewing and understanding anew. A shepherd leads them to water even when they fear it. A shepherd never allows one sick lamb to destroy the flock. A shepherd lays down his life for his sheep . . . When leaders truly understand Peter's words of exhortation to lead like a shepherd, then they will begin to see the path that leads them to Leading Well .
224 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2018
103 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 12, 2025
Just a great book about biblical leadership. It changed my mind in some ways.
January 11, 2019
I would highly recommend this book for every pastor, elder, deacon, and church leader. It is such a quotable book that you need to read it with a highlighter in one hand and a pen in the other. Mountains of wisdom packed into its pages.
June 29, 2018
A must read for church leaders to remember to lead the sheep. Sheep require patience and care of the shepherd. It’s easy to forget that when you are frustrated on your leadership of them.
October 13, 2020
This is a great book! Osborne’s words are insightful, unflinching, and full of wisdom. Through them, he makes clear the distinct but intertwined natures of discipleship and leadership and makes a strong case for the importance of calling. Chapter by chapter, he offers thoughtful perspective on what good leadership is and how it’s not something to treat lightly. Throughout, Osborne writes with refreshing and perhaps much needed candor, offering truth that feels like it might ruffle feathers but needs to be realized and accepted. It’s an excellent book for any individual considering spiritual leadership or looking for avenues to grow in their leadership.
My only articulable critique is reserved for his criticism against other pastors. He often reflects on mistakes made by his peers, using them as illustrations or examples of what not to do. I would have hoped he might have a bit more compassion, considering how quite a few of his chapters cover the challenges and reality of being criticized, making hard decisions, and going against the grain of a flock. Granted, in books meant for mass consumption, it’s often required that large and strong statements be made to make a point. I imagine he’d react to pastors’ mistakes in a more compassionate manner in person. But I thought it was worth noting. Just be careful not to develop a habit of seeing a fellow Christian leader as lesser minister than you if they don’t flawlessly exemplify the picture of a “proper” shepherd.
Nevertheless, overall a wonderful book.
My only articulable critique is reserved for his criticism against other pastors. He often reflects on mistakes made by his peers, using them as illustrations or examples of what not to do. I would have hoped he might have a bit more compassion, considering how quite a few of his chapters cover the challenges and reality of being criticized, making hard decisions, and going against the grain of a flock. Granted, in books meant for mass consumption, it’s often required that large and strong statements be made to make a point. I imagine he’d react to pastors’ mistakes in a more compassionate manner in person. But I thought it was worth noting. Just be careful not to develop a habit of seeing a fellow Christian leader as lesser minister than you if they don’t flawlessly exemplify the picture of a “proper” shepherd.
Nevertheless, overall a wonderful book.
March 13, 2019
The shepherd asks, "What do the sheep need?" The hired hand asks, "What's in it for me?" (p41)
My dad taught us a game when we were kids. He called it giveaway checkers. Instead of capturing the other player's pieces, the goal was to be the first one to run out of checkers. The only rule was that you had to jump and capture any vulnerable checker. It was a great metaphor for life, marriage, and leadership. If I'm keeping score to make sure the other guy has gotten more than I have, keeping score is a good thing. (p46)
Every shepherd has to occasionally make his sheep do something they don't want to do. It's an unpleasant but necessary part of leadership. A good shepherd doesn't take a poll to see where the sheep want to go. He finds out where the sheep need to go and then leads them there. (p52)
The point the psalmist is making is that the Lord leads us on the right path for his name's sake and that path inevitably takes us through dark valleys on the way to the mountaintop. (p55)
No matter what we say or do, they will stand with their backs pressed against the wall. And the more we nag, the more they will cling to it. Which is why a good shepherd doesn't berate his weak, frightened, or struggling sheep. He adapts and adjusts in order to help them do what they need to do. his goal is to help the sheep, not to harangue the sheep. (p73)
There are two keys to come-and-see evangelism: (1) the content has to be aimed at believers, otherwise there's nothing to come and see, and (2) everything has to be said and done in a way that those who have never been in church before can understand everything they are watching and hearing. (p75)
For instance, I've noticed that lots of pastors preach about the need to be missional, but they never show anyone how to do it outside of a sermon illustration or two. (p79)
We also follow up to find out what was done and see how things worked out. In other words, we inspect what we expect. (p79)
But servant leadership is a choice. It's the pathway of promotion for those who want to advance to higher positions of leadership in the kingdom. But it's not the path for everyone. (p105)
... I hardly consider four hundred years of bitter slavery and forced labor to be free. To my thinking, that's a rather high price to pay. But that's what happens when we complain. It blinds us to reality. It puts the spotlight on what we lack and a veil over what we have. (p115)
By definition, intercessory and persistent prayer are complains against the status quo...But it's one thing to complain to God and it's another to grumble and complain about God and the task or situation he's called or placed us into. (p118)
Someone told me years ago, "If you don't want to pick up poop, don't get a dog. And if you don't want to be taken advantage of, don't sign up for leadership." (p120)
What makes someone a servant leaders is not a lack of spunk or authority. It's a laser-like focus on meeting the needs of others. (p124)
But make no mistake. Servant leaders still lead. They don't take a poll to find out where the sheep want to go. They don't crowdsource their vision. They always put the Father's agenda above the flock's agenda, even when no one appreciates or understands what they're up to. (p125)
It's a rather simple recipe: put the needs and interests of others above your own and keep your promises. (p129)
And finally, remember that at the end of the day, when we stand before Jesus, the health of our flocks will be far more important than the size of our flocks, and the way we shepherded his sheep will prove to be far more important than how many sheep we shepherded. (p166)
My dad taught us a game when we were kids. He called it giveaway checkers. Instead of capturing the other player's pieces, the goal was to be the first one to run out of checkers. The only rule was that you had to jump and capture any vulnerable checker. It was a great metaphor for life, marriage, and leadership. If I'm keeping score to make sure the other guy has gotten more than I have, keeping score is a good thing. (p46)
Every shepherd has to occasionally make his sheep do something they don't want to do. It's an unpleasant but necessary part of leadership. A good shepherd doesn't take a poll to see where the sheep want to go. He finds out where the sheep need to go and then leads them there. (p52)
The point the psalmist is making is that the Lord leads us on the right path for his name's sake and that path inevitably takes us through dark valleys on the way to the mountaintop. (p55)
No matter what we say or do, they will stand with their backs pressed against the wall. And the more we nag, the more they will cling to it. Which is why a good shepherd doesn't berate his weak, frightened, or struggling sheep. He adapts and adjusts in order to help them do what they need to do. his goal is to help the sheep, not to harangue the sheep. (p73)
There are two keys to come-and-see evangelism: (1) the content has to be aimed at believers, otherwise there's nothing to come and see, and (2) everything has to be said and done in a way that those who have never been in church before can understand everything they are watching and hearing. (p75)
For instance, I've noticed that lots of pastors preach about the need to be missional, but they never show anyone how to do it outside of a sermon illustration or two. (p79)
We also follow up to find out what was done and see how things worked out. In other words, we inspect what we expect. (p79)
But servant leadership is a choice. It's the pathway of promotion for those who want to advance to higher positions of leadership in the kingdom. But it's not the path for everyone. (p105)
... I hardly consider four hundred years of bitter slavery and forced labor to be free. To my thinking, that's a rather high price to pay. But that's what happens when we complain. It blinds us to reality. It puts the spotlight on what we lack and a veil over what we have. (p115)
By definition, intercessory and persistent prayer are complains against the status quo...But it's one thing to complain to God and it's another to grumble and complain about God and the task or situation he's called or placed us into. (p118)
Someone told me years ago, "If you don't want to pick up poop, don't get a dog. And if you don't want to be taken advantage of, don't sign up for leadership." (p120)
What makes someone a servant leaders is not a lack of spunk or authority. It's a laser-like focus on meeting the needs of others. (p124)
But make no mistake. Servant leaders still lead. They don't take a poll to find out where the sheep want to go. They don't crowdsource their vision. They always put the Father's agenda above the flock's agenda, even when no one appreciates or understands what they're up to. (p125)
It's a rather simple recipe: put the needs and interests of others above your own and keep your promises. (p129)
And finally, remember that at the end of the day, when we stand before Jesus, the health of our flocks will be far more important than the size of our flocks, and the way we shepherded his sheep will prove to be far more important than how many sheep we shepherded. (p166)
March 30, 2025
I’ve read too many leadership books in my life, and many of them leave me feeling further from the goal rather than closer. This one is both inspirational and challenging, while keeping the main things the main things. It encourages us to take a good look at why we are in leadership roles, and explores what the bible actually says about leadership. It really emphasises what it means to be a pastor, rather than how to run an organisation. It takes the challenge of leading pastorally very seriously and calls people to account for how they are using the authority given to them.
I’m really pleased that the church I am part, the Free Methodist Church in the UK & Ireland, are using this book as their standard for training leaders to be pastors and to keep them on track with their calling.
I’m really pleased that the church I am part, the Free Methodist Church in the UK & Ireland, are using this book as their standard for training leaders to be pastors and to keep them on track with their calling.
October 4, 2018
This book was given to our church leadership team by our pastors. This was a terrific read about how to be shepherd-like in your leading within Christ's church. As someone who is exploring his call to be a pastor, this also was a timely resource to read, review, reflect on and reference in the months/years ahead if I am a pastor one day. Clearly communicated "best practices" for shepherds in the church. Great resource.
January 4, 2019
Osborne’s emphasis of the workplace as the frontlines of Christianity and his desire to come alongside all kinds of different needs his sheep may possess while also presenting practical ways to help similar sheep in the reader’s life is refreshing and encouraging! His humble, honest, and sometimes humorous evaluation of himself shows a life full of growth from mistakes and a strong pursuit of knowing Jesus’ heart more intimately. Strongly recommend for any leader!
January 9, 2019
I have appreciated every Larry Osborne book I have read. This is no exception. I expected it to be a quick read. However, I ended spending time thinking about the principles of each chapter applied to me and my ministry. Using 1 Peter 5:1-7 and Psalm 23 as a basis, Osborne writes about leading like a shepherd, rather than a cowboy. Many helpful insights, even though you will not agree with every conclusion Osborne draws about how to do church. Highly recommend it!
January 10, 2025
Unfortunately this book didn’t talk very much about how an actual shepherd leads. Instead, the book simply focuses on a short few verses in 1 Peter. In fact, the author makes an effort to say that discipling is more important than leadership. This should be an irrelevant thought if the title of the book claims to be about how to lead. I only gave this book a high of 3 stars because there was still some good information in here about taking pastoring seriously.
September 2, 2020
Really good book; I've seen him speak twice and he's spot on. "...remember that at the end of the day, when we stand before Jesus, the health of our flocks will be far more important than the size of our flocks... It's not the shepherd with the largest flock who receives a crown that won't fade. It's every shepherd who leads well." - Larry Osborne
July 29, 2021
Larry has a winsome way of getting his point across. Like most of his other books, he uses real life illustrations to get the reader to understand the issues. There is a biblical basis that is not just left as a bare foundation; rather, he carefully constructs principles for pastors, elders and church leaders to consider.
September 11, 2024
Realistic and challenging leadership guidance from the Christian perspective. I kept trying to poke holes in the arguments and find where he deviated from or misinterpreted Scripture, but found this book refreshingly logical and reasonable. Excellent take on how to lead and shepherd a flock, and be a disciple of Jesus.
November 13, 2024
Good for those in pastoral ministry or considering it. Nothing bad about the book. Lots that I would consider basic, but these are good reminders nonetheless. Best section was on the shepherd’s need to damn up the stream to allow his sheep to drink.
March 28, 2019
Easy read. He sees things from a different angle. It is both refreshing and challenging at the same time.
September 18, 2020
One of the best books I have read on pastoral leadership.
September 22, 2020
Simple, digestible, and not repetitive.
April 24, 2023
I thought this book was good. It’s an encouragement as I am starting to lead a church small group. I learned some things and will be using several ideas and principles from this book.
June 12, 2023
Super easy to read and understand! It lays out what Christian leadership truly is at its core. This book changed my approach completely as a pastor.
October 18, 2023
Very good overview of Biblical Leadership but the book was at the 50,000 ft level. If you are looking for in-depth practical tips on an aspect of leadership - this is not the right book.
November 17, 2023
Concise account of things learned through the years. Plus good capture of current cultural landscape
June 2, 2024
So inspiring yet cuts right to the point. Beautifully executed and overall great guide for spiritual leaders. Would recommend and would read again ✨️
March 27, 2025
Love this book! I really appreciate Larry’s down to earth practical perspective. A needed read for all in church leadership.
June 25, 2024
4.5✨ simple yet so practical
June 8, 2018
I always enjoy books written by Larry Osborne. I appreciate his humor and honesty. It was a pleasure to meet him a couple of years ago which validated tome that he is the same person and author. Lead Like a Shepherd is full of practical advice for pastors. It covers many topics from discipleship to servant leadership. It will be a great resource for my personal library.
August 11, 2018
I enjoy Larry's books and his style of writing and this was no exception.
A good practical book for those of us in the ministry. Larry does a great job of writing and all the time keeping it applicable for everyday use not just theory. This will be one of those books that I am staring for potential purchases for my team and certain levels of my Leadership Pipeline.
A good practical book for those of us in the ministry. Larry does a great job of writing and all the time keeping it applicable for everyday use not just theory. This will be one of those books that I am staring for potential purchases for my team and certain levels of my Leadership Pipeline.
May 3, 2019
Great Biblical Leadership Model
Larry Osborne lays out a biblical model of leadership and disciple development, which I believe can help leaders/aspiring leaders in their ministry. The principles discussed apply to full time ministry, as well as those serving in the everyday workforce. Highly recommend to anyone currently or striving to become a leader.
Larry Osborne lays out a biblical model of leadership and disciple development, which I believe can help leaders/aspiring leaders in their ministry. The principles discussed apply to full time ministry, as well as those serving in the everyday workforce. Highly recommend to anyone currently or striving to become a leader.
September 20, 2018
Lead like a shepherd
Very practical & enlightening. I would recommended all followers of Christ to read this and seek what God wants you to grab - be a good sheep or a better shepherd.
Very practical & enlightening. I would recommended all followers of Christ to read this and seek what God wants you to grab - be a good sheep or a better shepherd.
March 1, 2019
Great book!
Gives great action steps for shepherds in the church. Also gives some good what not to do and what shepherds should be like as leaders!
Gives great action steps for shepherds in the church. Also gives some good what not to do and what shepherds should be like as leaders!
March 11, 2019
A great resource for leaders, especially those in the church atmosphere.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews