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They Smell Like Sheep: Spiritual Leadership for the 21st Century
Exploring the biblical models of shepherding, mentoring, and equipping, They Smell Like Sheep unlocks the secrets of leadership for anyone.
What kind of leadership will effectively lead the church into the morally turbulent twenty-first century? The same kind of leadership that led it through the morally and politically chaotic first century. Shepherding.
This is the kind of leadership Jesus used, and this is the kind of leadership that will take his church where he wants it to go.
While the term "shepherd" produces warm images of love, care, and tenderness, it also describes a form of leadership that is perilously protective, dangerous, dirty, and smelly.
"Shepherd" is something that every follower of Christ, the Good Shepherd, is called to become.
Lynn Anderson, in this important book, leads us backwards in time to discover and identify the biblical leader for the future needs of the Christian community. Anderson's deep dig for truth will concern, convict, and confront us about where leadership has been, and will set a new standard for where the future leader must go.
What kind of leadership will effectively lead the church into the morally turbulent twenty-first century? The same kind of leadership that led it through the morally and politically chaotic first century. Shepherding.
This is the kind of leadership Jesus used, and this is the kind of leadership that will take his church where he wants it to go.
While the term "shepherd" produces warm images of love, care, and tenderness, it also describes a form of leadership that is perilously protective, dangerous, dirty, and smelly.
"Shepherd" is something that every follower of Christ, the Good Shepherd, is called to become.
Lynn Anderson, in this important book, leads us backwards in time to discover and identify the biblical leader for the future needs of the Christian community. Anderson's deep dig for truth will concern, convict, and confront us about where leadership has been, and will set a new standard for where the future leader must go.
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1997
92 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 29, 2021
Gave it two stars because it was theologically and biblically in line. I just really couldn’t stay captured. He wrote many random stories about random people and I know the Bible is written in that way kind of this book just sort of drove me nuts with it. He didnt just give the gold and say Apply this! He rambled. I was suggested this book when I was in leadership for a church.. about 2 years ago. Lol it would have resonated more if I was in leadership while reading this.
July 16, 2023
An excellent and thorough consideration of elders as shepherds and what their work should look like: how they should "smell like sheep."
Yes indeed: I also assumed it would be the "sheep" who smelled like sheep, but the author continually returns to the theme of how effective and godly elders will "smell like sheep" because of their work in mentoring, equipping, advising, and guiding through moral suasion in their example.
The author does eventually get to considering the qualities of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, but first explored the nature and conception of the shepherd. The author has well identified shepherding as the predominant image of what the elder is to be doing, and everything else is understood in those terms. He then also frames the work of elders in terms of mentors and equippers: the kind of traits which go into mentors and equippers and how those who would be elders already prove active in the work of shepherding, mentoring, and equipping, not in an attempt to presume authority not given, but just in terms of their faithful service to Jesus.
Then the author considers the qualities of elders - he stresses the "qualities" framework over that of "qualifications" with a view to avoiding the "checklist" mentality. He considers the qualities of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 in terms of men who have experience, character, and who can cast vision.
In the final section the author takes aim at authoritarian understandings of the authority of elders in light and terms of 1 Peter 5:1-4. He demonstrates the elders do not have authority in the way many have conceived of it; they are not dictators, nor are they held as of higher value or rank than other Christians, but represent those who by their character and trustworthiness have obtained the moral suasion through their influence and example so that people will naturally want to follow after and even seek their wisdom, advice, and guidance. This is a helpful re-centering.
This is an excellent resource for those who aspire to be elders, who are elders, or who want to get a better understanding about what the eldership is all about.
Yes indeed: I also assumed it would be the "sheep" who smelled like sheep, but the author continually returns to the theme of how effective and godly elders will "smell like sheep" because of their work in mentoring, equipping, advising, and guiding through moral suasion in their example.
The author does eventually get to considering the qualities of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, but first explored the nature and conception of the shepherd. The author has well identified shepherding as the predominant image of what the elder is to be doing, and everything else is understood in those terms. He then also frames the work of elders in terms of mentors and equippers: the kind of traits which go into mentors and equippers and how those who would be elders already prove active in the work of shepherding, mentoring, and equipping, not in an attempt to presume authority not given, but just in terms of their faithful service to Jesus.
Then the author considers the qualities of elders - he stresses the "qualities" framework over that of "qualifications" with a view to avoiding the "checklist" mentality. He considers the qualities of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 in terms of men who have experience, character, and who can cast vision.
In the final section the author takes aim at authoritarian understandings of the authority of elders in light and terms of 1 Peter 5:1-4. He demonstrates the elders do not have authority in the way many have conceived of it; they are not dictators, nor are they held as of higher value or rank than other Christians, but represent those who by their character and trustworthiness have obtained the moral suasion through their influence and example so that people will naturally want to follow after and even seek their wisdom, advice, and guidance. This is a helpful re-centering.
This is an excellent resource for those who aspire to be elders, who are elders, or who want to get a better understanding about what the eldership is all about.
July 3, 2024
Good! Mainly just emphasizes the relational nature by which shepherds (spiritual leaders) should lead people. Makes some strong points about how some of the language used in the NT is translates poorly and leads to harmful misunderstandings (words like bishop, rule, submit, etc). Don’t know how to feel about his take on 1 Timothy & Titus 1 & those character qualifications being “character sketches” because up until this point I’ve always treated those things as literal qualifications; under his framework of thinking, it seems to leave pastoral qualifications more ambiguous and culturally oriented.
Good book for sure. I’d recommend, but not the best one I’ve ever read.
Good book for sure. I’d recommend, but not the best one I’ve ever read.
April 19, 2022
Anderson makes a case for true shepherding in pastoral leadership in the book. Anderson uses the shepherding motif to show that this form of leadership should be the default for every Christian leader/pastor. I especially liked the sections in the book that offered practical advice for shepherding God's people well. A challenging and much-needed book for me this season.
It's a great read for anyone in spiritual leadership. Not just pastors, but parents, Sunday School teachers, deacons, ushers...anyone tasked with leading God's people (whether a large group or a small one).
It's a great read for anyone in spiritual leadership. Not just pastors, but parents, Sunday School teachers, deacons, ushers...anyone tasked with leading God's people (whether a large group or a small one).
February 24, 2017
I forgot that I had started this book a while ago. This is a good book. Not a great book, but a good one. His examples and stories are very practical and help give context to what he is trying to say. It's not a gripping read, but it's easy enough to get through.
If you have had any experience with church and leadership in the church, you might find that this book drags a bit. If you are just starting out, you will probably find this book very helpful. Most of his context seems to be in the South, primarily Texas. The Bible Belt is a unique place to minister, not like other parts of the country.
I'd probably recommend this book for those wanting to go into pastoral ministry and recommend another book for those looking to tweak and make their ministry more effective and streamlined.
I will say, what I do love about this book is the author's focus on being with people. There is a tendency for 21st century pastors to be CEO's rather than shepherds, and I think Lynn does a great job focusing on the importance of being with people.
If you have had any experience with church and leadership in the church, you might find that this book drags a bit. If you are just starting out, you will probably find this book very helpful. Most of his context seems to be in the South, primarily Texas. The Bible Belt is a unique place to minister, not like other parts of the country.
I'd probably recommend this book for those wanting to go into pastoral ministry and recommend another book for those looking to tweak and make their ministry more effective and streamlined.
I will say, what I do love about this book is the author's focus on being with people. There is a tendency for 21st century pastors to be CEO's rather than shepherds, and I think Lynn does a great job focusing on the importance of being with people.
November 11, 2014
He disfrutado este libro en su presentación del liderazgo Biblico como un "pastor" no como un mandamás... pero sobre todo lo he disfrutado porque podía identificarme con muchas de las luchas que el pastor que escribió este libro tuvo en su ministerio.Hoy vivimos en días de desprecio y criticismo hacia aquellos que Dios ha levantado en la iglesia local para "dirigir, instruir, presidir, etc... " aunque ningún pastor es "perfecto"(todoso somos hombres caídos en el pecado) hay algunos que huelen a oveja y otros que manipulan, y utilizan a las ovejas para conseguir sus propósitos,el resultado de sus ministerios habla mucho de ello.Le ruego al Señor que mi vida y ministerio huela a oveja... y también y sobre todo huela a verestado con el BUEN PASTOR
April 8, 2015
This is the kind of leadership Jesus used, and this is the kind of leadership that will take his church where he wants it to go.
~ “Good spiritual leaders are shepherds, not saviors, leaders not lords, guides not gods.”
~ “Every Christian is meant to equip some other Christian.”
~ “Having ‘children that believe’ is not meant as a test of fertility but as an introduction of spirituality”.
~ “Lost people matter to God, and thus they matter to men of God.”
~ “Good spiritual leaders are shepherds, not saviors, leaders not lords, guides not gods.”
~ “Every Christian is meant to equip some other Christian.”
~ “Having ‘children that believe’ is not meant as a test of fertility but as an introduction of spirituality”.
~ “Lost people matter to God, and thus they matter to men of God.”
November 16, 2023
Highlights
Introduction. People desperately WANT spiritual leaders. Leaders should shepherd, mentor, equip, spread the burden - delegate. Yields MORE FRUIT. Know them. Nurture / protect them.
1. Go after the strays. Bring back the lost. It's a life & death responsibility, too consequential to neglect. Many church leaders function in name or office only, in reality they have no flock. Always act with love and follow-through.
4. Develop fully devoted followers of Jesus - Mentor.
5. For a year or more, each Thursday night, young couples met at Jean and Leroy's house, ate dinner, watched film on marriage/parenting, discussion/counsel, mentoring. Time investment: 2-3 hrs/wk. Impact: eternal.
6. How to quickly assimilate / equip newcomers? Train them for tasks, delegate. Look for their gifts - delegate.
7. Focus on people - not admin / business. The work the Jesus completed: equipped his disciples.
8. Admit you weakness - humility.
9. Equip EACH person with a ministry equal with their gifts. WEI? WBS? Admin srvc? An elders example should inspire us to raise the bar in our home life, prayer life, character, dedication.
10. The teacher will be AT HOME in the Bible and in sharing with flock. A child's faith is a testimony of the parents. Elders must develop an earnest love for the lost that leads to action. When an elder has no place for me in his home, how can I feel he has a place for me in his heart? Open homes to young couples, singles.
11. Some freedoms (ie. alcohol) harm our influence / jeopardize the call of God. If a person values his freedom to drink more highly than the freedom to lead the church, that person is "given to" wine!
12. To attract to church - provide value, growth, love. Coping tools, resources, equip, empower. Delegate to enable focus - for one-on-one hands-on guidance. Our aim should be to Equip them with Jesus, not to maintain favor with the whole church. Recognize those who lead. Imperfect? OK!
14. "Tell it to the church" Not announce. Have the whole church confront the faltering soul.
Introduction. People desperately WANT spiritual leaders. Leaders should shepherd, mentor, equip, spread the burden - delegate. Yields MORE FRUIT. Know them. Nurture / protect them.
1. Go after the strays. Bring back the lost. It's a life & death responsibility, too consequential to neglect. Many church leaders function in name or office only, in reality they have no flock. Always act with love and follow-through.
4. Develop fully devoted followers of Jesus - Mentor.
5. For a year or more, each Thursday night, young couples met at Jean and Leroy's house, ate dinner, watched film on marriage/parenting, discussion/counsel, mentoring. Time investment: 2-3 hrs/wk. Impact: eternal.
6. How to quickly assimilate / equip newcomers? Train them for tasks, delegate. Look for their gifts - delegate.
7. Focus on people - not admin / business. The work the Jesus completed: equipped his disciples.
8. Admit you weakness - humility.
9. Equip EACH person with a ministry equal with their gifts. WEI? WBS? Admin srvc? An elders example should inspire us to raise the bar in our home life, prayer life, character, dedication.
10. The teacher will be AT HOME in the Bible and in sharing with flock. A child's faith is a testimony of the parents. Elders must develop an earnest love for the lost that leads to action. When an elder has no place for me in his home, how can I feel he has a place for me in his heart? Open homes to young couples, singles.
11. Some freedoms (ie. alcohol) harm our influence / jeopardize the call of God. If a person values his freedom to drink more highly than the freedom to lead the church, that person is "given to" wine!
12. To attract to church - provide value, growth, love. Coping tools, resources, equip, empower. Delegate to enable focus - for one-on-one hands-on guidance. Our aim should be to Equip them with Jesus, not to maintain favor with the whole church. Recognize those who lead. Imperfect? OK!
14. "Tell it to the church" Not announce. Have the whole church confront the faltering soul.
June 8, 2020
Re-reading this book after 20 years for a class I am going to be teaching on spiritual leadership, I found in retrospect that Anderson's ideas of 'shepherding' very much formed what I believe today. I suppose that's a testament to how solid the premise of this book is, which can be summed up in two ideas: 1)to be a good shepherd, you have to be around the sheep; that is, you have to be present in the lives of people. 2)to be a good shepherd, you have to lead and live in integrity; that is, you have to ensure that you are worthy of the leader you want to be.
In the end, that's the whole of the book, though Anderson of course expounds on both of these ideas at length. At times it can become a bit repetitive, and the idea of 'presence' at times seems to be simply having a lot of Saturday morning breakfasts with people you are trying to shape. But again, the premise of this book is excellent and is well worth a quick read and slower contemplation by those interested in helping others live better lives.
In the end, that's the whole of the book, though Anderson of course expounds on both of these ideas at length. At times it can become a bit repetitive, and the idea of 'presence' at times seems to be simply having a lot of Saturday morning breakfasts with people you are trying to shape. But again, the premise of this book is excellent and is well worth a quick read and slower contemplation by those interested in helping others live better lives.
September 19, 2021
A must read on the topic of church elders. Some of this was old, familiar territory (e. g., the qualifications for elder, or as Anderson writes, "qualities"). Some of the material reinforced what I believe, and is readily taught in churches but less often practiced (avoiding turning elders into administrators or a board of directors, and properly dividing the duties of elders from that of deacons).
Anderson enlightened me to a few thoughts I either hasn't considered, or perhaps had, but apparently dismissed without sufficient study.
The most enlightening detail he brought to the discussion of elders is how the word overseer is used in the Septuagint and in first century Greek culture. This alone was worth the price of the book.
Anderson made a couple of applications I do not agree with, but on the whole I am better off for having read his book, I am thankful he wrote it, and I hope more Christians read it.
Anderson enlightened me to a few thoughts I either hasn't considered, or perhaps had, but apparently dismissed without sufficient study.
The most enlightening detail he brought to the discussion of elders is how the word overseer is used in the Septuagint and in first century Greek culture. This alone was worth the price of the book.
Anderson made a couple of applications I do not agree with, but on the whole I am better off for having read his book, I am thankful he wrote it, and I hope more Christians read it.
May 13, 2024
Helpful harkening back to the image of pastoral ministry that would have existed in the minds of the original audience. This is one of the keystone principles of Biblical interpretation (hermeneutics), the understanding of the text in its original context.
At the beginning of the book, Anderson presents a discourse with a fellow who questioned the use of the shepherding metaphor, and Anderson's response is the key: it's God's chosen metaphor, therefore it is the greatest metaphor. No other picture will ever give a more full-orbed understanding of pastoral ministry than the shades of color and intricate brush strokes painted by the image of a shepherd with the sheep.
Read and note down key aspects of ministry where you must mature. The title is accurate and presents the key question: do you smell like sheep?
At the beginning of the book, Anderson presents a discourse with a fellow who questioned the use of the shepherding metaphor, and Anderson's response is the key: it's God's chosen metaphor, therefore it is the greatest metaphor. No other picture will ever give a more full-orbed understanding of pastoral ministry than the shades of color and intricate brush strokes painted by the image of a shepherd with the sheep.
Read and note down key aspects of ministry where you must mature. The title is accurate and presents the key question: do you smell like sheep?
February 24, 2018
The way we follow Jesus into leadership, especially in his church, is to shepherd. This book lays out what that looks like to be a shepherd of God’s flock. It’s both conceptual and practical. As I’ve done more learning and looking into the shepherding model of leading, I’m really excited about the possibilities.
September 23, 2018
I started this book thinking it would be overcoming difficulty in relation to pastoring, but it was much more inclusive and descriptive, detailing the Biblical descriptions of shepherding a group of believers. Very helpful insights concerning how to better love and serve people while also rightly defining Biblical church leadership.
February 27, 2022
Powerfully insightful God based book
As a relational based Christian going through some tough times in a "hurt" church, this made a lot of sense to me and helped me understand the leadership roles we all play and what each of them truly means and how to achieve effective leadership.
As a relational based Christian going through some tough times in a "hurt" church, this made a lot of sense to me and helped me understand the leadership roles we all play and what each of them truly means and how to achieve effective leadership.
April 3, 2024
Lynn Anderson was ahead of his time when he “They smell like sheep” in the late 90’s. He correctly discerned the fast-pace, high-tech world we were moving into. So, his message for shepherding in such a world has stood up well 25+ years later. It is a great book to read together with other church leaders and spiritual shepherds.
September 7, 2018
This is a very good book on the nature of church leadership. It is Biblical and winsome and inspiring. I had never heard of Lynn Anderson and started this book with some skepticism. But it won me over and makes me want to be a better shepherd of God’s flock; makes me want to smell like the sheep.
July 9, 2020
Very good book about spiritual leadership. This book also gives very good Biblical definitions of elders, deacons & bishops. We are to be shepherds no matter what the calling is & not to be rulers over people. Christ is the Great Shepherd & we are to emulate Him.
March 13, 2025
I appreciate greatly the effort that was put into this book. The relationship between spiritual shepherds and their flocks is worth study. It has sparked with me a desire to continue to challenge my understanding of the role of church elders.
November 26, 2018
Must read for every pastors or aspiring pastors
July 25, 2019
Great book for resourcing leaders in the church!
February 18, 2020
A good summary of the pastor's role with relevant illustrations.
August 2, 2024
Good book. Good concepts. Don't know if it needed to be that long though.
June 22, 2025
meh for a book on christian leadership… oh well.
August 27, 2021
Nice opening chapter on the nature of the sheep/shepherd relationship. Otherwise, far too many stories to be helpful. Some older books really speak today...not this one.
Not worth your time.
Not worth your time.
April 7, 2008
There is only one thing that smells anything like sheep; and that's a shepherd. He feeds them, guides them, protects them from dangerous predetors...and sometimes from their own stupidity. He is there when they are enjured; and when they are sick, nursing them back to health. He lives with them day and night. He knows them by name; and they know his voice and touch.
So it should be with pastors and their congregations. Though his gifts of leadership, exhortation and teaching place him in a special relationship; he is still a part of them, one of them, himself a redeemed sinner being transformed by the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ.
Too many pastors forget their Biblical role, and try to be CEOs, mega speakers, autocrats or the like. They need to be shepherds taking care of the sheep that God has entrusted into their care. Their shared relationship and identity should reconized by outsiders; just as a shepherd and his flock.
So it should be with pastors and their congregations. Though his gifts of leadership, exhortation and teaching place him in a special relationship; he is still a part of them, one of them, himself a redeemed sinner being transformed by the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ.
Too many pastors forget their Biblical role, and try to be CEOs, mega speakers, autocrats or the like. They need to be shepherds taking care of the sheep that God has entrusted into their care. Their shared relationship and identity should reconized by outsiders; just as a shepherd and his flock.
March 3, 2014
I was introduced to this book by my good friend Tim Marshall who gave me a copy and continues to model this behavior for me. The title describes well the book's thesis. Though some ministry is possible by long distance, there's no substitute for being near, spending time with, and loving people. It is the way Jesus did ministry. Pastors and other spiritual leaders cannot effectively minister only from the quiet air of their private study, but must experience the griefs and joys of their people alongside them.
February 17, 2016
I was captivated by the title, the theme and almost all of the message. It was easy to overlook those references that tried to create an appeal also to those outside "our fellowship". I also agreed wholeheartedly to the strong and almost exclusive empasis on shepherding the flock, but when a chapter not only de-emphasized but sought to completely dismiss the role as episkopos, I say the book goes too far. Do your own study on episkopos.
January 14, 2015
This is a great book for all church leaders to read! It is an awesome opener to the topic of doing ministry as Jesus did! The authors use of stories is insightful and not at all distracting to the writing and teaching he is doing where other authors might distract from these instead... As well i really love the quote "we must minister like Jesus did- recruit 12, graduate 11, and focus on 3!
December 14, 2007
I love the idea of a shepherd. Great for leadership
September 28, 2008
Loaned to Paul Trisket.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews