Leading Is Really Just Caring

You don’t need a title to shepherd someone. You just need to notice them.

1 Peter 5:2 — “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be.”

The word “shepherd” sounds official. We picture someone with a title, a stage, a plan — someone qualified in a way we’re pretty sure we’re not.

But strip it down and shepherding is almost embarrassingly simple. It’s noticing. Knowing which sheep wandered off. Hearing the one that’s gone quiet.

Peter — who led the whole early church — doesn’t tell leaders to manage better or grow bigger. He tells them to care. “Watching over them… because you are willing.” Not out of obligation. Out of love.

You’ve probably been shepherded without either of you ever calling it that. The friend who texted “you okay?” on the exact day you weren’t. The person who saved you a seat. The one who remembered the thing you were dreading and asked about it after.

That’s it. That’s the whole job. Not charisma — attention.

And here’s the freeing part: you don’t need a title to do it. You don’t have to be “the leader.” You just have to notice one person who’s drifting and move toward them.

So who in your circle has gone a little quiet lately? When did you actually last hear from them?

Leading is really just caring — out loud, on purpose. Start with one.

Circle up!

Shannon Formby, Founder of My Faith Journey