Shepherd Motif in Psalm 23:1-6 and Its Implications for Church Leadership and Pastoral Care in Nigeria

The cry of the twenty-first century Christian community is for genuine Church leaders and care givers who will not exploit, malign or neglect those who need one form of care or the other, who run to them for succor. Many people in the Church and community are experiencing spiritual, moral, financial, health, economic and psychological issues and crises that are beyond their control. The paper seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge as it underscores the significance of shepherding for Church leadership and pastoral care giving in Nigeria. Through making deductions from Johann August Ernesti’s historical-grammatical method of exegesis, the findings show that, church leaders in Nigeria must keep God’s injunction concerning Pastoral ministry as shepherds as they give a sense of belonging to the care seekers and exhibit care and compassion. This paper therefore through making deductions from the context of Psalm 23 concludes that the biblical model of shepherding provides a holistic view of what pastoral care by the church leadership entails. It is therefore recommended that Church leaders should be faithful to their calling, possess virtues that will aid their ministry, live a life of compassion and love as well as nurture and show concern for their flock.