Examples to the flock

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; - 1 Peter 5v1-3

Today’s message is one primarily for me and other pastors or elders in the church. Here Paul has a special message for us.

Someone has to lead. Whenever there is a group of people there is either a leader present or someone is going to take that position. In the local church God uses the pastors or elders to fulfil that role.

The question then becomes, ‘how do we lead?’ Peter gives us some basic clues here: Shepherd the flock – Psalm 23 comes to mind here. Serve as an overseer – interesting, watch over the flock, but do it as a servant. Don’t do it because you have been pressured into doing it – do it willingly. Don’t do it for the money, but eagerly no matter what the money is.

All great pointers that I hate to pass over so quickly, but one grabbed by heart this morning – not as lord over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

The position of pastor is not one of master and lord. I have seen far too many pastor/lords in my lifetime. They lead, by whip if necessary, and the flock follows. Tragic thing is that is not good for the sheep.

So how do pastors and elders lead? By example – simple enough. Our lives must be a shining example down the right paths that the people entrusted to us can follow safely, not fearing our rod, but trusting our leadership.