Serving the Chief Shepherd

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; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.—1 Peter 5:1-4

Peter makes it quite clear that when we speak of the government of the church that Jesus alone is the Head of the Church when he calls Him the “Chief Shepherd”. Now when one would ask how do we determine proper church government? We can respond that a careful study of Scripture will show that a Presbyterian or Reformed Church government, that is, a rule in the church by elders of equal status is carefully presented in the whole of Scripture. In Acts 14:23 we read that Paul and Barnabas, as they went proclaiming Christ and establishing churches in the several cities in their missionary efforts, they appointed elders in all the churches. In Acts 20 we read that Paul, on his return to Jerusalem, met with the elders from the church in Ephesus and instructed them to “take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28) Note carefully the church is a body that has been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, therefore one can only conclude that the church is a precious body to God. We must never think of the church as simply some kind of a social club, but rather as a special people, a body of God’s chosen people. Peter earlier in his letter referred to the church in this manner; “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10) He was writing to a people that although they were God’s own special people, it had been revealed to him that they would soon be going through a fiery trial. With this concern in mind, Peter now addresses the elders of this body of God’s elect as to their office, their task, and their relationship to the church of God; knowing that many of them may also suffer as they lead, by example, God’s people through the trials and conflicts that the church of God in all ages may well be required by God to face.

Elder—The first name we see applied to a leader in the church

First, to be noted Peter refers to himself as a “fellow elder.” He does not set himself above the body of elders. As an Apostle he has a special office of authority in the church along side of his fellow Apostles, but as an elder he is just an equal among equals. We see here a shared leadership, to which each one is subject one to the other. Here he does not claim to hold an office having authority over his fellow apostles and elders.

Thus, we can conclude that those who are serving as elders are to acknowledge that Jesus alone has the “sole leadership” in the church. Note, we do not see an Episcopal form of government here, with a single Archbishop or Pope ruling over the church but simply an equality of elders. Indeed, Scripture knows of only one who is the head of the church. In Colossians 1:18 Paul refers to Jesus as the “Head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence.

The very title of elder speaks volumes concerning this office. Elder (presbuteros) speaks of maturity, never a novice, that is, someone who is new to the faith, rather it refers to one who is a mature Christian. One who has a certain and clear knowledge of the Word of God, therefore able to instruct. One who has and is able to take the heat of the battle and stand firm. One who is doctrinally sound and therefore able to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (see Jude 3,4)

This is why it must also be understood that the only authority an elder has is the Word of God.

Elders are Shepherds over the flock of God

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; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.—1 Peter 5:1-4

The shepherds of that day were considered as people of low class. It should be noted that those who serve as overseers in the church are not called executives, vice- presidents or managers, or lords, but shepherds; rather lowly shepherds.

Shepherds carried a rod and a staff. Shepherds would use the staff to pull needy sheep or lambs to himself. A shepherd's duty was to show tenderness to the wounded or sick lambs. Shepherds show great concern for the sheep that would wander away (see Luke 15:4-7). At the same time, the staff was also used with a firmness to keep a sheep from eating a poison plant or yank one away from some danger. They were often called upon to protect the sheep from the ravenous wolves (see Jn 10:11-12).

Peter then points out that as shepherds they have been called to serve as overseers, those who watch over the flock of Jesus Christ.

Especially important to understand that it is the Holy Spirit who has made elders to be those who oversee, that is, one who watches over the flock of God (see Acts 20:28)

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.—Acts 20:28-29

If you are an elder it is the Holy Spirit that has by providence made you an elder. It is the Holy Spirt that has called you to shepherd the church Jesus purchased with His own blood.

Note also in Paul’s instruction the danger in which the church will always find herself engaged. The church is continually at the very apex of a spiritual battle. She does not battle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.—Ephesians 6:10-13

Therefore, the elder, the overseer must ever be prepared to engage the battle.

Finally, Peter wants the elders of the church to engage the office for the right reason, with the right motive and in the right manner.

These three requirements are absolutely necessary.

• Right reason – willingly, willing to bear the weight, responsibility, and burden of the office.
• Right motive – The old King James here, not for filthy lucre, never for personal gain
• Right manner – not lording over God’s heritage, but as godly examples

The elder does not herd the flock entrusted to him, but leads the flock. He is called to not drive the flock but influence the flock by godly example.

I need to remind you concerning Peter the author of this instruction to his fellow elders;

• Peter, from time to time, was boastful, arrogant, and erring
  • Peter then went out and wept bitterly.
• Peter denied our Lord three times
  • Peter who after our Lord’s resurrection admitted, confessing three times that he did not love his Lord as he ought but only had strong affection.

But I would also remind you that the Chief Shepherd knowing that Peter did not love him as he ought instructed him to “Feed, shepherd my sheep.”

And I must also admit that I have not always loved my Lord as I ought and I too have often had to repent and acknowledge my short comings, but how thankful I am that in grace and mercy the Chief Shepherd has always responded with forgiveness and in essence said to me “feed my sheep”.

So, what have we learned today?

Elders are called to teach, to protect, to supervise, to discipline, to direct, to instruct and to lead. To lead by example showing kindness, firmness with gentleness, humility, and care for the flock of Jesus Christ.

Always with this awareness that the flock of God which the Holy Spirit has made you an overseer is made up of God’s chosen and precious people, precious in His sight for they have been purchased, not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Knowing that when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.