1 Peter 5:1-5

“And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t Lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

After talking about the requirements Peter reminds us of the:

1. Responsibilities / Care

The NIV says “To the elders among you” This is not a position of power but one of caring for people. Elders should not be high and lifted up and unapproachable but rather among you. Along with this Peter refers to himself as a “fellow elder.” He doesn’t pull rank or flex his apostolic muscle. Even though he is an apostle, he refers to himself as a partner in ministry with the other players on his team. Interestingly, the Catholic Church considers Peter to be the first Pope, but Peter simply sees himself as a follow elder. Peter doesn’t focus so much on the position of an Elder but on the purpose, which is to provide for and to protect God’s people. Peter reminds pastors of three responsibilities:

1. Feed

The primary job of the shepherd is to care for and feed the sheep. Peter refers to God’s people as the flock. The focus is on the flock not on the individual; today we are trashing the church because we are making it about me and my feelings not the flock. There are many pastors who instead of making it about ministry are making it about me. The word that Peter uses here for flock is the same word that Jesus spoke to him on the beach in John 21:16: “Tend my sheep.” Your focus should be feeding the flock, but you can only feed them what you have. This takes us back to our time spent with the Savior and why our time with Christ is so critical. It’s your time with the Savior that enables you to serve the sheep. When you don’t spend time with the Savior you will shrivel up spiritually and soon you have nothing with which to feed the flock. We are called to lead God’s people to green pastures not dry, dusty deserts. So why are so many sermons salads and not steaks? Because pastors have bought into the lie that we need to be busy doing not being. Instead of spending time studying and soaking in the Word we are skim the surface. We have become satisfied with snorkeling instead of scuba diving. Look when Jesus first called Peter to follow Him it was after Peter had been fishing all night and struck out. Jesus told him to launch out into the deep and then let down his nets. Look you are not going to catch much in the shallows. You want to take your people deeper then dive. The call to feed the flock is a serious call to shepherd God’s sheep. Now there is much that we could say about sheep but two words will suffice, sheep are vulnerable and they are valuable. But as a Pastor you won’t really protect them until you start see them as precious. Your people are a privilege not a pain. I love how tender Jesus is in Luke 12:32 when he turns to people filled with anxiety and says, “Do not fear, little flock.” Pastoring is not a position it’s a privilege.  

2. Lead

We are not just called to feed we are called to lead. Peter uses a Greek word which means to watch over, its the idea of looking something over carefully; interestingly it’s where we get the words telescope and microscope. As pastors we need to pay attention, we need to see the big picture and also get down to the details. Proverbs 27:23 says: “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.” Being a watchman means manning the wall and when necessary going to war to protect the lambs in your flock. Being a shepherd means sacrificing for the sheep, not sacrificing the sheep. In short Pastors need to be with their people, the Shepherd should smell like the sheep. Look if you think you’re leading and no one is following, then you’re just out for a walk.”