Moments in the life of a Pastor

Walking with God

Category Archives: 1 Peter series – “Holding onto Hope in a Hostile World”


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56 Feeding or Fleecing the Flock? – Part 3

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.”

3.         Heed

This isn’t just telling people what to do its showing them. Great leaders model the message, which means we have to practice what we preach. If I can’t live it then how can I lead people in it? The word “example” here is very descriptive because it means “to strike, to leave a mark or an imprint.” And it’s in the present tense, meaning it involves everyday practice. When we see a good example it leaves a mark on us. This idea of molding the message brings us back to the time we spend with the Savior, we will model what has molded us. When you are modeled by the Master you will start to model the Master.

Now Peter reminds us that leadership is not just about our actions but also our attitudes as he gives us  three negative attitudes to avoid. Please note that I’m going to present them positively. Pastoring is a:

  • Delight, not a duty.

We’re told to serve willingly not grudgingly. Do you see ministry as something you get to do or have to do? God doesn’t want you to give grudgingly, He loves a cheerful giver not a constipated one. When it comes to ministry many people take on a martyr mentality, and they end up making ministry an absolute misery.  Instead of serve with a smile they scowl and sour their service. I’m not saying that ministry will be a bed of roses and you will always be happy but you don’t need to hobble around like you have a case of holy hemorrhoids.  We are called to be willing watchmen not whining watchmen                                                                                                                    

  • Make it about Ministry, not money.

A pastor shouldn’t be in ministry for money. While it’s perfectly acceptable for a pastor to receive compensation according to 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Peter exhorts elders to serve “eagerly.” The word “eager” means to have a righteous restlessness, an urgent desire to serve, to be filled with zeal. Don’t make it about what you get make it about what you give. Don’t be a Prosperity preacher be a passionate preacher, prosperity preachers are preoccupied with personal profit, passionate preachers pursue God not gain. That doesn’t mean that God’s plan is for preachers to be poor, but I don’t think his plan involves living in a multi-million dollar mansion. Prosperity preachers get preoccupied with build their kingdoms instead of the Kings. Jesus told us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” In HIS name not my name. Its not about Giles its about Jesus. Too many preachers are creating followers of self not the Savior. Passionate preachers live to please the Lord, prosperity preachers end up becoming people pleasers. My job isn’t to please you it’s to pastor you and sometimes that may not be pleasant for either of us. Pastors you are called to model the message not manage the money.

  • Loving, not lording over.

This is a call to care, which means that we need to lead people in love not lord it over them. Parents let me give you some practical advice, don’t lord it live it. Lording Leaders tend to tell where loving leaders seek to show. More things are caught than taught. Are you lording or lovingly leading?


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55 Feeding or Fleecing the Flock? – Part 2

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.  

  1. 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.”