[Pastors], you are the ones most under your ministry.
Shepherd’s Conference, 2019.
“Flock” brings to mind all the shepherd imagery found in the Scriptures: the sheep gentle, defenseless, liable to stray, needing a shepherd, happy, peaceful under his care, pitiful when lost, scattered, etc. This is “God’s flock” that was bought with a great price (Ac 20:28), that is exceedingly precious in His sight, a great trust placed into the hands of human shepherds who are to pattern after Yahweh, the Shepherd (Psm. 23), and Christ, the Archshepherd (1 Pet. 5:4). What shepherd could have the care of any part of God’s flock and treat it carelessly!
From Interpretation of the Epistles of Saint Peter, St. John and St. Jude by Richard C. Lenski copyright © 1966 Augsburg Publishing House, p. 218.
What then is the leader of the church? He is a man with spiritual maturity, spiritual wisdom, spiritual oversight, spiritual authority, who spiritually feeds, spiritually protects people, who provide spiritual discernment of their condition, and spiritual guidance to a better place. That’s the leader.
The Shepherd’s Responsibility. The article originally appeared (http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/52-24) at www.gty.org. © 1969-2008. Grace to You. All rights reserved. Used by Permission.
A Good Shepherd is not known by how gently he pets the sheep. A Good Shepherd is known by how well he protects them and feeds them.
Final Word, © John MacArthur, 2019, p. 91.
Despite what current trends would have us believe, a godly pastor can be ignorant about pop culture and the latest Internet memes. He can be ignorant about psychology and sociology. He doesn’t need to be an expert on world events, social movements, or leadership strategies. Being well versed in movies, music, and sports isn’t part of the job description, either, and is often a hindrance to the actual work of ministry. Rather, a pastor must be an expert in the Bible
Final Word, © John MacArthur, 2019, p. 92-93.
Good spiritual leaders are shepherds, not saviors, leaders not lords, guides not gods (Lynn Anderson).
They Smell Like Sheep, Howard, 1997, p. 74. Used by Permission.
When it comes to elders, they are referred to by three different names. These are not three different offices, but one office with three interchangeable names that indicates their position or role. Elder – speaks to a man’s spiritual maturity. Shepherd or Pastor – speaks to man’s role in caring for the church. Overseer or Bishop – speaks to a man’s role in managing the church. A good example is Acts 20:28: “Be on guard for yourselves and for 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.” The same could be said of 1 Peter 5. Verse 1 – “I exhort the elders.” Verse 2 – “Shepherd the flock.” Verse 2 – “exercising oversight.”
The Heart of Christian Leadership, 1 Peter 5:1-4, April 10, 2022.
Sheep are defenseless, liable to stray, pitiful when lost, scattered, stubborn and unintelligent. Clearly, they are desperate for a shepherd. They are dependent on someone to feed protect and lead them to safe green pastures. In the Bible the church leader is called a pastor, a shepherd. The transfer is applicable. It is His charge to “shepherd the flock of God among you (1 Peter 5:2). That means he must feed them on the nutrients of God’s Word, protect them from false teachers (spiritual wolves), warn them about potential dangers, lead them to the fields of holiness and grace and correct them when they stray. Ultimately, Jesus Christ does this through them.
The Heart of Christian Leadership, 1 Peter 5:1-4, April 10, 2022.
Elders “[lord] it over those allotted to [their] charge” (1 Pet. 5:3) when they think the church is there to serve them, place demands on the church that are unprofitable, desire personal fame and glory from the ministry, add or subtract from Scripture making their word more important, dominate others through power and intimidation, sinfully use the church, have a haughty demand for compliance or drive the church versus leading the church.
The Heart of Christian Leadership, 1 Peter 5:1-4, April 10, 2022.
