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. 1 Peter 5:2-4 NLT
The Apostle Peter, wrapping up his first letter to the churches, turns his thoughts towards those who lead in local churches. He writes, “And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches.” Peter uses the word, presbýteros – properly, a mature man having seasoned judgment & experience. I would like to say, it could be a mature “young” man, however the word is specifically used in a more senior context. In other words, it’s not just maturity, it is also age. How old would a “senior” be in the early church? Lifespans back then are difficult to nail down, but men normally lived to about fifty. And according to Numbers 8:25, there was a hard retirement at fifty as well – “and they must retire at the age of fifty.” When you’re young fifty sounds soooo old, like it’s approaching death! Of course, nowadays, reaching fifty is considered fairly young 🥴.
Peter has weighty words of specificity he gives to the elders who are leading churches. 1. Care for the flock. Shepherd (poimainó) them 2. Watch over them willingly. Look at them (episkopeó) diligently. Not grudgingly (anagkastós) with forced or compulsion, but willingly (hekousiós), freely, voluntarily. 4. Not for your own benefit (aischrokerdós), “base gain,” or greediness, but with eagerness (prothumós) cheerfully, passionately. 5. Not as a master, lording over them (katakurieuo), but as a (tupos) a constant and repeated pattern, a model, (ginomai) becoming someone to follow.
And when the chief shepherd (archipoimén) is revealed, you will receive a crown (stéphanos), a victors crown, not a (diádēma) royal crown – unfading, never-ending glory and honor.
Pastoring, shepherding and serving people is one of the most difficult callings in the Church world today. And, it has changed significantly over the past 100 years. Gone are the “Little House on the Prairie” days, the minister, played by Dabbs Greer, portraying the real life, Robert Alden (Pastored in Walnut Grove which he founded in 1875). Gone are the days of simple sermons, leading a few hymns and praying over Sunday potlucks on the lawn. The only core responsibilities that remained the same are marrying, tarrying and burying!
Today, Pastors are expected to be a business savvy/financial genius, HR expert, legal advisor, handyman, technical wizard, golden-tongued speaker, builder, blogger, podcasting guru as well as an emergency care, bedside faith healer. Yet, the calling hasn’t changed – shepherd the flock that God has given. My primary role is what it has always been in church ministry – a servant. Now I happen to be an actual elder (well over fifty) and so I am a chief servant officer. Pray for your Pastor, your Chief Elder and Servant who watches over you.
Prayer
Dad,
The advice and list that Peter gave us as Pastors is still completely doable! It’s harder today, but still very much possible. It’s all the other “required” expertises that make this Holy Calling much more of a challenge. I just can’t know what I don’t know or be who I am not meant to be! The expectations are impossible to fulfill! And, they are not from you. Our people want more, need more and maybe even deserve more than the average pastor can give. Plus, we are now in the top five of untrusted professions of society. We are so desperate for You to pour out Your Spirit on all flesh – fulfilling Your promise that Joel made so long ago. We need our sons and daughters to prophesy, old men to dream dreams, and young men to see visions. We are waiting, anticipating You and You alone. Amen.