The Elder – Shepherd – Pastor

Text: 1 Peter 5:1-4

To the Elders

The Elders:

Overseers / pastors / shepherds

Footnotes:

Their duty is to exhort: To come alongside to encourage

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 Elder Role

Exercise oversight:

Administrate – Watch over

Shepherd the flock:

Protect – Feed - Rule - Care

Footnotes:

See 1 Timothy 3:2-7 & Titus 1:6-9

‘Elders are to observe and look into what the flock is doing

and encountering and then to do what is essential to their

spiritual welfare…(Hamilton)

At times people are very quick to say, ‘This isn’t any of the

elder’s business.’ God commanded them to ‘oversee’. And

if something is adversely affecting your relationship with

God, the spiritual welfare of other members, or the

reputation of the congregation, then they must get involved

(Hebrews 13:17). Mark Dunagan

The Elder’s Service

Voluntary - (not under compulsion) Not because they

feel forced to, but because they believe that God wants

them to, and they want to obey God. God wants the

motivation to serve God to come from within the man

who follows God.

Called of God - God Elders are Chosen by God through

the revelation of His will for that individual. Gods

speaks to the heart of a man showing him what God

desires of him in his service to his God. God reveals

to the elder what is on the heart of God for His flock

and leads the man to fulfill his service to God as a

shepherd to His flock

Not for worldly gain - The motivation for service is not

for money, prestige, position, or power. In these days

far too many seemingly spiritual people are starting

ministries and seeking church positions for the sake of

accolades, affirmation, and status. They seek the

benefits of the position for their own sake. God called

elders are motivated by a love for God, and faithful

obedience to the task that He places before them.

Eagerly - There needs be a zeal and enthusiasm for the

task set before the elder. It’s not a job or a vocation.

The work is an outward expression of the inner working

of the Holy Spirit in the life of a person charged by God

to watch over His flock. To be engaged in a position of

responsibility to care and nurture God’s children is a

high calling to be embraced fully.

NOT lording it over others - The elder must not love

being in charge or desire to be the one that makes the

important decisions. The call of the elder is to serve

God and serve His people. If the thought is to “be in

charge,” or “call the shots,” then they have a warped

and unbiblical understanding of the role and are unfit

for the position!

By Example - The primary means of leading and feeding

the flock must be through the example set by the

shepherd in his personal conduct and his public

behavior. If what is taught is not backed up by the

life of the shepherd, his teaching will have little impact,

and his ministry will have little fruit. If on the other

hand his personal character and conduct demonstrates

a humble spirit, a genuine faith, and a loving heart, he

will find that the flock will hunger for what is both

taught and caught.

The Elder’s Reward -

The unfading crown of glory!

(when Christ returns!)