Instructions to Pastors and Church Leaders

I Peter 5:1-4

As a plumber, I worked under several different bosses over the years, and alongside many guys who worked for other companies. I observed that the attitude of a crew was directly related to that of the crew leader or boss. One boss was almost killed by one of his workers after chewing him out. Another had to be replaced after the entire crew walked off the job and refused to come back unless he was replaced. Some of the same guys went to work for a different company, at far lower wages, and stayed for years, because they admired the boss.

The amount of work accomplished, the quality of work done, employee absenteeism, employee turnover, and theft are all largely determined by the leadership of individual crews. Some bosses are successful with nearly every crew they lead, while others have trouble everywhere they go.

In the same way, the leadership of the church determines the attitude of the church. When a new pastor takes over a church, for a while he can live on the hopes of the people, but before long the results of his attitude and actions begin show up. Many bosses, and many pastors have had no real teaching in how to lead, and just copy what they’ve seen elsewhere with no real understanding of the effects of their actions.

When Baptist Bible College first started, the intention was to use only experienced successful pastors as instructors. Shortly after they started, they discovered that more teachers were needed, so the business manager was assigned to teach classes on church administration. Before long, other teachers were needed, and men who were having trouble in their churches were more easily obtained than those who had good ministries. A desire to obtain certification led to hiring men whose only experience was academic, and the practical teaching based on experience was largely lost. Young pastors have had less exposure to men who have experience at applying what the Bible teaches, and the attitude of the students and graduates has changed dramatically. Though they are better educated, they are often less prepared to lead a church. Peter’s instruction is based on his training and calling as an apostle as well as his many years experience as a pastor and church leader. He is not talking from a theoretical viewpoint, but from the practica, as to how to successfully do the work.

“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:” (I Peter 5:1)

Three different terms are assigned to church leadership, referring to different aspects of the job. The term ‘elder,’ used here, refers to the demonstrated spiritual maturity of a leader. Paul describes the spiritual maturity and attitude to be expected from such leaders in Titus 1:5-9 and I Timothy 3:1-7. They are to set the example for the church.

The term ‘bishop’ or overseer refers to responsibility for coordinating and expediting the efforts of each to accomplish the edifying or building up of the church, and reaching the unsaved. Luke 12:42-48 pictures some of the responsibility.

The final term, ‘pastor’, or shepherd refers to the close personal contact and individual care of the sheep herder. A good shepherd is aware of each sheep’s individual needs, seeing that none are left without proper food and water, even when it entails bottle feeding a motherless lamb, splinting a broken leg, or taking the entire flock to an easier place because some have special needs. Peter focuses especially on the pastoral aspect of the job.

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;” (I Peter 5:3)

A successful sheepherder has to have an interest in the sheep themselves, not just how to make money from them. He has to care about the health of the sheep, the condition of it’s legs and hooves, and how it interacts with the other sheep. If the sheep stops eating properly, he must be aware immediately, find out why, and remedy the problem. Failure to do so may result in the loss of many sheep to some poisonous weed or disease. A crippled sheep may cause others to fall behind or attract predators.

The most successful sheepherders walk with the sheep, leading the way and developing personal relationships with each one, so they are aware of problems immediately. They may be shunned by other people because they smell like sheep from their constant association with them. The result will not be a quick, huge profit, but sustained growth and profit. Those who are looking for quick profits destroy churches.

“Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (I Peter 5:3-4)

Ezekiel 34:1-24 describes the responsibilities of the shepherd or pastor. It also warns of the judgment on those who haven’t cared for the sheep properly. The state of the flock is the responsibility of the pastor.