Shepherd the Flock Among You

"Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:1-3).

     The Apostle Peter gave a final exhortation to the elders of the persecuted churches throughout "Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia" (1 Peter 1:1). These churches were highly discouraged and confused concerning persecution for their faith. Peter wrote this letter to encourage these saints to stand strong, as he reminds them over and over again of Christ's afflictions and sufferings. He reminds them not only of his sufferings but their inheritance in Christ and the blessed hope of his return again to take them to heaven. In other words, Peter's thesis was; Trust in the Lord!

     Just as Peter exhorted these first-century believers, we too are exhorted in the same manner. We are to trust in the Lord through difficult seasons in our life. And God gives faithful elders to remind God's people to stay the course in trusting the Lord. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion in the church today when it comes to the duties and responsibilities of the elders. It is here that Peter gives a quick description of an elder's task. First, notice the term elder is plural. In other words, Peter is assuming churches have a plurality of men who are qualified to minister to the church through the teaching and preaching of God's Word. Second, elders are to shepherd the flock among them. They are to feed, care, and protect their flock. Third, they are to oversee the flock. They are to exhort, encourage and rebuke their flock. Fourth, elders are to lead by example. They are to lead the flock by faithfully preaching God's Word and living a life above reproach.  

      The outline seems nice and neat. Yet, the ministry is not near clean cut as the outline. Ministry can be very messy at times. Ministry is messy because people are involved and we live in a fallen world. This has proved itself true over the course of my ministry, but more so these past few months than ever. And with each event, I am reminded that people are my ministry. In other words, without people, I have no ministry.  Therefore, my chief responsibility as an elder is to be as a shepherd to the flock. Hence, Peter tells the elders to "shepherd the flock that is among you" (1 Peter 5:2).

      So, what is an elder to do when there is a division among the flock? What is an elder to do when the finances are slim? What is an elder to do when a dear saint dies of cancer? What is an elder to do when a family's child has gone wayward? What do you do when a wife does not understand why her husband continually rejects Christ? What is an elder to do when a couple is headed for divorce? What is an elder to do when a member takes their own life? The Apostle Peter gives the imperative to "shepherd the flock that is among you." 

     Peter commands "shepherd the flock..." He is referring to God's people. Those he called the elect (1:1). The flock is those whom Christ has redeemed by his precious blood. The flock is those who have experienced "repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21). The flock is those who hear Jesus's "voice and follow him" (John 10:27-28). These are the ones whom the elders are to shepherd. They are to preach and teach the flock. They are to pray for the flock. They are to be concerned for the flock. They are to know their flock. They are to lay down their lives for their flock. This is what it means to "shepherd the flock."

     Peter continues to write, "that is among you." Notice, Peter does not say, "the flock down the road" or "the flock you wish you had." He says, "the flock that is among you." God calls gifts and places men where He sovereignly chooses. It is not up to an elder to choose where he wants to serve, but God. God has uniquely selected the flock for the man and the man for the flock. Therefore, the elders are to shepherd the flock among them. They must have tunnel vision. They must seek the good for those whom God has entrusted to them. I am afraid too many pastors have the "greener grass syndrome." They think the grass is greener in other places. And usually, they are; because they have more manure on them. In other words, the shepherd must be focused on his flock with no plan B. 

     So, what is a pastor to do when troubles arise and ministry becomes difficult? He is to "shepherd the flock that his among him." This phrase should discourage pastors from church hopping when things get tough. Instead of trying to find a reason to leave, find a reason to stay. Ask God to give you the strength by the power of the Spirit to faithfully shepherd the flock. Continue to pursue Christ and His righteousness. Watch your life and doctrine. Most of all, when you think you can go no further...keep being faithful by looking to Jesus! SDG.