1 Peter 5:1-4, The Responsibility of Pastors

“The typical Jewish community, whether a village or a synagogue, was led by elders—honorable senior members of the community (one could be an older member of the community but lack honor because of shameful behavior at some time in one’s life). Many pagan communities were also led by the senior members, whether one thinks of the pater familas (senior adult male, normally the father or elder brother of the other adult males) running the Roman family or village councils. The early church adopted the Jewish structure (e.g., Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2). Generally the elders or overseers (an alternative term, indicating function rather than seniority) led a city-wide church, irrespective of the number of house churches within the area. For example, Jerusalem had many house churches to accommodate the large number of believers, but we never read of more than one body of elders.” (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary) Peter addresses the elders or leaders of the congregations he is overseeing.

^5:1 Therefore I urge the elders among you, your fellow elder and witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a sharer in the glory that is about to be revealed, ² shepherd the flock of God among you, giving oversight, not under compulsion but willingly according to the will of God, and not with shameful greed but eagerly. ³ Don’t lord it over those allotted to you but be examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears you will receive the crown whose glory does not fade.

Because of the persecution and the need for believers to lead holy lives, Peter urges the congregational leaders to shepherd their people (to step up their game?). He is urging this as a fellow elder or spiritual leader and as a witness to Christ’s sufferings. He is thus aptly qualified to urge this.

The responsibility of a shepherd was to tend to and care for the sheep of his flock. He led them, fed them, and protected them. The responsibility of an elder (pastor, overseer) was roughly the same. But Peter identifies three areas of concern that these elders/pastors/overseers should consider:

Compulsory versus Willing Leadership

The Zondervan Backgrounds Commentary notes,

The elder could easily feel he had to take up the office because he was the senior person in the community, but he might resent it because of its duties and because it exposed him to greater persecution.

It was crucial for effective shepherding that the elder was not an elder by compulsion (“Somebody has to do it,” etc.) but rather something embraced willingly. Paul says, in 1 Timothy 3 that the elder must earnestly desire this role. You can imagine how this attitude could greatly determine how effectively you led.

Greedy versus Eager Leadership

People can take leadership roles because it helps enrich them. Not all elders were paid (see 1 Timothy 5:17,18), but because elders handled church money and had influence over members it was possible to find ways to fill one’s coffers. Peter urges an eagerness to serve as leader in accord with God’s will rather than a desire to get wealthy.

Dictatorial versus Exemplary Leadership

Leadership in the church (and everywhere, for that matter) should be to serve those you lead (Matthew 23:11). Many leaders are tempted to lord it over those they lead, but Peter urges leading by example. This is the most powerful leadership there is. We’ve made it proverbial of bad leadership that it says, “Do what I say, not what I do.”

The reward for rightly shepherding the flock is the unfading crown which God, the Chief Shepherd (Pastor) and Overseer (Bishop) of our souls (1 Peter 2:25), will award to the faithful.