Shepherding the Flock

In identifying men to serve as elders in the church, we place great emphasis (rightly so) on the qualifications for such men as listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. These characteristics give us great insight into whether or not a man will be capable of handling this task.

However, an overlooked passage which might also help us tremendously is found in 1 Peter 5, wherein Peter, an elder himself, offers us insight into both what an elder is to do, and how he is to do it. He calls this section of his epistle an ""exhortation"" to his fellow elders, and so it would serve us well to examine it.

The primary key to understanding this passage is the word ""shepherd."" Peter begins with ""shepherd the flock of God among you"" (v. 2), and it is here that we get our best idea of the job and character of elders. While used figuratively, the image is one of a real shepherd, and it is his job description which best fits the elders. More than someone who just feeds the sheep, the shepherd is responsible for the tender care of the flock. When one is injured or lost, the shepherd does whatever it takes to nurse that one back to health or to search until the one is found. He guards the flock against outside dangers, and must be vigilant to insure that no dangers creep in among the flock.

The parallels are easily seen in the work of elders. They are responsible, through the teaching and preaching they seek to provide, for the feeding of the flock. When a Christian is hurting, they seek to comfort and offer solace. When a member of the flock is lost, they do everything to insure that this one is brought back into the fold. They guard against the false doctrines of the devil, and they work hard to see that no member tries to bring destruction in among them. When these things are found to be so, it is also much easier to see why God intended to have elders over a single flock. An elder in Houston can no more shepherd a flock in Dallas, than a real shepherd in Jerusalem can tend a real flock in Antioch. God's plan works best, and His plan is for elders in each church.

Perhaps the best clue for understanding the term shepherd is found in v. 4, when Peter mentions ""the Chief Shepherd."" Tying the work of elders to the care and love which Christ has for all Christians, Peter makes it clear that rather than a position for the power-hungry, this is a position of great self-sacrifice. These are men who, at great expense of time and effort, are entrusted with the care of God's flock; at judgment, they will give account of what they have done to protect and preserve His people.

You will also note that the work of an elder is not to be for ""sordid gain"" or by compulsion, but an eager, voluntary effort on behalf of God. These are men who serve God, and their efforts are not for the praise of men, but looking toward the ""unfading crown of glory."" Too many churches have been saddled with unqualified elders simply to have elders, and those churches have suffered for it. In addition, men seeking to ""get something"" whether it is financial gain or merely an inflated sense of self-importance have brought down entire churches as well.

Finally, elders are not to serve as ""bosses."" This is a uniquely American perspective. If elders are to lead churches, the reasoning goes that they are ""in charge"" and rule as dictators. Indeed, that has happened in many places, but it is not the will of God. God would have men who serve as examples of what He expects of His people, and elders who would ""rule well"" would be best served by a sincere, long-lasting self-examination. An elder who is in constant touch with his own human frailties is more likely to tenderly care for those who are under threat to be overcome by their sins.

We should continue to look at God's qualifications for elders, but we should also remember to look for men who will lead according to His will.