Being good shepherds

Read 1 Peter 5:2-3

.

What matters most in Christian leadership is not techniques but attitude. Peter had learned this principle from Jesus and it forms the basis of his appeal to the elders (1). For those entrusted with the care of God’s flock, the kind of people we are is more important than anything else if Christian living is to be modelled faithfully (1 Tim.4:12; Tit.2:7-8; Heb.13:7).

.

He warns them of three particular sins that they must guard against and with each of them he points out the contrasting quality that they need. Being a shepherd should never be seen as a duty, carried out reluctantly or even neglected. Rather, it’s a privilege to be embraced as a call from God (2; 1 Tim.1:12; 3:1). The motivation must not be material gain but simply a glad eagerness to serve (2; Rom.12:11; Lk.12:42-44).

.

Serve is the key word. Jesus came “not to be served but to serve” and he made clear that service, not lording it over people, is his way of leadership (Mk.10:42-45). He had illustrated and exemplified it by washing the disciples’ feet (Jn.13:5,15) and that’s the lesson Peter passes on here (3). Taking care of God’s flock means following Christ’s example, so that they too can imitate it.