Ep 356 – 1 Peter 5:1-7

In chapter five of 1 Peter, we are going to find the apostle giving some serious words of direction to the elders within the churches to whom he is writing. He is not addressing those with grey hair or a significant number of years behind them. He is talking to the shepherds or overseers of the church. These were men who had been appointed to provide spiritual direction to the various local fellowships that made up the body of Christ in that day. These men were leaders, but they were to be a different kind of leader. They were not to see themselves as autocrats or dictators, demanding unquestioned allegiance from their congregations. No, they were to be servants. Their lives and ministries were to reflect the nature of Christ Himself, who came to serve, not be served. But godly leadership not only requires a heart of service, it demands humility. No one is truly qualified to lead. There is no one who deserves to be a leader over God's people. His right to lead comes from God. His power to lead comes from the Spirit of God. His model for leadership comes from the Son of God. And with all that in mind, Peter calls on these men to shepherd like it.