1 Peter 5:1-4

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.  

Leadership is vital to the well-being of the church.  Church leadership is different from leadership in other areas.  When the church is under persecution, It is vital for leaders to serve the flock well.  Peter teaches us some important truths to remember about leadership in the church.

LISTEN TO EXHORTATION: Too frequently leaders are not open to exhortation.  Authority is ordained by God and all of us need it.  The elders in the dispersed church needed to hear exhortation from Peter and others.  The elders in today’s church continue to need exhortation from Scripture and other spiritual leaders.  Peter had been through everything they were currently facing.  He had suffered and been an eyewitness to the sufferings of Christ.  He had also been blessed to partake in the glories of the salvation that came from Christ and the privilege of being a minister of the Gospel.  Every believer, especially leaders need to have accountability and encouragement. 

LEAD WITH INTEGRITY: Peter’s exhortation was for them to lead with integrity.  Integrity in leadership means to serve willingly instead of out of some misplaced sense of obligation.  Any form of ministry is a privilege and should be an honor to exercise.  God wants us to serve one another and Him, not because He needs us, but because He loves us and wants us to experience the joy of ministry.  There are privileges that come with being a minster.  Some of them are financial and others are more in the area of prestige.  Money and status should never be our motives for serving the Lord.  Love for God and others should be the motive behind ministry.  Leaders should be examples of holiness and graciousness to those under their care.  A position of leadership should never be used to promote one’s self or look down on others.  These kinds of abuse of power may occur in the world but have no place in the church.   

LOOK FOR REWARDS: There are many rewards associated with ministry.  Some of them are immediate.  It truly is an honor to be a minister.  It is rewarding to see the lives of people being transformed by the power of the Spirit and to be an instrument in His hands.  However, there are many difficult and discouraging days, especially in times of persecution.  There are times when we serve faithfully will very little fruit and resources are scarce.  Eternal rewards are far more lucrative and just than anything we could gain or experience on earth.  The Lord knows everything we have done, all we have faced, and the motive behind everything.  He will reward us accordingly for eternity.  Any glory we may receive or fail to receive here cannot compare with what the Lord has in store for us.  His rewards will never fade.

APPLICATION: Find someone who can hold us accountable and encourage us on a regular basis and then be open to hearing their exhortation.  Count all ministry as an honor, serve willingly apart from recognition, and lead graciously by example.  Look forward to eternal rewards instead of being motivated by earthly recognition.

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