The right leadership accepts their responsibility to serve those under their leadership the right way...

This week, we have been looking at a section of a letter that is recorded for us in the New Testament of the Bible called the book of 1 Peter. Yesterday, we discovered a timeless truth about how we are to live out our identity as followers of Jesus who are part of God’s kingdom community in the midst of a rapidly changing culture in that living as part of God’s kingdom community requires the right leadership. In 1 Peter 5:1-5, we will see Peter reveal three different requirements that make for the right leadership as part of God’s kingdom community the church.

Yesterday, we saw Peter reveal for us the reality that the right leadership requires the right qualifications. The right leadership recognizes their responsibility to protect, care, lead, and feed those under their leadership. We will see Peter unpack those qualifications further in what he says next. So let’s look at what Peter says next, beginning in the second half of verse 2::

 exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; ³ nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

In these verses, we see Peter expose three different and competing motivations that could drive a person’s desire to serve in leadership at a local church. However, to fully understand what Peter is communicating here, we first need to define some terms. First, when Peter uses the phrase exercising oversight, this phrase means to accept responsibility for the care of someone. In addition, the phrase under compulsion means to be under pressure or obligation by another. Finally, when Peter uses the phrase, according to the will of God, this phrase refers to what God desires for what He would like to see happen.

Peter’s point here is that a person who serves as an Elder should not take the responsibility for the care of those under his leadership because they were placed under pressure or under obligation to do so. Peter’s point is that a person who serves as an Elder should not take the responsibility for the care of those under his leadership because they were guilted into doing so. Instead, a person who serves as an Elder should take the responsibility for the care of those under his leadership because they believe that serving as an Elder is what God desires them to be doing with their lives.

Peter then exposes a second set of different and competing motivations that could drive a person’s desire to serve in leadership at a local church. When Peter uses the phrase for sordid gain, this phrase refers to having a fondness for dishonest gain. This phrase conveys the sense of being greedy. In addition, when Peter uses the word eagerness, this word means to be eager to be in service of others. This word conveys the sense of placing the needs of others before personal gain.

Peter’s point here is that a person who serves as an Elder should not take the responsibility for the care of those under his leadership because they are motivated by a desire for personal gain at the expense of others. A person who serves as an Elder should not take the responsibility for the care of those under his leadership because they desire personal advantage. Instead, a person who serves as an Elder should take the responsibility for the care of those under his leadership because they eagerly desire to selflessly serve others. A person who serves as an Elder should take the responsibility for the care of those under his leadership because they are eager to place the needs of others before their own needs.

Peter then exposes a third set of different and competing motivations that could drive a person’s desire to serve in leadership at a local church. When Peter uses the phrase lording it over those allotted to your charge, this phrase means to proclaim one’s mastery and rule over others. This phrase conveys the sense of proclaiming one’s position over others. In addition, when Peter uses the phrase but proving to be examples to the flock, the word example means to serve as a model to follow.

Peter’s point here is that a person who serves as an Elder should not take the responsibility for the care of those under his leadership because they are motivated by obtaining a position that would give them power over others. A person who serves as an Elder should not take the responsibility for the care of those under his leadership because they are motivated for the position and the title of Elder. Instead, a person who serves as an Elder should take the responsibility for the care of those under his leadership because they desire to be a model to follow that others would look up to.

And it is here that we see Peter reveal for us the reality that the right leadership accepts their responsibility to serve those under their leadership the right way. The right leadership will serve for the right reason. The right leadership will not serve as a result of being pressured to serve. Instead, the right leadership will serve as a result of having a willingness to serve. The right leadership will serve with the right motivation. The right leadership will not be eager to gain personally at the expense of others. Instead, the right leadership will be eager to place the needs of others before their own personal gain.

And the right leadership will serve with the right posture. The right leadership will not point to their position in order to gain them power. Instead, the right leadership will provide a model to follow that will gain them authority. You see, there is a fundamental difference between power and authority. Power is something that a leader attempts to exert over another. Authority is the amount of influence that is given to a leader by others. Great leaders are leaders that model servant leadership in a way that results in them earning authority and gaining influence in the eyes of others.

Peter then explains that when Elders accept their responsibility to serve those under their leadership the right way, the result is “when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” Peter here is pointing the readers of his letter to the end of God’s story here on earth, when Jesus return to earth will become visible to all the earth. And when Jesus return to earth becomes visible to all the earth, those who serve well in the leadership of a local church will experience the divine favor that comes from Jesus that is unfading in its splendor and radiance.

Peter’s point here is that the right leadership will serve with the right recognition of Jesus role. The right leadership will rightly recognize that they will be held responsible by Jesus for how they lead. And the right leadership will rightly recognize that they will be rewarded by Jesus for their faithfulness in leadership.

Friday, we will see Peter conclude this section of his letter by revealing two additional requirements that make for the right leadership as part of God’s kingdom community the church…