In 1 Peter 5:2-3 the apostle appeals to the leaders of the house churches of Asia Minor to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you.” The shepherd metaphor is the most dominant one applied to leadership in the Bible. In the Ancient Near East, a shepherd had three primary responsibilities: to guide the flock, to provide for the flock, and to protect the flock. There are many implications related to spiritual leadership today. Peter further exhorts these leaders to shepherd their followers with “oversight.” The idea of oversight is to express the leadership task with great diligence and care. This is not a light request. These house churches were suffering sporadic persecution from the Roman Empire. Diligent and careful oversight was a necessity for these suffering servants.
But Peter doesn’t simply leave these leaders with a command to fulfill. He also provides a check on their heart motivations for leading. In our day it is popular to emphasize leadership and organizational values. As important as organizational values are they only reflect aspects of relative importance. Virtues reflect moral perfection and righteousness. Virtues require a pure heart. Values don’t.
Peter uses three couplets to draw a contrast between right and wrong heart motivations for spiritual leadership.
1. “Not under compulsion, but willingly” ”Compulsion” means by force or constraint. This is “have to” leadership. All leaders are required to function in tasks that are less than exhilarating and mundane. There are certainly times when a leader has to enter in to the hard aspects of leading people. But Peter says that there is a right heart attitude no mater the task. Peter says there is a better way and it requires a daily choice.
To lead “willingly” is to choose to show up and lead every day.
This is not “have to” leadership. This is “privileged to” leadership. This is a spiritual leadership that is anchored in a present calling and a future hope.
2. “Not for shameful gain, but eagerly” The constraint here is on leading intentionally for base gain. If you lead within a ministry context you are most likely not in it for the money. But there are other forms of “base gain.” We could be eager for status, adoration, titles, or power. There are many ways in which we might lead as unto ourselves. Self centered leadership over time wanes in energy and availability.
To lead “eagerly” is to lead with cheerful readiness.
This is not only choosing to show up and lead every day, but to do so with a focus on serving others over our own desires. This is also prepared leadership. This is being available to those you lead so that they might flourish.
3. “Not domineering those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” To “domineer” is to rule with force and harshness. People who live out this style of leadership are never examples, because they would never stoop so low as to do the menial work of daily mission. This is “power play” leadership. This is “do what I say because I am the one in charge.” This can show up in subtle and obvious ways. Peter says that instead, we are to be “examples.”
To lead as an “example” is to lead from beside, modeling what you want others to emulate.
It is leading in the same way you would want to be led. It is also recognizing that we are led leaders. Verse four reminds us that we have a Chief Shepherd.
Peter is taking aim at the leader’s heart. Why you lead will certainly impact how you lead.
Will you to choose to show up and lead every day, serving those entrusted to you with cheerful readiness, coming along side your followers in the mission as a genuine model? Virtuous leadership lives here!
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