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. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:1-11
Did you notice that Peter was addressing the ‘elders’ of the faith as one of them? Also when Peter talks about being a ‘shepherd’ it is under the Chief Shepherd Jesus. The flock is Jesus’ flock, not Peter’s. Also notice how many times Peter mentions humility and that need in one’s life. It seems honest real humility is a big requirement for elders. Not false humility stated with ‘words’ but real humility as the Chief Shepherd showed the example to all of us when He constantly humbled Himself with the disciples, like at the last supper’s foot washing. Humility must be through actions with real sacrifice of ourselves for those He has put around us to disciple and equip for the ministry for which He has individually called them.
This entire section was addressed to elders, who should understand how to deal with the spiritual warfare they encounter in their lives, and that suffering is part of the life as an elder. Pride is the greatest weakness a person can have when facing the trials and tests of this life. We should be focused on those in our ‘care’ as spiritual ‘overseers’ placing ourselves to ‘stand in the gap’ for them from the world and the enemy. As overseers our lives are to be one of humble sacrifice not one of looking for ‘gain’, or control, or lofty praise, or money.
Paul also laid out the qualifications for an ‘overseer’ of the flock of Jesus in his letter to Timothy.
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:1-7
I have observed such a huge need for Godly called and appointed elders in the ekklesia. These elders are called by God and have a life experienced walking with the Holy Spirit. They are elders no matter what organization appoints them or not, because it is what the Spirit of God has placed in their hearts, which is a life of service to the generations below them. We have abdicated our responsibility as elders to the worldly institutional religious organizations, rather than listening to the Holy Spirit and His calling for our lives. Sometimes God places people in our lives that He wants us to pour into, not as formal student type of situation, but more as an older friend who shows them the unconditional love of Jesus.
The under-shepherd of the flock is one who disciples, sacrifices, protects (fights the enemies of the flock seeking to devour them), with unconditional love and utilizing all the mature fruit of the Spirit on their behalf. Elders teach the ‘way’ to Jesus in every circumstance and situation, through revelation from the Holy Spirit. Elders are to be always pointing to Jesus and teaching others what it is to be led by His Holy Spirit. Real elders keep Jesus at the center of ALL things.
We’ve relegated our religious teaching to be a ‘platform professional’ ministry in the institutional Church that happens only a Sunday morning, rather than a personal intimate friendship that is lived out together throughout the week. Real elders ‘hang out’ with those in the ekklesia as much as they can — in every area and situation of life. Jesus called us to make disciples, not professional platform ministers, or to get people ‘saved’. He called us to be with them 24/7 till He returns. Real spiritual ministry is not a ‘job’ or career.
I’ve also seen way too many placed into an ‘overseer’ role, or a ‘platform worship’ example, way too soon, because of the individual’s vibrant obvious gifts or testimony. Overseers and elders need to be ones who everyone in the ekklesia knows their lives. Unfortunately much of the institutional religious organization is looking for $ rather than real elders. So the ones they appoint as deacons and elders are just ‘yes men’ to whatever the CEO / Pastor wants. This is NOT the way Jesus or the Holy Spirit appoints elders.
One should be careful of those wanting and seeking to be spiritual teachers or overseers. They most likely have not experienced enough of life yet. Have they had a ‘desert’ time where they were alone with Him facing major trials and temptations .. and come away victorious through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their lives? Have they experienced any kind of real suffering? Have they lived through a time where they had very little, almost nothing, and learned that Jesus was all they needed? Or do they just have a ‘degree’ from an academic organization? Beware of those ‘traveling ministers’ just looking for your ‘support’. The first century ekklesia had strict rules when they encountered any ‘traveling minister’. There are many seeking to take advantage of the local flock of God.
As this world falls apart so will the institutional religious organizations who currently call themselves a “Church”, or they will have to join the New World Church. Beware of those kinds of ‘groups’ and congregations, and “Pastors” who are part of the governmental apparatus of reporting.
We desperately need REAL elders of the faith who just always point to Jesus.