1st Peter 5:1-4 B
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: 2 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; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. ESV
1 Tim. 3:1
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ESV
"Aspires" = to stretch ones self out to grast or aquire something.
This word forces me to consider that being and elder/shepherd requires first that the individual understands that the position/role is way beyond his ability to fulfill. He has to stretch himself towards it. Of course - he has to be submitted and dependent upon the Lord for it and in it as well.
In 1 Timothy Paul lays out the "qualifications" of the elder/shepherd. Thay are not arduous but they are utterly dependent upon the candidate's relationship to and with the Lord. The criteria must not be watered down - not can it be taken on face value.
Of all the criteria, verse 7 is the most fascinating and perhaps misapplied.
1 Tim. 3:7
Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. ESV
Note - "outsiders" need to think well of him. Now - this has to be seen in direct association with the prospective elder's confession of faith. He is well thought of as a believer by outsiders. Not just popular or powerful nor merely moral - but rather it is the standing of his confession (or profession if you prefer) that is in sight here. Is he known as a believer - a faithful believer - a consistent believer?
Imagine - a man desires to be an elder/shepherd and lets the session know. The session interviews him and members of the fellowship and then asks him for the names of three unbelievers whom they might interview concerning his fitness for the role. OUCH!!!! But - that is a requirement and how does one confirm that he meets it?
One other consideration.
Peter says that and elder/shepherd should not serve, "for shameful gain." Now the key here isn't "gain" it's "shameful gain." There is no reason that the expenses of an elder/shepherd should not be borne by those he serves. If he serves to the degree that he is unable to pursue employment then he should be well supported and provided for by those he serves.
The prohibition goes to motive. No man is qualified to serve as an elder/shepherd if his motives are shameful gain. That would be a a motivation to fleece the flock not serve it.
Ezek. 34:2-6
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. 6 My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. ESV
Any questions?
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