June 15, 2007 ~ 1 Peter 5:1-4

To the elders, and spiritual leaders in our churches, pastors. They are to be, firstly
1) Shepherds of God's flock (believers) that is under their care. They are to feed and teach!
2) Serve as overseers (this word in the original Greek is not interchangeable with "elder" which indicates a qualification, but overseer indicates the responsibility they are accountable for.)
3) Following God's will for them and not going after their own personal agenda - do not be greedy for money, but serve as God wants.
4) They are not to lord power over the flock. Be humble in teaching and transparent. Be an example. Strive to live out what you preach and teach.

Their reward will be from Jesus, a crown of glory that will never fade away.
This passage makes me wonder how many "pastors" and "elders" actually take this seriously! Looking around at many churches of today and knowing the philosophy of the "emerging church" in this postmodern generation is scary to me. All they seem to be concerned with is bringing the church down to that comfortable unoffensive level so they can literally "capture" or entice people who are living bad lifestyles and have no real desire to change and repent.
These churches are more concerned with growing in numbers than feeding the body of believers. That is scary. By growing in numbers they make themselves accountable for even more lives! And if they're not feeding them.... well James 3:1 points out that those who teach will be judged more strictly. They take on an enormous responsibility.