Shepherding is Serving

I had to throw this out there before Sunday came along.  Some will call me all sorts of names for posting this.  Others will probably start some sort of fan club for it.  Truthfully, I put this out there for those who lead the people of God, the body of Christ.  If you know any pastor or Christian leader, please pass this along to them. 

"Gospel ministers are servants."- C.H. Spurgeon

Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
- 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NIV)

The New Living Translation puts it this way for verse 3: "Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example." I find it ironic that those who are called to lead would seek to lord over the people.  They are called to be examples, not extortionists.  Peter addresses the issue in regards to stewardship, having been entrusted by the Lord to care for His people, the sheep of His pasture.  If you have been entrusted by God to care for His own people, be certain that He will offer us all that we need to minister to His people based upon what they need and what the Lord has called us to do individually.

In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.- Mark 10:45 (NCV)

If you pastor or lead other Christians, keep all of this in mind.  He can use whoever He desires, but He chose you from among the flock to lead His flock.  You have to keep that in mind as you stand before God's people.  The chief duty of the Christian leader is to support and strengthen the body of Christ-the body of believers- in their faith and service. 

Paul charged his understudies Titus and Timothy to serve as "examples" to the people.  In fact, he went so far as to share with the church at Corinth that he was providing an example for them to follow as He followed the perfect example of Jesus Christ.  Give your people an example to follow that points back to the perfection of Jesus Christ.

Serving should be self-less and sacrificial.  Let God lead just as you let God use You.  As you serve. keep the examples of Jesus and Paul, even Peter as a "fellow elder." Serve the Lord by helping His people grow in spiritual maturity as their spiritual leader.

After all, the minister is called to be a servant.  The Lord Himself was considered the Suffering Servant.  Minister to the people under your care.  Take a proactive approach to serving as a Christian leader, considering how you can be of service to yours and more.