The Elder’s Responsibility

1 Peter 5:1-3 – The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.

Elders have a very important responsibility within the body of Christ. They are often the direct conduit for administering God’s instructions; growing His people toward discipleship; and building a strong community of believers. It is a position that cannot be taken lightly.

1. Willing. Peter admonishes elders to ‘feed’ those believers among them willingly and not by constraint or compulsion. This is an important attribute for elders to have because it may affect the condition of service they show God’s elect. When feeding the flock of God, elders will need to address personal and corporate needs. If there are elders that are under compulsion, they may neglect their ‘responsibilities.’ They may provide the ‘bare essentials’ (if that much) for those under their care…because their ‘heart’s not in it.’

2. Filthy Lucre. The elder must not have motives to use their position for wealth or any other personal (worldly) gain. If they have ulterior motives, their ‘loyalties’ to the flock will weaken and ultimately damage them.

Matthew 6:24 – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

3. Ready Mind (eager and cheerful). Enjoy your service to God and His people! You are being called to plant and water seeds of faith – to see God grow believers to produce a bountiful harvest (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)! How awesome is that!

Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

4. Leading. The elder must not lead the flock through dominance, coercion, or dictatorship. These attributes uncover a severe leadership and character deficiency – along with issues of pride and selfishness. These attributes are not conducive for a life of Christian love and leadership. A ‘leader’ of this nature will only produce a flock without love; filled with fear; (possibly) disobedient; and living under a condition of bondage. Elders are appointed to guide, direct, instruct, and correct from a foundation of love.

5. Example. Living as an example of godliness is critical for the elder. The elder is God’s appointed representative and spokesman before the people. Elders should live in righteousness before the flock as a pillar of righteousness and plumb line on how to face and deal with life’s issues God’s way.

Matthew 23:25 – Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

As the example, the elder must place an emphasis on their inward life. Too many elders (and ministry leaders) focus on the outward appearance while neglecting the inner man. It is not enough to look holy and righteous to the flock (through fancy words, clothing, and material goods) while the inner man is ‘trash’ before the Lord.

1 Peter 5:4 – And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

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