Believers have been liberated from the bondage/spiritual
slavery of sin and now belong to Christ (slaves of) who is their Shepherd (1
Pet. 2:25). Using the pericopae of 1 Peter 5, the reader will find useful instructions
for leaders within the body of Christ. Christian leaders are under-shepherds of
God’s called people, charged with
“exercising oversight” of His flock (1 Pet. 5:2). The Greek word for ‘shepherd/tend’
here is “poimanate,” which describes
the task of tending to, rule, govern, (serve
as shepherd/pastor)[Gruden 2009, p.194]. Although Christian leaders are slaves
of Christ, the call to shepherd God’s flock is to be done of free will (not
under constraints), ungrudgingly, according to God’s will (5:2-3). The church belongs To God (Acts 20:28), and
under-shepherds in carrying out their oversight responsibilities guard the
flock (from threats, false doctrine), administer edification, watch over their
souls (Heb. 13:17), and be careful not to be overbearing, prejudicial,
uncaring, nor “lords over God’s people” (5:3). The reader will note here the
stark contrast between those who serve the Good Shepherd versus the power-hungry
false shepherds of the world’s system who Jesus called hypocrites (Jn. 10; Mat.
20:25). Leaders are called to humility and a sacrificial spirit.
