Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Peter’s Instruction to the Asian Elders

reluctant, unwilling shepherd. He cares for His sheep gladly, willingly, freely, and graciously. In the same way that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7), He loves cheerful, willing elders. NOT FOR MONEY, BUT WITH EAGERNESS: Peter next addresses what Cranfield terms “the spirit of hirelings.” 9 Peter uses the Greek word aischrokerdo's, “sordid gain,” the adverb form of the same word Paul uses in reference to elders in Titus 127. (See comments on 1 Timo thy 323 and Titus 127.) In contrast, Peter describes the right spirit in which to shepherd God’s flock as “with eagerness,” which means “readily,” “zealously,” and “enthusiastically.” “Eagemess” emphasizes, even more than the term “voluntarily,” personal desire and passion. It is this kind of eager ness—a strong desire and motivation—that is endorsed by the “trust worthy statement” of 1 Timothy 3212 “if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” Eager elders are driven to care for the sheep. The sheep are their life, their chief concern. Hence, they are not concerned about the per sonal sacrifice they make or their own financial gain. Like Paul, who at times provided his own income through tent making, they gladly serve without pay or recognition. They go beyond minimal duty, self interest, and money. They love to shepherd God’s people. NOT AS AUTOCRATIC LEADERS, BUT AS EXAMPLES: Peter saves the worst and the best for last. The third unworthy motive for an elder is a far more subtle and widespread temptation than that of greed. This unworthy motive is the abuse of authority, the desire for power and control over others. Jowett remarks about the subtlety of auto cratic leadership: “Pride ever lurks just at the heels of power. Even a little authority is prone to turn the seemly walk into a most offensive strut.”'° In a similar observation, Cranfield perceptively notes: “how extensively does the worldly view of power penetrate and permeate the life of the Church! The truth of the saying that ‘power corrupts’ is far too often confirmed in the Church, and when spiritual leadership is abused in this way, ‘the corruption of the best is worstl’”ll The verb for “lording it over” (katakyrieuo‘) conveys the idea of forcefully gaining mastery over others. It describes an authoritarian attitude. Autocratic leadership has long been a temptation to church leaders:

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