7 Pastoral Principles from the Church’s 1st Pastor
Peter served the early church as its first pastor. He had followed Jesus, failed Jesus, and been restored by Jesus. When Peter penned his first epistle to the church, he gave instructions to his fellow elders that speaks to pastors in every generation. For Peter, these seven principles came out of his training from Jesus and his experience as a pastor in the early church. For us, they are preserved in God’s Word in 1 Peter 5:1-5.
I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. 1 Pet. 5:1-5 CSB
Stewardship – (God’s flock)
First and foremost, the flock belongs to God. Every individual sheep is precious to Jesus who died for them. God has given the pastor the profound privilege of serving as His steward of His precious sheep. The Lord expects His undershepherds to love and care for His flock as He does. When a pastor understands this incredible privilege, he will also understand the incredible responsibility that is on his shoulders.
Proximity – (those among you)
Second, a pastor must live among the sheep. Jesus is the greatest example as He came in the flesh to live among us. Pastors are called to live among their people in order to serve and lead them. A pastor can preach from the pulpit, but he cannot be a shepherd unless he is with his people.
Oversight – (overseeing)
Third, the pastor must accept the responsibility to watch over the flock. This will require his diligent attention and sometimes administrative skills. Pastors are called to care for the church as administrators, visionaries, and leaders. Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.”
Enthusiasm – (willingly)
Fourth, Peter commands pastors to serve their sheep willingly. Peter’s to obedience Jesus’ call to “shepherd His sheep” was grounded in the truth that Peter loved Jesus. A pastor’s greatest motivation for faithfully shepherding God’s flock should be his love for his Master. When the pastor loves the Lord, an enthusiastic love for the Lord’s flock will closely follow.
Generosity – (not from greed)
Fifth, a pastor should serve with a heart of generosity and not greed. Any man who serves the Lord’s flock “out of greed for money” is not a shepherd, but a hireling (John 10:11-13). A true shepherd surrendered to the call of God will sacrificially serve God’s flock. Paul warned against the false teachers who would serve for monetary gain (1 Tim. 6:1-10).
Humility – (not lording it over them)
Sixth, Peter called pastors to serve with humility. Peter demanded that pastors lead with a servant’s heart “not lording it over those entrusted to you.” When a shepherd and his church are rightly serving the Lord, there will be no need for politics or power plays. Pastors will accomplish much more by serving their church with a gentle spirit than by demanding submission.
Exemplary – (being an example)
Seventh, pastors are called to be an example to their sheep. Peter found his example in the sufferings of Christ that he personally witnessed (1 Pet. 5:1). As a shepherd living among his sheep, the pastor must lead by example. The sheep will learn to follow their shepherd. When he serves, they will learn to serve. When he evangelizes, the sheep will evangelize. If the pastor expects the sheep to live a Christ-honoring life, he must do so in before their eyes.
God’s Eternal Reward
After admonishing his fellow elders, Peter encouraged them with a promise. “When the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4).” Whatever the pastor may give up on this earth as he submits in service to the Lord’s the flock, he will regain in endless reward from the chief Shepherd. Peter begins his next paragraph with a reminder in verse six to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time.”
