1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Being a leader in the church, like the elders to whom Peter is writing, is a great responsibility. Elders are accountable for the privilege of leading God’s flock. This verse provides leaders within the church an incentive for leading well. In the early church, “elders” were not a special class of ordained clergy but the mature (usually older) believers in the church who provided leadership and spiritual care to the rest of the church. There are many people in churches today who could fit into this group. The basic principle, however, applies to all people: be faithful in what we have been given to do. Those who lead the church must lead well. They must live as godly examples to those who are younger. We can only imagine what the “crown of glory” will be. The best words to hear will be, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
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