1 Peter 5:2-3 ²Shepherd the flock of God among you, by giving oversight, not under compulsion but willingly according to God; not for shameful gain but freely; ³not by domineering over the entrusted ones but being examples to the flock.

Peter exhorts the elders to be shepherds of God’s flock. In today’s terms, we would say that they are to be “pastors” of the “church.” Shepherds were common in many places in the first century Roman Empire, including Israel. The Bible has many references to shepherds, including King David and Jesus, who is our great Shepherd (John 10:11, 14). Jesus sets the standard for all human shepherds by how he cares for his flock. The word shepherd is a verb meaning to watch over, tend, take care of, protect, and make sure the needs of the flock are met. The flock belongs to God, not the elders or leaders of the church. God sets aside certain sheep in the flock to be his representatives and to watch over the rest of the sheep. All believers are the sheep of God’s pasture (Psalm 100:3). Those who care for God’s church as pastors need to realize that the sheep are not “our” people but God’s. Realizing this can relieve the stress of leadership and ministry because we know God is in charge.

Peter gives a short list of ways the elders could take care of other believers. These are organized into three pairs, with a positive adverbs followed by negative adverbs. The list begins with an instrumental participle by giving oversight(episkopountes), which is not found in some ancient manuscripts. The first way not to watch over the flock is by force or compulsion. Elders are not to lead God’s people because they have to but because they want to, willingly, with intention. Approaching ministry out of duty will lead to burnout and broken relationships with the believers under one’s charge. The phrase according to God implies a call or commission from God to serve as the “pastor” of a group of people. The one who serves in leadership should not do so out of one’s own thinking, desire for power or position, or a career choice but by God’s calling and will.

The second pair of adverbs highlight another tempting motivation. Pastoral leaders should not serve for money but from a willingly heart (1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:7). When one is in a position of influence before many people, it is tempting to begin to feel important and entitled. A shepherd of God’s people serves not for him or herself but for God and for the flock. Like our model Jesus, leaders must be willing to lay down their lives for the sheep (John 10:11). Other passages in the Bible mention how those who lead churches should be compensated so they can give their full time and energy to spiritual care (1 Corinthians 9:13-14; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). Pastors serve because they are called and love the church and not out of selfish ambition or to gain earthly comforts or people’s attention.

The third pair focus on relationships. The grammar shifts in verse 3 to participles with an instrumental sense. Leaders serve not by domineering or lording it over others, seeking people’s attention and respect because they feel they deserve it, but by following the example of Jesus. Jesus’ followers are to follow a different standard of leadership than the world, where people fight for position and power (Mark 10:42-43). The flock of God’s people will look to the shepherds as their leaders and examples (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7). Elders are not the Lord and should not assume more responsibility than they are given. To “lord it over” has the negative nuance of some coercion or dominion to get one’s agenda or way done. Caring for God’s people as a privilege and not a way to gain prestige. Elders are only stewards responsible for the well-being of the Good Shepherd’s sheep.