Church Leadership | The Institute for Creation Research

Church Leadership

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed." (1 Peter 5:1)

The leaders of the early churches were critical not only to the ministry of each church, but also to its survival. Correspondingly, numerous New Testament passages deal with their qualifications and function. In our text, Peter exhorts these men to proper leadership through service and informs them of a reward waiting for them.

First, we notice that Peter addresses a group of elders, not a single individual in sole authority. No example is given in the New Testament of any church which has grown past infancy which has not incorporated the wisdom of a group of spiritually mature men into its leadership, although there may need to be one who presides among this group.

The primary function of such godly leaders is to "feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof" (v. 2). Note especially that the flock they shepherd is God’s flock among them, not their own flock. A true flock leader takes strong and careful "oversight" but does not usurp ownership.

These leaders are to serve "willingly," not under "constraint." Their motive should be "of a ready mind" and "not for filthy lucre," or financial gain (v. 2). Moreover, these leaders must not be "lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock" (v. 3). They should lead by serving, thereby establishing a mindset of service in the rest.

Finally, Peter reminds the leaders that faithful, sacrificial service will be rewarded, for "when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (v. 4).

May God continue to grant willing, faithful, sacrificial servants to lead each local flock. JDM

The Latest
CREATION PODCAST
The Undeniable Power of Narrative | The Creation Podcast: Episode...
Science is objective. At least, that’s what we’re told. But there are inherent issues with this statement that can cause...

NEWS
Paintbrush of the Creator
Who doesn’t enjoy the amazing color patterns of butterflies?1,2 Such beautiful designs and construction do not reflect blind naturalistic...

NEWS
November 2024 ICR Wallpaper
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV) ICR...

NEWS
Reformation Day, October 31
Five hundred years ago in Wittenberg, Germany, an unusual scholar changed the course of human history using pen and hammer. Dr. Martin Luther protested...

ACTS & FACTS
Creation Kids: Owls
by Sydney Walters and Susan Windsor* You're never too young to be a creation scientist and explore our Creator's world. Kids, discover...

ACTS & FACTS
RNA Hoops: When Circular Reasoning Makes Sense
If the regulatory picture of the genome were not complicated enough, over the past decade scientists have discovered another level of Darwinian-defying...

ACTS & FACTS
Gunnison National Forest: Adaptable Aspens and Warped Rocks
Gunnison National Forest’s 1.67-millionplus acres showcase stunning views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The Continental Divide forms its eastern...

ACTS & FACTS
Applying the Theory of Biological Design to Optimal Owl Flight
by Randy J. Guliuzza, P.E., M.D., and Aaron T. Guliuzza, P.E.*   If the greatest writers had been well-versed in fields of science,...

ACTS & FACTS
The Jaw-Dropping Design in Hawaii's State Fish
Hawaiians call their state fish the humuhumunukunukuapua’a, or humuhumu for short, and snorkelers marvel at its wild paint job as it flits...

ACTS & FACTS
A Journey to the Truth of Creation
I recently had lunch with the chief academic officer of a local Christian university. As we connected over our meal, I could see his excitement about...