Marsha's Musings: Elders and the Flock of God. (1 Peter 5:1-3 KJV)

        

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: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:1-3 KJV)

Feed the flock of God, taking the oversight thereof.  This is the job of the pastor.  Feed the flock. His job is not CEO.  His job is not entertainment organizer.  His job is not choir director.  His job is not AWANA commander.  His job is not any of a whole host of other possible titles.  His job is to feed the flock of God and oversee the other teachers who help in that.  All these other positions, if the people think they need them, then they should do those jobs.  The pastor needs his time to study and prepare spiritual food for the flock.  Too many churches allow their pastor's to wear too many hats and before long he is exhausted and discouraged and then his sermons begin to suffer.

Some other job descriptions for the pastor include these:

He is not to serve unwillingly.  Money should not be his motivation, although churches should pay him a living wage.  He should not let his leadership position go to his head, lording it over those under his care, ruling with a heavy hand. Instead, he is to be an example to the flock in his life and conduct.

What is the balance in your church?  Do you have an overcommitted pastor and an under-committed congregation?