A Noble Task

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers…And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:2,4)

Last year CNN and Money magazine published a list of America's "10 Most Hazardous Jobs." The list included timber cutters, fishermen, pilots, structural metal workers, roofers, and electrical power installers.

Other jobs may not be so dangerous, but they are decidedly unpleasant. A Web site called WorstJob.com invites readers to vote for the "Worst Job in America." In past years the dubious distinction has gone to a prison guard, a porta-potty cleaner, a police department custodian, and a cotton picker. Skyscraper window washing and toxic waste removal may not be for everyone, but the jobs still need to be done.

The Bible says, "If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task" (1 Timothy 3:1). Yet, how many men today make church leadership the desire of their hearts? Should we add shepherding the church to the list of dangerous and undesirable jobs?

Adding stress to an already complicated task, the trust level granted to leaders continues to erode in a culture weary of moral failures among high-profile political and religious figures. Who wants to follow a leader these days? And who wants to be one?

Shepherding God's flock is still "a noble task." How can we restore the eldership to its proper place of honor in the church?

We need to understand . . .

The work an elder must do. An elder serves as an example of maturity and faith. Like a loving parent, he teaches, encourages, and corrects. Like a shepherd, he leads, feeds, and protects. An overseer pursues the Lord's big-picture vision for the church; but while he leads the flock toward greener pastures, a good shepherd also keeps a caring eye on their current condition. Unlike the false shepherds who mainly watch out for themselves (like the kind described in Ezekiel 34), good shepherds care for the injured and search for sheep that have strayed.

According to the New Testament, elders worked together to protect the church from false teaching (Acts 20:29-31), hear the reports of missionaries (Acts 21:17-20), appoint others to specific ministries (1 Timothy 4:14), and pray for the spiritually or physically weak (Galatians 6:1, 2; James 5:14-16).

The burdens an elder must bear. Like the apostle Paul, elders face the daily pressure of their concern for the church (2 Corinthians 11:28). They counsel the troubled, comfort the grieving, and tackle complex problems. Church leaders bear heavy responsibility because they must give an account to God for the way they keep watch over the flock (Hebrews 13:17).

The qualities an elder must possess. An elder isn't perfect, but he must be above reproach so that his integrity, Christian maturity, and good judgment are evident to his family, his church, and even to those outside of Christ (1 Timothy 3:2-7). He must not be motivated by the desire for recognition, money or power, but simply by a willingness to serve (1 Peter 5:2-3). Trustworthy and wise, an elder must keep confidences and offer godly advice.

The support an elder needs. Elders need our prayers and encouragement. Instead of second-guessing them, a church needs to support its elders by appreciating and respecting them (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13), by refusing to aim unfair or unfounded accusations at them (1 Timothy 5:17-20), and by submitting to them "so that their work will be a joy, not a burden" (Hebrews 13:17). Elders need ongoing training so they will continue growing in their knowledge of Scripture, leadership, pastoral care, and evangelism. They need times for retreat, refreshment, and renewal.

The rewards an elder receives. Church leadership is difficult work, but there's no greater privilege than to be a co-laborer with the Good Shepherd. Over and over again, Jesus told Simon Peter to take care of his sheep (John 21:15-17). Peter wrote, "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder." He reminded his fellow elders, "When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:1, 4).

My brother Jim is a farmer and a long-time high school agriculture teacher. He knows a lot about sheep, and he used to keep some on his farm. But today he's devoted to a different kind of shepherding. He's an elder in his local church. I'm proud of my brother. It's "a noble task" he desires to do.