Introduction:
According to a recent survey of Christian adults conducted by the Barna Research Group, 90 % of Americans say they believe the nation itself is facing a crisis of leadership. Leadership it is vitally important. Leadership it is a keyword attached to global summits, nations, corporations, colleges and community. 82% of the same participants surveyed indicated that they believe the United States is facing a leadership crisis because there aren’t adequate leaders. What’s more and I quote, “the leadership qualities that members identified in themselves do not line up with the leadership qualities they expect in others. That is very interesting isn’t it?” So where is the disconnect happening?
Where is this crisis coming from if so many Christians already see themselves as leaders? What is the missing link? I believe when we speak in relationship to the church we are not finding, developing and looking for leadership according to God’s manual for his church “the Bible”. It is the absolute in truth and morality and essential in guidance for leadership…
Christian morality and behavior has been marshalled out of American social culture and off the main stage, leaving a vacuum in its place—and a broader culture is attempting to fill the void. New research from Barna reveals growing concern about the moral condition of the nation, even as many American adults admit they are uncertain about how to determine right from wrong.
Barna asks, so what do Americans believe? Is truth relative or absolute? And do Christians see truth and morality in radically different ways from the broader public, or are they equally influenced by the growing tide of secularism and religious skepticism? I believe in many churches in America we have succumb to the broader culture and it reflects in the leadership in the pulpits and the congregations who do not see God way as absolute.
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. –Proverbs 14:12
Folks, no-where else in the whole world is proper leadership more important than in the church of Jesus Christ. The great late Dr. Lee Roberson use to say remember, “Everything rises or falls on leadership”. We need God-called men in the leadership of our churches. We need leadership that is consecrated to God. We need leadership that is pro God and uncompromising when it comes to God’s word. We need leadership to follow the book when it comes to God’s church and not the world and not what we think is best. We continue today to look to Peter and his…

II Directives to Elders vv.2-4

1. Peter was called to a shepherding and leadership role and exhorts elders to feed God’s flock (5:2a). Peter reminds them to shepherd the flock of God, feed and protect. He takes a humble and caring position. In fact the word exhort is “pä-rä-kä-le’-ō” to come along side and instructs or encourage. He declared, “He, like them is an elder.”

2. The Greek word translated “feed” vv. 2 is (poi-mī’-nō) and is also translated shepherd or pastor. It literally means to tend a flock, keep sheep or to supply the fundamentals for the soul’s need. A pastor / shepherd lead sheep from pasture to pasture so the flock can find adequate food. A pastor / teacher lead from pasture to pasture that is of scripture to scripture or Bible book to Bible book-so the flock of God might be fed.

He has the basic responsibilities to lead and feed and to serve as overseers. The flock of God for which I have responsibility is here. My responsibility is not to be responsible for the whole flock of God, but to be responsible for the one flock that God has called me to

Church leaders must have a growing relationship with Christ that comes from studying God’s Word. If this does not happen because the people force duties on their pastor and spiritual leaders that are not relegated by God their churches do not grow properly. Acts 6:1-7

Illustration:
Randy Kilgore learned his lesson well when over the years he ignored the word, “read the instructions assembly required”. He once repaired a shower handle perfectly—if you plan for the water to run between the walls. His debacles continued after they had children. He assured his wife, Cheryl, I “don’t need instructions” to put these “simple” toys together. But he did! Gradually, he states he learned his lesson and began to pay strict attention to the instructions. So, we too must pay attention to God’s instructions for the way the church is to function and what each gifted leader is to do. Follow the manual!

Application:
Review: So we learned the primary task is feeding. This is a full-time relentless responsibility. When church leaders stop learning, they stop leading. Therefore, Pastors and leaders protect the sheep in order that they may continue to be fed the truth and do so by learning and preaching the truth.

3. Second, he said taking the oversight thereof.” Exercising oversight is the word
‘episcope-o”, from which we get episcopal. It means to have scope over, or look carefully. The word over-seers also translate “bishops.”

4. Peter continues by giving three things Pastors are not to do: They are not to serve because they must, but because they are willing to serve the Lord. Note he said not by “constraint”. You shouldn’t be forced into this. Forced into it by fleshly pride, forced into it by peer pressure, forced into doing what you do because of some professional duty, or because you have ambition and you want to succeed at one level so you can go to another level. The compulsion is to preach the gospel: For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! I Corinthians 9:16

Next, not for “filthy lucre” that is sordid gain, but with eagerness.” Not for shameful gain, not for money. You’re not in it to become rich… It’s okay to make a honest living as a pastor, I want to affirm that. Those that preach the gospel should live by the gospel. Those that are faithful in the Word and doctrine should be worthy of double pay, double honor, Paul says to Timothy. But this is not the motive like some televangelist on TV today. I Timothy 5:17-18 Last in verse two he said, “of a ready mind’ it is one word in Greek “pro-thü’-mōs” this conveys the idea that it is willingly, with enthusiasm and eagerness.
5. Concerning the office of pastor, Peter writes in 5:3, not lording it over those en¬trusted to you which means not overbearing. Pastors are not to be dictators; they are to be spiritual leaders and examples to the flock (5:3b). The authority comes from the Word and when you speak the Word, that’s authority. Pastors must be ex¬amples; church leaders must be ex¬amples and models of Jesus Christ. If leadership is not an example of a born again believer, than believers will not follow. When we live carelessly, we fall in the snare Satan puts out for us. We will fall into reproach. The reproach in this context would be the accusations the community would make toward the guilty party, as they mocked him to his face about being a church leader.
British Field Marshal Montgomery is credited with the following statement concerning leadership: “Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.” My duty is to rally men and women to our common purpose, to produce mature believers in Jesus Christ.

Application:
It is far more difficult now to preach and teach God’s Word than it was 33 years ago when I began my ministry. Not only is there a public attack on the author¬ity of the Bible, but also attacks from some inside the church. The command in 2 Timothy 4:2-4 is to preach when it is popular and when it is not. Paul exhorted Elder Timothy…

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

This calling is not without reward in verse 4. God rewards faithful pastors because this fulfills the role of edification to produce mature believers. They receive a crown that for their work unto Christ.
To what end are we doing this? Look at Ephesians 5:12 and this is where we will pick it up next time.

Conclusion:
Jesus proclaimed that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church but we need to fortify the inner walls and structures and in tune with God’s word. You have a responsivity to be part and parcel of this amazing work so let’s work together to meet the purpose of the church.