Shepherd Leadership character

A devotional form Joe Keller.

Scripture

1 Pet 5:2-5
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

Observation

Peter was giving this advice to elders at the churches likely because the process of people forgetting to follow the leadership example of Christ and going back to what they know in the world. You see even the Israelites started off with proper heart and leadership of the God's temple and God's people, but eventually they strayed away to the state they were in now in Jersulem where the leadership of the pharisee's and Sadducees had degraded far from the original foundation set in place by God through Moses. Such would be the same challenge the new churches that were being started, to resist self service, and trust in humble servitude of those they would lead. To lead not out of compulsion but out of a voluntary love and desire to serve the Lord, and the body of Christ.

Application

The application for me today is to recognize the character trait shepherd leaders need to have, maintain, and correct back to. That of humble servant to those they are leading. It is part of the reason I believe we all should come throught the servants entrance , where we simply learn to serve others first, before being given positions of leadership. Once we reach positions of leadership, we need to periodically check and correct back.

If in order to get things done we find we are using compulsion to press people to fill a need, we must recognize this has short term gain, and likely long term loses. However when we continue to serve others out of the servant leaders heart, they soon begin volunteering their time and service out of love and not compulsion, which seems to me to be a much more sustainable leadership model. It does come at the usual Christian costs - we must trust and be patient. Lack of trust in God's ways, or impatience can often unravel all of a leaders good intentions.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson in leadership. Your ways are better than my ways, I so appreciate you continuing to grow me into the man of God you need me to be. Help me Lord to be the servant and shepherd leader you desire, help me to trust in you and your ways, your timing. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.