I think the verses set for reading and meditation provide a good summary of: ‘a caring church is a church whose leaders (elders) demonstrate care and concern for each other, thus setting a good example to their flock‘.
I’ve used the New Living Translation (NLT), to present, 1 Peter 5:1-11: “And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.”
We can see from Peter’s words, that leaders should ‘lead by example’, they should be lights upon the hill showing by the way they live their lives, the fruits of having a relationship with God. These verses should provide us with a measure of comfort: we learn, that we should talk to God about our worries and concerns – because He cares for us – we can trust in His love, He will respond in a perfect way that results in our spiritual growth. Our faith will enable us to believe that – ‘after we have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen us, and he will place us on a firm foundation’.
We all know – that we will go through times of suffering – ‘our great enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. By faith, we can stand firm against him – even if Satan finds a foothold in our defences, we know that if we call out to God we will be supported and strengthened.
If we do not call out to God for help, because we think we can handle our own spiritual problems (perhaps, a symptom of pride); our suffering may become intense, do you think that’s to be expected?
‘Model’ leadership
I think the verses set for reading and meditation provide a good summary of: ‘a caring church is a church whose leaders (elders) demonstrate care and concern for each other, thus setting a good example to their flock‘.
I’ve used the New Living Translation (NLT), to present, 1 Peter 5:1-11: “And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen.”
We can see from Peter’s words, that leaders should ‘lead by example’, they should be lights upon the hill showing by the way they live their lives, the fruits of having a relationship with God. These verses should provide us with a measure of comfort: we learn, that we should talk to God about our worries and concerns – because He cares for us – we can trust in His love, He will respond in a perfect way that results in our spiritual growth. Our faith will enable us to believe that – ‘after we have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen us, and he will place us on a firm foundation’.
We all know – that we will go through times of suffering – ‘our great enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. By faith, we can stand firm against him – even if Satan finds a foothold in our defences, we know that if we call out to God we will be supported and strengthened.
If we do not call out to God for help, because we think we can handle our own spiritual problems (perhaps, a symptom of pride); our suffering may become intense, do you think that’s to be expected?