1 Peter 5:3: Not Domineering Over Those In Your Charge, But Being Examples To The Flock.

1 Peter 5:3

[3] Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (ESV)

There are some people who should not be in charge of anything. Think about that for a moment. Have you ever known someone who was given a position of authority, and they immediately turned into an unbearable tyrant? Perhaps you worked with someone like that. It is tragic when that situation occurs in a secular work place. It is far worse when that happens in a church, with a pastor.

Peter reminds those who would be elders/pastors that they are not to be domineering. The fact that he mentions the need to not lead in this way, tells us that this is a problem common to mankind, and in particular for those who would be pastors. There are many who can get good grades in a seminary, who are unqualified to lead in a church because they are too focused on the pursuit of power.

Instead of being domineering pastors should lead by being examples to the flock. It should be obvious that a domineering leader will not be the example that God requires. The example that a pastor should be following is the Savior himself. The example that he left was a servant. Jesus said, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

If a pastor is going to lead properly, he must demonstrate in his daily life that he is willing to serve, just like the Savior. You will see it in the way that a pastor leads his family. Is he abusive to his wife? To his kids? It does not matter how charismatic he may come across in the pulpit. It does not matter how much Scripture he knows. If he cannot lead as a servant, he is not ready to lead.

If you are leading in anything, consider the example of Jesus. Be more interested in serving, than having others serve you. People will learn more from what they see of you, than what you say. Example is the strongest teacher.