Chapter Three: The Church as God's Flock

By Dr. Steve Davis

What you will get from this chapter: 

1) You'll find that parts of the New Testament are NOT addressed to every Christian. But it is open for every Christian to read ‑ and WHY.

2) You'll learn why God sets up Elders for His people, and gives them the responsibility for "higher vision."

3) You'll understand the pressures and responsibility of being a Steward of God's flock.

4) Should Elders, Pastors, get paid? How do you figure what is "right?"

 The Apostle Peter addressed a section in his first epistle specifically to the elders (presbuteros, "presbyters", or "senior officers") in the five cities that the letter was circulated to. He gave them exhortations concerning their responsibilities and relationship to the people they were ministering to. Peter spoke to them first as a fellow elder (sumpresbuteros, "copresbyter"). He then established his apostolic authority by reminding them that he was one of the original apostles and had seen Jesus crucified.  He was one of the first to see Jesus after He was raised from the dead.  Peter calls himself a partaker (koinonos, "sharer" or "partner") of Christ's glory, probably referring to the Mount of Transfiguration where he had personally witnessed Jesus being transfigured and had directly heard the voice of God.

 1 Peter 5:1‑11:

 1. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.

2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. 

3. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 

4. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

5. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.  Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.

7. Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you.

8. Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 

9. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

11. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

This section is not addressed to every Believer. This entire section of 1 Peter is addressed to the Elders which are among the believers. It is not addressed to the Deacons. It is not addressed to the new converts. It is made very clear that not everybody in the church is an Elder, and that not everybody has the responsibilities of an Elder.  The Elders are charged with very specific responsibilities. The Elder's responsibility here is to feed (poimanate) the flock.

What specifically is meant by “Elder?” Easton’s Dictionary of the Bible has this definition for “Elder:’ “A name frequently used in the Old Testament as denoting a person clothed with authority, and entitled to respect and reverence (Gen. 50:7). It also denoted a political office ( Num. 22:7). The "elders of Israel" held a rank among the people indicative of authority. Moses opened his commission to them ( Ex. 3:16).  They attended Moses on all important occasions. Seventy of them attended on him at the giving of the law ( Ex 24:1).  Seventy also were selected from the whole number to bear with Moses the burden of the people ( Num. 11:16,17).  The "elder" is the keystone of the social and political fabric wherever the patriarchal system exists.

At the present day this is the case among the Arabs, where the sheik (i.e., "the old man") is the highest authority in the tribe. The body of the "elders" of Israel were the representatives of the people from the very first, and were recognized as such by Moses. All down through the history of the Jews we find mention made of the elders as exercising authority among the people. They appear as governors (Deut. 31:28) as local magistrates (Deut. 16:18), administering justice (Deut. 19:12).  They were men of extensive influence (1 Sam. 30:26‑31).

 In New Testament times they also appear taking an active part in public affairs (Mat. 16:21; Mat. 21:23; Mat.  26:59). The Jewish eldership was transferred from the old dispensation to the new.  The creation of the office of elder is nowhere recorded in the New Testament, as in the case of deacons and apostles, because the latter offices were created to meet new and special emergencies, while the former was transmitted from the earliest times. In other words, the office of elder was the only permanent essential office of the church under either dispensation.”

 The "elders" of the New Testament church were the "pastors" ( Ephesians 4:11), "bishops or overseers" (Acts 20:28), "leaders" and "rulers" ( Hebrews 13:7; 1 Thessalonians. 5:12) of the flock.  Everywhere in the New Testament bishop and presbyter are titles given to one and the same officer of the Christian church. He who is called Presbyter or Elder on account of his age or gravity is also called Bishop or Overseer with reference to the duty that lay upon him ( Titus 1:5‑7; Acts 20:17‑28; Philp. 1:1).”

An Elder must have higher vision. "Poimanate" in the classical Greek means to guide, rule, govern, supervise, or take care of. This is what the Elders are to do for the flock; to shepherd, or nurture and even to guard it from destruction. Elders are to be responsible for overseeing. To oversee requires by definition to have "higher vision." An Elder is a man required to have higher vision than the rank and file believer.  A major part of the Elder's responsibility is to watch and make certain the flock is headed in the right direction. Another aspect of oversight is to be on the alert for predators, wolves in sheep's clothing, strangers and thieves masquerading as genuine shepherds as well as being on the lookout for green pastures and places to rest, beside still waters.  This idea of higher vision is where the term "supervisor" comes from. It means literally "one with superior vision," a "super‑visor," a super‑ seer."
 

Salary and paychecks for Elders. Supervising and taking care of the flock is to be done as an enthusiastic choice... "willingly, not for filthy lucre," not just as a job, or to do the minimum required to justify the weekly paycheck. By "willingly," we get the idea that this supervising and care taking springs from the heart, as well as from the will. It is an overflowing from the encounters the Elder has had with God and the equipping he has received from the Holy Spirit. "Not for filthy lucre" does not mean that the Elder is not paid for his services. God is clear that the Elder’s pay is adequately covered in many other passages. In fact, God instructs that the church recognize the Elders who rule well and to pay them accordingly ‑ actually with DOUBLE salary!

 This is clear in 1Timothy 5: 17‑18, where in this pastoral epistle, the Holy Spirit says through Paul: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

"Honor" was the person's salary. At the end of the day or week or other pay period, they were paid according to their "honor" or quality of performance.  This term is still used when referring to the amount to pay a public speaker or dignitary. His or her remuneration is referred to as the "honorarium," or the way that we will honor the speaker. So, contrary to the idea that God's ministers are to be paid the bare minimum, God says that those who rule well, especially those who teach and preach the Word of God, be given a double salary!!!! Amazing!

The Elder is drawn by the Holy Spirit to fulfill the call of God on his life.  And, he is to be paid well for  doling well. And, at the same time, how is a monetary value placed on the services these men must provide? Pay them for what is seen as well as for what is unseen. Double honor. The Elder has an incredible responsibility, not just to his Master, but also to his flock. He will be judged for his carrying out of his calling, his care for the Master's flock, his protection and his competency. Also, he will be judged in this life on a moment by moment and weekly basis by his flock! 

 Not all Elders preach or teach, but they all get judged.  It is also clear from this passage in Timothy that not all Elders are preachers and teachers. This is where those whose giftings are in the area of administrations, and helps among others are placed in the flock as oversight. 

The Elder recognizes that the calling of rulership, or oversight in the kingdom of God is a spiritual work, not a cognitive activity where he clocks in for eight hours a day for his thirty year "career."  The "heritage" being ruled over is God's.  It is God's inheritance in His saints (Ephesians 1:18) and He has called Elders to be His examples and overseers. 

To help the Elder keep his perspective God says, in effect, "Do not even begin to think that you own the flock.  The flock is Mine. You are a supervisor, but you are not the owner.  You do not own the ministry, you do not own the flock, but you ARE a steward of it. I give you great responsibility and I also give you great authority, in My Word."  The Elder is a steward, and a steward's responsibility is to see that the possessions of the Lord are increased and taken care of. 

 This is the thought in 1 Corinthians 4:1‑4:  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.   For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Double honor and double judgment.  In this passage, Paul mentions that the people continually judge him, and that the Lord judges him! He acknowledges that his job is to be faithful in opening the mysteries of God to the people, and not to spend his efforts analyzing and justifying his ministry to the people.

In Biblical times the position of Steward was similar to our position of manager (Genesis 15:2; Genesis 43:19; Genesis 44:1,4;  1 Kings 16:9; 1 Chronicles 28:1; Matthew 20:8; Luke 8:3).

The business, farm or enterprise BELONGED to the Owner or Master, but the day to day operation of it was left up to the Steward. The Steward in turn was fully accountable to the Master for the successful management of the Master's goods (Luke 12:42; Luke 16:2‑8; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10).

Elders as examples, patterns, role models, mentors.  The Elder is not to shut himself off from the flock. He must be approachable and knowable. Unlike many in ministry who sequester themselves off from the people, the Elder is to be fully known by the people he is laboring among. Elders are not to be heavy handed autocrats.  In addition to their managing and supervisory role, they are also to be examples (tupoi, "type," "pattern,"  "role model") for the Body (Philippians 3:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Peter 5:3).

One of the safeguards God has set up for His people is that these Elders, these Stewards must be approachable, able to be examined and knowable.  It's the responsibility of the individual believer to approach, examine and to know the Elder. It is the responsibility of the Elder to be available to the members of the flock, so they can see firsthand how he lives, how he prays and how he walks with God. It isn’t the Elder’s job to call people and ask them to get together, or even to ask them out to eat. It is the job of those who want to know their ministry better to initiate the relationship, and then for the Elder to be available. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 says to the Believer: "...know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord."  This is so that the Believers under the Elder's oversight can have a tangible model of the lifestyle that develops under the authority of the Word of God. This is the only way for the Elder to be a true working role model or example to the flock.

Copyright Steven L. Davis  www.stevedavis.org