Tending the Flock of God

We Worship God
A Guide for Worship Leaders


1 Peter 5:1-5 (The Message)
He'll Promote You at the Right Time ^1-3 I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.
 ^4-5When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—

   God has had it with the proud,
   But takes delight in just plain people.


For Reflection
To have at one's command the Holy Spirit gives one a sense of authority, power and fate control over those one leads.  A church leader often sees him or her self as the one in charge, forgetting whom he or she is working for.  Some leaders think that they have to have or already possess all the answers.  That their role is one of authority, telling other believers what to do.  Ever-present is the possibility that this false sense of power and control will be corrupting.

The reward for church leadership is to share the suffering and the pain of others, not to inflict it.  The reward for church leadership is to be offered the opportunity to help others to see God in a new light;  to participate in their joy and to see them grow into Grace.  The reward of church leadership is to participate in the world changing transformation possible in the Kingdom of God.

Pray
for all church leaders.  Pray that they understand the nurturing role they play.  Pray that you will be able to help lead believers into a deeper more powerful understanding of what it means to walk with God.