Lead - and Follow - Like Jesus (1 Peter 5:1-5)

Following is the manuscript from Sunday, our Elder Installation Sunday. And what a great day it was! You can check out the audio at KarisChurch.org under “resources.” So exciting to add Aaron and Darren to our team!

If you’re joining us for the first time this morning, you’ve picked a great day! You’re  jumping in on an important family gathering. And we’re so glad you did. According to Scripture, the church is meant to be led by a team of leaders - called elders - and today, we’re adding two more men to our team. Today is an Elder Installation Sunday. I’m going to share a few words from the passage we just read, and then later we’ll call those guys up front and pray them in.

Sarah just read from 1 Peter chapter 5, an important group of verses about the eldership. And as we get going, I want us to think first about the author and the encouragement he gives. Who wrote this? Well, Peter. Right? Hear what he says again in verse 1: “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed…”  Now think about what our boy Pete could have said. “Hey elders - of those churches there in Asia Minor - it’s Peter here, an apostle of Jesus - actually, THE O.G. apostle. Who got to see Jesus transfigured up on that mountain. Who got to see Him after He was raised from the dead. I have some words you really need to listen to.”

Now he could have said that. But catch what he actually says. He doesn’t call himself an apostle, but a “fellow elder.” He doesn’t talk about witnessing Christ’s glory - at least yet - but rather, His “sufferings.” And think about that for a second. When he did see Jesus’s sufferings, His Lord on that cross, what did he do? He betrayed His Lord, didn’t he? Not the greatest witness, was he?

Peter here doesn’t create distance in this letter, but closeness. He doesn’t come in arrogance, but rather humility. He’s making himself vulnerable. Yeah, he took in Christ’s sufferings with his own eyes. And those wounds weren’t just for them - for us. They were also for him. And he had been changed by them. Therefore, Peter can look ahead to the future with confidence, believing he’ll be “a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed.”

The apostle here, then, speaks words of encouragement. To men like me, guys like you, Darren and Aaron. God can use humans - sinners - like us. In fact the Lord delights to do this. That’s His plan, as 2 Corinthians 4 puts it - to use “jars of clay,” showing that the “surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” And God gives us here the posture of an elder, for starters. Humility. There’s nothing more important than that. That elders be humble. Realizing that we’re objects of grace, through and through. And that reality impacting our ministries day by day. So here are words of encouragement for elders like our two guys up here. You don’t have to be special. In fact, it’s better you’re not.

There’s also a reminder here for all of Christ’s church. Your elders are just men. They’re sinners like everyone else. Human. Fallen. Yes, they’re supposed to set an example. More on that, in a bit. But they’re not perfect. We’re not saints and you’re ain’ts. I don’t feel like very much most of the time. So, let us be vulnerable with you here, just like Peter. And please handle that openness with care. It’s for your good - and ours, too. If we’re not put up on a pedestal. But can openly, humbly serve you, by leading you.

The Calling of Elders

Now there are three main things I want you to notice from this passage. First, the calling of elders. Second, the manner of elders. Third, the reward of elders. Let’s start first with the calling. Now in the New Testament, there are three titles for the same group of men that are called to lead each local church: elders, pastors, and overseers. And we see a form at least, of each of those, right here. And each gives an angle on the calling of this group of leaders.

“Elders,” first. We see that right there in verse one. That, of course, emphasizes the spiritual maturity of the team. No, I don’t think it means that the leader has to be older - but just mature in the faith. It’s not a bad idea if the guy has a beard. But, no, it doesn’t have to be white.

The word “pastor” means “shepherd” and we see that term in verse two. What do shepherds do? They care for the flock. And that’s what elders or pastors do in the church. There’s much we could say here. But I’ll just emphasize two things. Protection. Watching out for wolves. Keeping the sheep safe. Provision. Feeding the people of God. And primarily, this means teaching.

We see a form of the other title also in verse 2. Peter says that these elders should be “exercising oversight.” That’s a form of the word overseer, which means what it says. You watch over God’s people. There is overlap in these terms. But this one emphasizes that pastors are truly meant to be leaders. And that they serve as guardians of God’s people.

Elders. Pastors. Overseers. Now one thing I have to mention, before I move on, is this. The word “elders” is obviously plural. The church is led by a group. The church of Jesus isn’t a democracy. It’s not a dictatorship. Christ’s family is meant to be led by a group of men called elders.

So, this is your calling, Darren and Aaron - and what Seth, and Jeff, and I have given ourselves to. Pour out your heart for this calling. Do it for these people we love so much here. And Karis, I want you to hear that this is good for you. There’s this idea that authority is bad. And that it should be bucked against at every turn. Yes, it can be abused. We’ll see that soon. But leadership is good. It comes from God. It’s His gift to you. And done well, it even images Him.

The Manner of Elders

With that, let’s move to the second point - where we see the manner of elders. This is how that calling is meant to be lived out. You probably noticed - there are three phrases in verses 2 and 3 that begin with “not,” along with a big “but” that follows. And they give us three words that contrast how elders should and shouldn’t lead. The first two are found in verse two.

They first shouldn’t lead because they feel like they have to - “under compulsion.” Either guilted into it by others. Or pushed into it by some internal drive to prove themselves. They should serve willingly. Out of a sense of being called. They second shouldn’t lead out of a love of money - for “shameful gain." But rather out of a love for God - out of a passionate desire to honor Him - they should serve.

Now check out verse three. They third shouldn’t lead so that they can push people around. Elders shouldn’t be bullies. They should be examples for God’s people. Not perfect ones. But still men worth following. Now that phrase, “being examples to the flock,” could really point back to all three of those clauses. And it really sums up how elders are meant to live. And that gets to the key thing we have to remember about church leaders. Character comes first. Right?

Now isn’t it easy to see why Peter includes each of these warnings? They go way back to his day. But we also sure see them today. You’ve seen the headlines. Heard the podcasts. Pastors pushing people around. Leaders profiting off of their sheep. Elders in it for all the wrong reasons. Yes, character is what matters. Darren and Aaron, don’t forget this. Do whatever you can to cultivate your relationship with God. Focus on your heart. And let it deepen for Him and His gospel. And friends, Karis fam, as long as you’re here, or wherever God takes you, resist the urge to flock around the brightest lights, the greatest talents. Character is greater than gifting. Pursue those who are humbly trying to lead like Jesus.

The Reward of Elders

Here’s my third point that we see here in this passage. We see the reward of elders. Hear verse 4 again: “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” Let’s not miss how Peter words this. Jesus is the ultimate pastor of the church. Not us. Elders just serve under Him.

But I want you to see there the promise - of this crown. All the “nots” we saw above are attempts to run after an earthly reward. And that’s because the cost of living out this calling is so high.

Now this is a bit awkward to talk about. But the average pastor lasts just 3 to 4 years. The stress got so high during the pandemic that a Barna survey found that 42% considered quitting. Church growth expert Thom Rainer predicted that there would be a 20% increase in departures in 2022. And author Dane Ortlund, who wrote Gentle and Lowly, warned of a tidal wave that was coming - of pastoral resignations - that would be devastating.

A recent article on the 9 Marks site, entitled “So You Want to be a Pastor?”, walked through some of the costs of the calling. The author, Sean DeMars, starts with the emotional cost of being an elder. It’ll nearly crush us without God’s strength. The familial cost. Ask Seth and Jeff just how hard the past couple of years have been on not just them, but their families. The spiritual cost. DeMars quotes Shai Linne who says that Satan has special, fiery arrows just for pastors. The temptation toward doubt, and despair, and distance toward God is fierce. Lastly, he mentions the physical cost. He points out those before and after photos of presidents, and how it’s not that much different for church leaders. The sleepless nights. The constant stress. It leads to a lot of gray hairs, and sadly, often to expanding waistlines. So guys, you wanna be an elder?!

But the point I want you to hear is that it’s worth it. God says through Peter here, that there’s a special reward for those who faithfully serve, and Darren and Aaron, I want you to hear that. And cling to this promise that the current team clings to. God sees. He hears. It’ll be worth what it costs.

Church, again, you could expect I’d feel a bit conflicted saying this. I don’t often preach as a pastor about pastors. But could I be vulnerable here? And challenge you just a bit? And let me say, I feel very blessed here in Karis. But if Satan is about destroying the elder team, and God is about rewarding this group of men, what team do you want to be on?

Here’s the full tweet from Ortlund that has led to a lot of conversation - and panic:

“A tidal wave of pastor resignations is coming in 2022. But that wave can be greatly lessened by the most powerful gift a congregation can give: the ministry of encouragement. Not more vacations and higher salary but ordinary, specific encouragement is what will keep him afloat.” (Dane Ortlund)

I’d encourage you, as Aaron and Darren jump into this group, to try to help them experience some of the rewards here and now. And do all you can to not make it harder than it has to be on them.

On that note, as we draw to a close, think with me about the hearers of these words, and the response God desires. Did you catch verse 5? Peter writes, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” What’s the Spirit telling us all to do here? To submit to your elders. And that includes me! To be humble, not proud. To be teachable, not stubborn. To throw on humility like a finely tailored suit - that makes you look fine. Or a gorgeous dress that brings out your best features. Garments of pride - they don’t look good on us, church.

Now this doesn’t mean blind obedience. Not submitting to sin or stupidity. But  just realizing that how you respond to leaders in the church matters. And what matters -  not just for pastors but everyone here - is humility.

The encouragement here isn’t just to lead like Jesus. It’s also to follow like Jesus. You might say, “What?” Because you may not know this. Jesus gave Himself to His Father’s plan - the shepherd AND the lamb. He prayed, “Not my will, but Yours, Father.” And He gives us the ultimate example - not just of leading, but of following. And in submitting to His Father’s will, He found what was best - for Him, and for us.

So going back to how I started, we’re men. We’re sinners. That’s for sure. But Karis, we’ve been called by God. We’re trying to hear His voice - and lead the best we can. And God is saying to you, as best as you can, try to follow. It’ll serve us elders well. It’ll be for your good, also. Hear these words from Hebrews 13:17.

Heb. 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Darren, Aaron, you’re asking this congregation to follow you. To follow like Jesus. For that reason, by His grace, for His glory, do all you can to lead like Him - to handle that trust well. Let’s pray.