Profiling The Pastor

PROFILING THE PASTOR

In the Old Testament, Israel was a predominantly pastoral people; its religious concepts were therefore colored by the vocabulary and vocational habits familiar to a pastoral community. So we find the image of sheep and the shepherd used again and again. The figure of the shepherd is applied to Yahweh, and it is also applied to Israel's national leaders.

When we come to the New Testament, however, the image attains its highest prominence. This is particularly true as we come to the chapter now before us. In 1 Peter 5:1-4 Peter focuses his attention upon the leadership of the church; this leadership is vested in the Pastors.

Peter knew that the pastors would go through greater suffering as leaders of the people, so he reminds them that Christ had suffered for them and would sustain them; and that Glory always follows Gloom if we submit to the Lord vs.1

As he closes this letter of encouragement, Peter gives three exhortations to the Pastor.

I. FEED THE FLOCK vs.2a… Calling

II. SERVE THE SHEEP vs.2b-3… Character

III. REAP THE REWARD vs.4… Compensation