Elders Are Not To Be Domineering

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: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Peter 5:1-4).

In this chapter of the book of 1 Peter, we see the Apostle Peter addressing the leaders of the churches in Asia Minor. He instructs them to shepherd the flock of God is among them. The elders are to care for the members of the church. They are to watch over them as one who cares about their walk with Jesus and may not even get something in return for it.

Elders are charged with the care of God's people. When elders ask about how are things, they want to know what is going on. Elders should care about the spiritual and physical well-being of their congregation. It is not "Big Brother is watching over you," it is caring leaders looking out for you. They may speak about things in your life that could lead to sin and wants to prevent that from happening. They are to speak the truth in love and it may hurt at times.

Notice that this passage also says that elders are not to be "domineering over those in your charge" (1 Peter 5:3). Other translations may say, not being lords or lording over them. What does this mean? A study note in the Reformation Study Bible says, "Peter warns against haughty abuse of power and exhorts his audience to be like Jesus."

Elders are not to be men who are abusive in their power. They are not to be men who should be intimidating you to do something that could actually lead you into sin or become very legalistic in your walk with Christ. Lets take the issue of attendance for example. You're faithful on Sunday mornings, you attend every Bible study possible, and you even serve in an area of ministry at church. Then one day an elder comes and asks why are you not attending prayer meeting on Wednesday evenings, which is a common practice in most churches. You give a valid reason why you are not there. Its not because you don't want to pray with the church, but you might have a work schedule that prevents you from coming. You might have to help an aging family member to make sure they are taken care of. You have good reasons for not being there, however, the elder starts attacking your character and your commitment to the church because you are not there every Wednesday night and even questions if you are a true believer.

That is an example of being domineering. An elder who wants to lead Christ-like would be considerate about the situation this particular person was in. Was this person faithful to worship on the Lord's day? Yes, but the elder, in this particular situation, judged this church member unfairly because of a lack of attendance for one service.

I know there are other examples like this or maybe some completely different, but God's word says that elders are not be "lording over us." They are not be the "God police." Yes, they are suppose to care for us and shepherd us, but not in way where you feel you must do something in order for them to get off your back.

I pray that our churches are filled with elders who care for the flock, speak in grace and truth into their flock's lives, and not be domineering.