Read
Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly; as God would have you do it—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.
Meditate
Today’s message
I carry this in my heart: being a pastor is not a profession, it is a calling. A profession earns a salary; a calling gives life. This is how I learned to walk: when pain knocks at a door, we go. When the family is alone, we arrive. Readiness has no perfect agenda; it is a response to the call. 1 Peter 5 reminds us that the flock belongs to God. I do not own anyone. I was called to care, serve, and point to Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep.
Peter speaks to the elders as one who knows affliction and sees the glory that is to come. He aligns us: care for the flock willingly, with a ready heart; not for gain; not dominating people, but being examples. It is holy and it is simple. Sheep are free. Shepherding is not control; it is care. Hebrews 13 reminds us: honor the leaders, for they will give an account. This protects the church and also guards the heart of the leader.
Some aspects when we look at the staff
- The staff serves to give direction — the shepherd gives direction.
- The staff serves to give instruction — the shepherd gives instruction and shows the way.
- The staff serves to pick up the sheep when it falls into a hole — the shepherd rescues and brings it close.
- The staff also serves to correct — the shepherd corrects when necessary.
The pastor serves. Pastor is not a title.
This symbol is not mystical; it is a living memory of God's care. Moses raised a staff before the sea. Jacob walked for years leaning on it. In Psalm 23, the rod and the staff comfort. When we place ourselves under a faithful pastoral staff, we are not under domineering men; we are under the staff of Christ, our Shepherd.
Pastor’s attitudes according to 1 Peter 5
- Care for the flock of God willingly, with a willing heart.
- Reject shameful gain and maintain a ready spirit to serve.
- Do not dominate God's inheritance, but inspire by example.
- Remember: the flock belongs to God and Jesus is the Chief Shepherd.
My prayer is that pastors and the church walk this way: service before title, example before microphone, presence before speech. When the Chief Shepherd appears, there is an unfading crown of glory. Until then, we stand firm: direction without harshness, correction with love, rescue without humiliation, instruction with clarity. Place yourself under the staff of Christ, honoring pastoral care, and walk free to obey Jesus.
Did you know
- In Exodus 14, God commands Moses to raise the staff, and the Red Sea opens for Israel to pass through on dry ground.
- Jacob worked for years shepherding Laban's flocks; he mentions days of heat and nights of cold guarding the cattle (Genesis 31).
- Hebrews 13:17 states that spiritual leaders watch over souls and will give an account to God for this care.
Key phrases
- Pastor is not a profession, pastor is a calling.
- The flock belongs to God, not the pastor.
- We shepherd free people.
- When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Translated from the Portuguese original.
Seek
To seek today
Go deeper
Go deeper
Pastoral Ordination - Born for God Thirst and Peppers
Watch