shepherd the flock of God...

1 Peter 5:1-4 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

From this text we can see a few (of the many!) points regarding pastoral ministry:

1. The pastor is one elder amongst a plurality of men who lead the local church.

2. The pastor is to SHEPHERD the flock of God by leading, guiding, protecting, guarding, rebuking, disciplining, and restoring.

3. The pastor is to shepherd the FLOCK OF GOD by devoting most of His time to raising up the saved and regenerated individuals to maturity in Christ.

4. The pastor is to shepherd the flock of God AMONG THEM. The pastor is not to be overly concerned and preoccupied with all the Christians in the country but he is to *primarily* shepherd the flock of God which God has sovereignly given to him.

5. The pastor is to called to shepherd God's people voluntarily (=willingly, happily, eagerly, joyfully) and not under compulsion. The pastor must be a man who works hard and who does well "on the job" while, at the same time, doing his work eagerly, heartfully, joyfully, happily, and voluntarily.