The Crown of Glory

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: ² shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

1 Peter 5:1-4

Peter exhorted those given oversight in the Body of Christ to volunteer willingly and not to be motivated by financial gain.  It is fitting those who labour in the Word of God and sow spiritual things reap a reward according to God's gracious provision (1 Corinthians 9:7-11; 1 Timothy 5:17-18).  The opportunity for income should never, however, enter into our motive for Christian service.  If earning money is why we "serve" we are nothing more than hirelings who flee at the first hint of trouble to save their own skin, lacking love for the sheep of Christ's flock.  It may be cliche to say pastoral work is not a career but a calling, yet it is a calling which is a lifelong career--whether in a paid position or not.

This passage makes it clear to embark in the ministry because it is a paid position would be "dishonest gain" or "filthy lucre" in the KJV.  Peter says those worthy of financial support are those who gladly do the exact same job for free if they had the time and opportunity.  Those in leadership or overseeing the church ought not to live as kings and queens, seeking to control or subjugate others under them.  We are to be examples for others as Jesus set an example for His disciples when He washed their feet.  This was not a one-off humbling of Himself but provided a practical illustration which they were to follow.  Jesus humbled Himself to become a man of no reputation, took the form of a servant, and willingly laid down His life to save sinners.

When I became aware of God's call and gifting of me to teach, I identified with Luke Skywalker tinkering with droids and being restricted to a moisture farm in a desert when he wanted to fly a ship in space.  Initially there was a part of me that felt like nothing less than a recognised pastoral position at a church was sufficient.  But quickly I realised God had already given me a wife and children, an opportunity to teach children at Sunday School, and even lead a Bible study.  Since my calling and ordination did not come from men I did not need to tell anyone what God had shown me (which later was miraculously confirmed):  I voluntarily stepped up my efforts in study and teaching in preparation for a day in the future I could not predict.  In time God graciously opened doors He enabled me to step through, and the doors He opens no man can close.

Whether we serve at church in a paid or unpaid position, we should have the mindset of eager volunteers who are joyful to contribute.  Ministry in the church should never be seen as a chore or something we "have" to do but service we delight to do for the glory of God.  The glory of this earth fades and money grows wings and flies away, but those who humbly serve Jesus "will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."