Power can be deceptive. Just when we think we have it—a position of leadership, a promotion, the ear of important people, an opportunity to speak—it starts to work against us. Our best defense against this kind of trouble is to clothe ourselves with humility. If we aren’t intentional to remain surrendered to Jesus as leaders, we become puppets. And like a creepy marionette show, we will be moving and shifting to the rhythm of power instead of mercy. The problem with this leadership scenario is that the people under our care get tangled up and hurt by the ties we have to power.
We can’t talk about leading as shepherds without looking at 1 Peter 5. Peter’s exhortation to leaders breaks down the real struggle we face between leadership and power. While he reminds us that our Chief Shepherd is Jesus and how humility is necessary, Peter also raises three red flags to watch for as we lead—compulsion, shameful gain, and domineering.
Before we take a look at those things, I want to highlight his introduction. It is an important qualifier. Peter is exhorting fellow leaders because he is one and has shared in the sufferings of Christ.
But his last statement in the introduction is the one that grabs me the most.
[I am] a partaker of the glory that is going to be revealed.
This a sweet, hopeful reminder of why we lead. In short, Peter is saying, “Hey listen, I get it. I’m a fellow leader. I’ve suffered because of Christ, but let’s not forget our end goal—GLORY.”
Friends, if we are leading for any other reason than the glory that comes with Jesus, we are in it for the wrong reasons.
3 Red Flags and 1 Commonality
- Compulsion, simply put, is a lack of self-control. A leader who can’t control their words, actions, and reactions, will eventually try to compel others into their impulsive instincts. It poses a manipulative, chaotic threat. In contrast, Peter charges us to be shepherds with oversight which involves vision and discipline for both us and those we oversee.
- Shameful gain occurs in leadership when we use our position to increase ourselves, and shepherding becomes more about our future, fame, power, advantages, etc. Stepping on the backs of the sheep to promote ourselves is not shepherding. Peter contrasts this with eagerness. Our enthusiasm for leading should be to see others grow into maturity as disciples.
- Domineering is defined as arbitrary and overbearing control. This type of leadership is not only forceful but has no particular reason or need. Getting cheap thrills from being in leadership is a far, far cry from the heart of God. Domineering leaders make servants, but the Bible calls us sons and daughters, friends of God. Peter urges us to lead by example, not control.
There is commonality shared by all three red flags. Pride. Peter concludes by reminding us that we have an adversary even as leaders, especially as leaders. Humility is our only defense against pride. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to humble. We have to clothe ourselves in humility, watch, resist, and stand firm in faith.
The Chief Shepherd is Jesus. There is no authority or leadership position that trumps our surrender to Jesus. Following his example makes us the best kind of leaders, and remaining surrendered in humility makes the illusions of power easily recognized. Let’s follow our leader.
Brave Sparrow 
This is so helpful.
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