What is ministry? While describing what it involves, Peter also provided a good definition with the phrase, “eager to serve” (v.2). Ministry is service. Of course, we have to be a little more specific. There are lots of ways to serve others, but we are speaking specifically of kingdom-related service. The server bringing the lunch you just ordered to your table is serving, but that’s not ministry. The man checking in the back to see if they have the shoes you’re looking at in your size is serving, but that’s not ministry. The mail carrier delivering your mail to your mailbox is serving, but that’s not ministry.
Yet, each of those roles just mentioned could also be viewed as an individual’s personal ministry. The server, the shoe salesman, and the mail carrier could view their jobs as opportunities to serve the physical needs of others while also keeping eyes open to meet spiritual needs as the opportunity arises. Connections with real people can be made, which can lead to conversations, which can lead to Christ, either indirectly or directly. The server can offer to pray for the table that seems to be hurting. The shoe salesman can consistently serve with a smile and a joy that compels customers to ask the reason why. The mail carrier can take moments here and there to get to know the families along the route to build relationships that might lead to invitations. We could call this personal ministry.
There is also congregational ministry. When believers join together as a congregation, it is to see that gospel ministry is carried out. Our school is reviewing its mission statement, which would probably not be a bad thing for the congregation, too. A mission statement is a reminder of the gospel ministry that we gather together to carry out.
Are you only involved in congregational ministry if you’re knocking on doors or visiting members or leading a small group? No – however each of us utilizes the gifts God has given us to care for and put to use the facilities and resources God has given us so that the gospel can continue to be preached, taught, learned, and shared, is congregational ministry. Which ones are most important? All of them.
I could ask which link in the chains holding up the swings on a swingset is the most important. Is it the link by which the swing is attached to the swing set? Is it the link that connects to the seat of the swing? Is it a link somewhere in the middle? They all matter because they all work together to make allow the swing to swing. If any one of them broke, the swing wouldn’t function. So all of the gifts God has given you matter when used in service of the church so that the church can be the church and do what the church has been called to do: communicate Christ. We all work collectively to carry out that congregational ministry.
God wants to make sure that personal and congregational ministry never dry up or cease, so he established the type of ministry which Peter is speaking about in these verses. We call this the public ministry or sometimes representative ministry. This is where pastors, teachers, or staff ministers have been called by groups of Christians to represent and serve them publicly. God has established this office of the public ministry, but he has not designated one specific form, which is why we see a variety of terms in the Bible that apply to this public ministry. A few examples of these ministry titles are “overseers,” “ministers,” and “elders,” as Peter calls them in our verses. While there may be slightly different titles or designations in the public ministry, God has given guidance as to the responsibilities of anyone holding the office of public ministry.
Peter compares the role and responsibility of this gospel ministry to the work of a shepherd. He writes, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care…” (v.2). The apostle Paul used the same picture when encouraging public ministers as he was saying farewell to the congregation he served in Ephesus: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock” (Acts 20:28-29). This is no accident. Why might God use the description of a shepherd to convey what he wants public ministers to do? Because that role is to be a reflection of our Good Shepherd.
Our Good Shepherd looks after us, his sheep. He guides us and guards us. He protects us and provides for us. He corrects us and cares for us. He feeds us and leads us. Every good and beneficial thing in our lives – physically and spiritually – comes to us only because our Good Shepherd is behind it.
And one of the ways our Good Shepherd provides for us spiritually is through his undershepherds – those serving in the public ministry. Pastors are called to carry out the work of the Good Shepherd. Many of the blessings of our Good Shepherd then, he bestows on us through his pastor shepherds
When you hear the pastor’s comforting assurance of the resurrection at the death of a fellow Christian, you are hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd. When the pastor calls on his wayward sheep, you are hearing the loving correction and discipline of your Good Shepherd. When the pastor faithfully feeds you with Word and sacrament, you are really filled with the food of the Good Shepherd’s banquet. The Good Shepherd has given the public ministry, not for the sake of establishing an entourage around popular preachers or spiritual celebrities, but for you to grow closer to your Good Shepherd, to faithfully follow him and commit all that you are and all that you have to him.
How do pastors carry out this public ministry? In positive terms, Peter writes they are to serve willingly, eagerly, and by being an example (vs. 2-3). No one is forced or coerced into ministry but pursues it willingly. No one is installed or ordained into ministry against their will. It is a vocation that is pursued and prepared for, and it is nothing short of the greatest privilege of all.
It is also an extension of what Jesus embodied on the night before he died – a life of proverbial foot-washing – eager service to others. The pastor is called to serve the sheep, not be served by them.
The pastor will also recognize that he is to be an example for the flock. A shepherd will lead not merely with words, but with actions. The shepherd should not expect to see in his sheep what his sheep fail to see in their shepherd.
Peter also states how not to carry out this ministry. Public ministry is never paycheck-driven or geared toward making a buck. While spiritual scam artists have always existed and will always exist, there is no place for such abuse when it comes to shepherding God’s flock. The financially-focused pastor cannot give his undivided attention to caring for souls.
Neither will he abuse the authority or responsibility that has been entrusted to him in watching over the sheep. His is not a position of control, but of care; his is not the calling of tyrant but of servant. His is a high and holy calling from God, and one that is to be a rich blessing to God’s flock as he carries out the public ministry.
And if he’s carrying out his work faithfully, God’s powerful Word will see to it that he is equipping you for both your personal and congregational ministry. You can help him in that role. Just as the shepherd is to be a blessing to his sheep, so also can the sheep be a blessing to their shepherd. How do sheep help their shepherd? Let’s begin with our perception.
Do you see yourself belonging to a congregation merely to “go to church”… or to carry out the ministry the Chief Shepherd has given to you and the congregation? Now for some sheep, it would be a grand step in the right direction just to start going to church regularly. Worship is one of the primary ways the shepherd carries out his role of feeding the sheep – work that is difficult to do if sheep rarely show up to eat.
But there are also sheep who are far too content to feed and feed and feed to the point of being too stuffed for service. They eat, but they do not view the spiritual food as fuel for ministry.
Or, it may be that they are not aware of the personal or congregational ministry opportunities. What are some? Consider a congregation with a school – do they have a school ministry, or do you as a member also have a ministry to your school? How do you view it? When we have Bible classes or services in person and online, are those just for you, or does your ministry also include thinking of and inviting others to those opportunities to be fed? Do you look around as the flock gathers and see other sheep for you to serve or other sheep to serve you? Can you serve your shepherd pastor by heeding his encouragement and applying what he says? Can you see clearly how your personal ministry connects to your congregational ministry?
As sheep, we need to either shape up or stay in shape. The power God’s Word possesses equips us to be great sheep and be a blessing to the shepherd pastor. When that happens we can all focus on adding more sheep to the flock while the flock also cares for itself under the guidance of its shepherd and ultimately the Good Shepherd.
Are sheep ever going to carry out that ministry perfectly? No, and how could they be expected to when there is no shepherd who is able to carry out his ministry perfectly? No sheep deserves to be a part of the flock and no shepherd is deserving of such a title and calling.
That is why the Good Shepherd is necessary. Only through the Good Shepherd – Jesus – can anyone be brought into the flock. He carried out the role of the perfect Lamb of sacrifice when he sacrificed himself on the cross for our sins. His blood alone purifies us to be his sheep.
Only the Good Shepherd qualifies sheep to be in his flock and pastors to shepherd and care for his flock. And he will continue to Shepherd both through his powerful Word – now and into eternity. “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17).