22 February 2021 Saint Peter’s Chair

Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly.
1 Peter 5:1-4, NRSV

Today’s feast commemorates Christ choosing Peter to sit in his place as the “shepherd” of God’s flock. We know that Peter, and all who have subsequently occupied this chair, were not perfect. Yet in today’s reading Peter himself sets out very clearly the model of leadership that should apply to elders of the community. Theirs is to be a leadership that is different from secular models and to be based on Christ’s example as shepherd. They are to lead by service and example, willingly and with the desire to bring unity to their “flock”.

• • Why did Peter refer to the people of God as a “flock”.?
  • Is the model of leadership described by Peter relevant for our church today?

Pray today for all the elders and leaders of our church communities.

Image – The Apostle Peter – Anton Raphael Mings