And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:4)

The Lord is a Shepherd (1 Peter 2:25), my Shepherd (Ps 23:1) and the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). He is also the Chief Shepherd. No priest, pastor or elder can take on that role. In contemporary terms, the Lord Jesus is Senior Pastor of the Church universal and also of the church local.

It is important to notice that our verse occurs in a passage addressed to the elders of the church, beginning with:

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ … (1 Peter 5:1)

Peter, whom some in so-called Christendom think of as the shepherd of the church, is very terse in his instructions:

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; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2–3)

Then he finishes with an appeal to the “Chief Shepherd” so as to make it clear that elders (or for that matter any other church leader, regardless of title or name) are not the chief or senior shepherds. Christ is! Much emphasis is given today to who the “pastor” of the church is, with distinctions in “Father,” “Senior,” “Monsignor,” “associate,” “youth,” “executive,” “children’s” or “worship” pastors. The hierarchy would repulse the apostle Peter. Shepherding is a function of spiritual leadership. Peter does not speak of positions or jobs, but of character and function. Primarily the role is voluntary, not a financially compensated career path. It must be according to God’s will, that is, done in God’s way. The role of elder/shepherd is not simply a position of authority to get one’s way, but an opportunity to model the Christian life and ministry so that others will have an example to follow.

Christ is the Chief Shepherd. That means He is the first, He is the best, He is the priority, He is at the head. He is the ultimate overseer. Elders are simply, as some have aptly put it, “undershepherds.” We do well to remember this, both those who are elders and those who are not. We must look to God as our ultimate Shepherd, not to men. And elders must look to the Chief Shepherd for their guidance in being undershepherds of the flock of God.

Lord, I am glad that You and not just mere men are watching over Your church.