Day 22 | Pastors, Elders, and Overseers

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:1-4

Yesterday we spent time praying for weary and discouraged members of our church family. Interestingly enough, Peter wrote his first letter to encourage fellow first-century believers who were experiencing much of the same as a result of the persecution happening all around them. Toward the end of his letter, Peter takes a moment to both challenge and encourage the elders (also called pastors and overseers) to continue to lead and shepherd well in the midst of it all.

We may not face the same degree of persecution as Peter’s first-century audience did, but the people of God are still confronted with many challenges from within and without. As a result, churches need godly men who will “exercise oversight” and lead with thick skin and soft hearts.

Today we pray for our pastor, that he would be one of these men—and because God has designed his church to led by a plurality of these kinds of men, would you also pray that the Lord will raise up biblically-qualified men (see 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) here at Heartland City to help shoulder the load of leading and loving the church well?

Prayer prompt: Pray for our pastor and future elders to lead with humility and courage.