I’ve always found it interesting that Peter warns Elders in the local
church never to pastor or lead the flock of God “under compulsion, but
willingly” (1 Peter 5:2).
Why would anyone ever submit to pressure to serve as an Elder? What
could possibly motivate a man to serve under compulsion? Here are some
possibilities.
- his love or desire for the praise and approval of others
- his desire to avoid the disdain and rejection of those whose approval and respect he craves
- he sees ministry as an opportunity to become famous and well-known and acknowledged in public
- he yields to pressure put upon him by parents, educators, mega-church leaders
- he feels incompetent to do anything else in life
- he mistakenly believes that a life of ministry merits favor with God
No one should ever be pressured into serving as an Elder. God wants
our ungrudging service. Note well the use of the cognate noun translated
“under compulsion” in 2 Corinthians 9:7 with regard to giving – “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Continue at Sam Storms
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