The Role of Elders in the Pastoral Care of the Congregation Based on 1 Peter 5:3: A Qualitative Study Using an Exegetical Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53827/lz.v9i2.46Keywords:
elders; pastoral care; exemplary conduct; 1 Peter 5:3; pastoral leadershipAbstract
Elders bear an important responsibility for nurturing the spiritual life of the congregation. Therefore, their leadership should be understood not only in terms of oversight but also in terms of how authority is exercised in pastoral care. This study aims to analyze the role of elders based on 1 Peter 5:3, taking into account the context of 1 Peter 5:1–5. It employs a qualitative, library-based research method with a historical-exegetical approach, examining the literary and historical context of the passage and its relevant Greek expressions. The analysis indicates that the phrase typoi ginomenoi tou poimniou (“being examples to the flock”) emphasizes exemplary conduct as the opposite of domineering over the congregation. Within the broader context of the passage, this principle is related to the responsibility to shepherd and oversee the congregation willingly, rather than under compulsion or for personal gain. The findings suggest that the role of elders encompasses setting an example through their lives and conduct, providing pastoral care for the congregation, and exercising authority without domination. This study concludes that exemplary conduct is a theological principle that guides the exercise of pastoral responsibility. In contemporary church contexts, this principle can serve as a biblical foundation for developing pastoral leadership characterized by integrity, concern for the spiritual needs of the congregation, and a commitment to fostering spiritual growth and strengthening congregational fellowship.
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