5. Not Lording It over the Church but Being Patterns of the Flock

In 1 Peter 5:3, Peter, as an elder of a local church, exhorts the elders of local churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia (1 Pet. 1:1) “not to lord it over [their] allotments,” but to be “patterns of the flock.” Witness Lee expounds on this verse in order to explain this particular function of the elders of a local church.

In 1 Peter 5:3 Peter says to the elders, “Nor as lording it over the allotments, but becoming patterns of the flock.” To lord it over others is to exercise lordship over those who are ruled (Matt. 20:25). Among the believers, besides Christ there should be no lord. All should be servants, even slaves (Matt. 20:26-27; 23:10-11). The elders in the church can only take the leadership (not the lordship), which all the believers should honor and follow (1 Thes. 5:12-13; Heb. 13:7). Literally, the word “allotments” means lots, portions; hence, allotments, portions entrusted. Here this word refers to the flock. The churches are God’s possession, allotted to the elders as their allotments, their portions, entrusted to them by God for their care.

The church is God’s flock and His possession. The elders have been appointed by God to be shepherds of the flock. Hence, God has allotted the church in their locality to them for their care. The church in a particular locality is God’s possession; it is not the possession of the elders. But God has allotted that church to the elders so that they may care for it and shepherd it. Furthermore, the church is allotted to the elders for their care only temporarily. For eternity the church is God’s possession. Even the elders themselves are a part of the church as the possession of God. (2164)

Witness Lee also stresses the need for the elders to function as living examples, patterns of the local church rather than lords over them, just as the “head sheep” serve as patterns of the flock.

Instead of lording it over the allotments, the elders should become patterns of the flock. This means that they take the lead to serve and care for the church so that the believers may follow. We may say that the elders are the head sheep, those sheep that are in the front of the flock taking the lead so that all the sheep may follow. Instead of lording it over the church, the elders, as the leading sheep, should be patterns of the flock.

According to the Lord’s word in the Gospels and Peter’s word in his Epistle, the elders are not to have any control at all. The elders should not be rulers but slaves who serve and do not control. God is the Owner of the flock and the Master, and the elders are His slaves to serve Him by taking care of the flock, setting themselves up as living examples.

According to the New Testament teaching, there is no rank for the elders. There is also no controlling power for the elders, because they do not have any rank. The elders do not have any right to control. The clear word of the New Testament does not allow any ground for the elders to take rank or controlling power. (2164-2165)

1.	Being Overseers in the Local Church
2.	Taking the Lead in the Local Church
3.	Teaching in the Local Church
4.	Shepherding the Local Church
5.	Not Lording It over the Church but Being Patterns of the Flock
6.	Taking Care of the Finances in the Local Church