1 FEEDING AND CARING FOR LEADERS john m. dettoni Younger Leaders’ Conference, PCEC 2006

2 Read John 21:15-22

3 John 21: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

4 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

5 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

6 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

7 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

8 WHY TWO DIFFERENT WORDS: “feed” & “care” WHAT IS the different between “TO FEED” LEADERS and “TO CARE” for LEADERS?

9 WHAT DOES “TO FEED” LEADERS MEAN? WHAT DOES “CARE” FOR LEADERS MEAN?

10 Is there a difference between “key” leaders, leaders, and the all the rest of the people of God?

11 Why did Jesus use “lambs” and “sheep” but not “followers?”

12 Read 1 Peter 5:1-11 NOTICE the CONTRAST … NOT THIS…. DO and BE THIS…

13 1 Peter 5: To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:

14 NOT v. 1 “elder” above other elders; not superior; not first among equals not superior position

15 v. 1 Do & Be This: Elders = "older ones in leadership" Peter: Fellow elder, one among many, Rather: equality, an elder together (sumpresbuteros) Why “fellow elder?” Be Shepherds Feed, Care for the flock as overseers (episkopountes) Active actions, not passive Responsibility to care, feed, to act like a shepherd. cf. Ez. 34; Ps. 23; Jn 10:1-18.

16 2. Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;

17 v. 2NOT compulsion duty, obligation reluctantly NOT FORCED to Care for people!!

18 v. 2 NOT: greed for money selfishness, egocentric zeal for self, money leadership is not a job

19 v. 2 DO & BE THIS: Willingly following God's will "as God wants you." God calls us to leadership: Mk. 1:17-18; 2:14 Eagerly, willingly, e called Ministry of shepherd-servant leader = compassion, concern, love, care, and hard work! Leaders do not have these values and behaviors based on duty or compulsion.

20 v. 2 DO & BE THIS: Selflessly other centered zeal for God a calling/vocation!

21 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

22 v. 3 NOT: Lord it over others: Authoritarian, tyrant, domineering Organizational mindset of power, position, prestige REMEMBER: Everyone is entitled to respect

23 v. 3 DO & BE THIS: Entrusted with sheep, to care for them -- being a shepherd-leader servant-leader/elder Sheep are not one's own, owner entrusts them to the shepherd-servant-leader Be Example --live in church is as family, church- an organism not organization

24 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

25 v. 4 NOT THIS: Reward: short-term glory of others

26 v. 4 DO & BE THIS: Chief shepherd cf. Heb. 13:10; Jn 10:11,14 He gives authority and power; Leaders never have these on their own; power and authority are always derived, gifts to be used for Christ and His Kingdom. cf Mt. 28:18 Reward - crown of glory that never fades, not money, power, prestige

27 5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

28 vv. 5,6 NOT: Proud, unsubmissive Stiff-necked, resistant, proud Self-sufficient, Independent Ego-centric Take care of self first

29 vv. 5 & 6 DO & BE THIS: Submissive: younger to older. Why important? Clothe selves with humility (apron of slave, marked their status as slaves -- cf. Jn 13:4) Humble towards each other Christ will lift you Mutual humility – why? See v. 5 re younger vs. older?

30 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

31 v. 7NOT THIS: Anxious

32 v. 7 DO & BE THIS: Cast all anxiety on him --entrusting self to Christ! Peaceful - "He cares for you" so relax. Why? Because leaders concern for future, plans, execution of plans, etc. Concern that everything works out well.

33 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

34 vv 8-9 NOT THIS: Negative character traits: worried, spiritually immature, unspiritual: Lacking self-control Lethargic, inattentive Vacillating Being devoured by Satan & yielding to him

35 vv. 8, 9 DO & BE THIS: Positive Character Traits: Spiritually mature Self-controlled cf Gal. 5:23 Alert Stand firm because of Satan & difficulties Resist Satan (Jas. 4:7 Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee)

36 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

37 vv No negatives. DO & BE THIS: God of grace will-- Restore (mending holes in net, setting a broken bone) Strengthen, Make you firm, Steadfast

38 Literally: He himself will restore what is broken so that it is as good as new; He will : confirm, establish, strengthen strengthen, make strong establish, strength, as a strong and firm foundation). a solid standing, firm foundation, unshakable.

39 In small groups: Based on John 21 and 1 Peter 5, What 1.major values (what is important to leader), 2. major attitudes (way of thinking) 3. major actions does a leader need to possess in order to feed and care for his/her leaders? List at least 3 in each category!

40 Caring for leaders and others is NOT just a mechanical skill

41 Caring is a combination of attitude, belief, and activity that…

42 affirms others,

43 encourages others,

44 comforts others,

45 urges/pushes others,

46 to keep on developing, growing, maturing and leading more and more like Jesus!

47 © 2006, John M. Dettoni, San Clemente, CA Permission is granted for unrestricted non-commercial use of this PowerPoint material. This permission includes making duplicates and distributing the same either via print and/or electronically. Request for permission for commercial use (where a profit is involved) must be directed to the author: Dr. John M. Dettoni 311 West Avenida Gaviota San Clemente, CA USA phone: