A Leadership Podcast – 1 Peter 5:1-5

When you look across history,
you see the pattern—
good leaders steady the ground beneath us.
Workplaces flourish under good bosses,
families grow under gentle parents,
whole nations rise when wise hands
guide the wheel.

And the opposite is also true:
harsh, domineering, or careless leaders
scatter harm in every direction.

The church knows this too.
We bear scars from shepherds
who forgot the flock,
who craved control,
who chased money,
or taught what never came from God.
It should not never happen.

In suffering, leadership matters even more.
Strength matters.
Gentleness matters most.

You are a shepherd.
Not a CEO,
not a brand curator,
not a motivational speaker—
a shepherd.
One entrusted with souls
no pastor owns,
for these people belong to God.

Know them.
Feed them with the deep nourishment of Scripture.
Protect them from wolves,
from smooth talkers and half-truths.
Lead them gently
from one pasture to another.

We serve not begrudgingly
and not for gain.
We walk ahead of the flock,
not driving them from behind.
Like Jesus—
the Shepherd who gave His life—
we lead by example,
character wider than our words,
faithfulness seen in the things done
when no one applauds.

Above all stands
the Chief Shepherd.
This is His flock,
His pasture,
His care—perfect and unwavering.
We are under-shepherds,
answerable to Him.
Humbled by His authority,
sobered by His accountability,
encouraged by His promise.

And what a promise—
when He appears,
He brings a reward,
a crown that does not fade,
shining with the delight
of the One whose applause
outlasts every earthly cheer.

And to the flock—
submission is never forced,
never blind.
But when freely given,
it makes leadership a joy.
Pray for your leaders,
and clothe yourselves—
all of you—
in humility.

Leadership matters.
It always has.
Good shepherding
is never about the shepherd.
It is always about the flock,
and always,
finally,
about the Chief Shepherd
who calls us by name
and leads us home.

Original message by Andrew West, The Bridge Church Macquarie Park NSW
30 November 2025