Welcome to South! We're glad you joined us today! Below you will find some sermon notes and Bible passages, to help you follow along with Pastor Scott's message in his series entitled "1 Peter: Hope in Suffering". We hope you will be encouraged by what is taught today.

Peter's Choice of Attitudes for Church Pastors

1) The Absence of Pride. Peter models this by using phrases like fellow elder, fellow witness in the sufferings of Christ, and partakers in the glory to be revealed. Peter was also one of the Apostles of Christ, who had the privilege of being present at the Transfiguration of Christ, and who was one of the spokesmen for the early church. But he was very humble in his dealings with people.
2) The Heart of a Shepherd. A shepherd has a willing, rather than a compulsory attitude about serving the sheep.

When a pastor has a willing attitude, his service to the flock will be marked by diligence. He will be putting forth the hard work to prepare for messages in order that he might feed their flock well. He will be putting forth the hard work to pray and ask God for the wisdom needed to lead the sheep well. He will be putting forth the hard work in going after sheep who have gone astray, or caring for sheep who are sick or hurting. Passion. Recognizing that ministry is not something he has to do, but a privilege that God has called him to, and is allowing them to do, a pastor will FEED the flock with EXCITEMENT, he will SERVE the flock with EAGERNESS, he will CARE for the flock with FERVENCY.

3) Sacrificial, rather than greedy attitude.
“For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” (Titus 1:10-11)

4) Meek, rather than oppressive attitude. The phrase “domineering over” really refers to any kind of autocratic, oppressive, and intimidating leadership. This describes a pastor who tries to lead his sheep by driving them from behind rather than going before them. The flock follows the lead of its shepherd. When they see the pastor go before them, they know that it is SAFE for them to go there too.

What can the congregation do?
1) Encourage their pastors, by Faithfully attending. Consistently applying the teaching you are receiving here to your lives. Getting involved and serving within the ministries of the church. Inviting other people to church, because you believe it is a great place to learn about God and grow in your relationship with him.
2) Submit to their leadership “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
3) Support 1 Timothy 5:17-18 says that “The elders who rule well should be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’”