Church leaders are not to lord their authority over others (1 Peter 5:3), but rather to serve with humility, remembering that Christ is the true Head of the church (Colossians 1:18).
The Congregation’s Responsibility
While today’s sermon focused primarily on what God asks of leaders, Paul also addresses the congregation. Believers are to:
Church life is a team effort. Leaders lead, but the congregation also carries responsibility for one another. This mutual care and accountability is what makes the church a family, not just an organization.
Remembering Our Leaders
The sermon closes with a call to remember those who have led before us. The author of Hebrews writes: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). We honor our leaders by learning from them, praying for them, and supporting them in their calling.
Whether you are in a position of leadership or a member of the congregation, the call is the same: honor the shepherds God has placed over you, and do your part to build up the body of Christ. The church is not a hierarchy—it is a family. And families work best when everyone plays their role with humility and love.
Scripture References
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 — Respect and honor for church leaders
- 1 Timothy 3:14-15 — The purpose and behavior of the household of God
- 1 Peter 5:1-5 — Shepherding the flock of God
- Colossians 1:18 — Christ as the head of the church
- Hebrews 13:7 — Remembering and imitating faithful leaders
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — Scripture’s sufficiency for teaching and training
Church leadership can feel like a mystery to many believers. Who are the leaders? What do they actually do? And how should the congregation respond to those in authority? This sermon walks through Paul’s teaching to the Thessalonian church, unpacking the God-given roles of church leadership and what it means to honor those who serve.
What Is the Church?
Before looking at the job description of church leaders, we need to understand what the church is and why Jesus established local churches. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:14-15 that he hopes to come to Timothy soon, but is writing so that if he delays, Timothy will know “how one ought to behave in the household of God.” The church is not a building or an institution—it is a family, a household where believers are called to grow in relationship with God and with one another.
The purpose of the local church is to be a place of discipleship, fellowship, worship, and mutual encouragement. Every member plays a role, but God has specifically called some to shepherd and oversee the flock.
The Question That Started It All
A young person in the church recently asked a simple but profound question: “Who are the leaders, and what do they do?” That question led naturally into this passage, because Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians addresses exactly that—the relationship between those in positions of leadership and the people they serve.
Respect Those Who Labor Among You
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13:
“Respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.”
This is the job description for church leaders. They labor—they work hard, often behind the scenes. They oversee and guide the congregation. They encourage and correct. And the response of the church is to respect them deeply, not because they are perfect, but because of the weight of responsibility they carry.
The word “respect” here carries the idea of honoring, valuing, and giving weight to someone’s role. It’s not about blind obedience—it’s about recognizing that God has placed these leaders in positions of service and responding with gratitude and cooperation.
Four Words for Church Leadership
When we talk about church leadership, the Bible uses several terms that are often used interchangeably: overseer, elder, pastor, and leader. Understanding the nuance behind each word helps us grasp the fullness of what church leadership involves.
Overseer (or Bishop)
The term “overseer” (from the Greek episkopos, where we get the word “bishop”) refers to an official position within the local church. It describes the responsibility of watching over the spiritual welfare of the congregation—making sure nothing harmful enters, that believers are growing, and that the teaching remains sound.
Pastor (or Shepherd)
“Pastor” comes from the Hebrew concept of a shepherd. Just as a shepherd guides, protects, and provides for sheep, a pastor does the same for the church family. The role is functional—it’s about the care and feeding of the flock through teaching, counseling, and spiritual guidance.
Elder
“Elder” emphasizes maturity and experience. Church elders are typically men who have demonstrated spiritual maturity and are recognized by the congregation as leaders. The term highlights wisdom, stability, and the weight of life experience in guiding God’s people.
How Church Leaders Are to Lead
When we consider what church leadership looks like in practice, we see from Scripture that leaders are called to:
Church leaders are not to lord their authority over others (1 Peter 5:3), but rather to serve with humility, remembering that Christ is the true Head of the church (Colossians 1:18).
The Congregation’s Responsibility
While today’s sermon focused primarily on what God asks of leaders, Paul also addresses the congregation. Believers are to:
Church life is a team effort. Leaders lead, but the congregation also carries responsibility for one another. This mutual care and accountability is what makes the church a family, not just an organization.
Remembering Our Leaders
The sermon closes with a call to remember those who have led before us. The author of Hebrews writes: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). We honor our leaders by learning from them, praying for them, and supporting them in their calling.
Whether you are in a position of leadership or a member of the congregation, the call is the same: honor the shepherds God has placed over you, and do your part to build up the body of Christ. The church is not a hierarchy—it is a family. And families work best when everyone plays their role with humility and love.
Scripture References
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 — Respect and honor for church leaders
- 1 Timothy 3:14-15 — The purpose and behavior of the household of God
- 1 Peter 5:1-5 — Shepherding the flock of God
- Colossians 1:18 — Christ as the head of the church
- Hebrews 13:7 — Remembering and imitating faithful leaders
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — Scripture’s sufficiency for teaching and training