Under Shepherds

Peter now directly addresses church leaders, even identifying himself as "a fellow elder."  Elders act as shepherds who await their Shepherd.  Knowing that their reward is Christ the Good Shepherd, elders should serve with humility and eagerness, happy to give themselves to the Church for which Christ gave himself.  Peter is careful to remind the church that the call to humility is not for elders only, but for the whole Body, that elders may serve "with joy and not with groaning." (Hebrew 13:17).