1 Peter 5:1-11: Second Place

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

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. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.  - 1 Peter 5:1-11

In every situation, we are second place. Second to God and second to the people we serve. It always go wrong when we want our needs and desires to be first priority in a church. Shepherds never are praised for prioritizing themselves over the health and well being of the sheep.

Peter was told to feed Jesus' sheep and he feels compelled to tell other church leaders to have the right attitude about being a leader in a church. 

First, don't do it out of a sense of obligation, because you will be letting everyone down or because someone needs to do it or because everyone is looking to you. Do it because you really want to.

Second, don't do it because you are going to get something out of it, but because you want to give yourself away.

Third, don't do it because you want to control how things ought to be done, but because you want to do the same thing: not because they must, but because they want to, not because of what you can get out of it, but because you want to give, not because you can be in control but because you want to show that Jesus is really the one in control.

That's why he reminded them to humble themselves and that would give an opportunity to be raised up, not by standing on the shoulders and backs of other people but because God lifts them up.