To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve.
Peter appeals to leaders – not from a position of superiority, but as a fellow leader – to lead by being caring shepherds.
I have a mental picture of sheepdogs – I imagine it comes from watching that ancient TV programme ‘One Man and his Dog’. The dogs scamper around the field rounding up the sheep, getting them through gates, and generally pushing them in the right direction. They probably don’t bite the sheep, but they certainly snap at their heels! That is not the way the shepherd behaves.
Some Christian leaders may occasionally behave more like sheepdogs than shepherds, but that is not the best kind of leadership. Peter’s instruction is “Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care,”
The enduring image of the Good Shepherd comes in Jesus’ teaching
(John 10 v 11) "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” What a wonderful example of leadership. The Good Shepherd cares for the sheep, feeds them, protects them, and in the last analysis is ready to lay down his life for them. This degree of caring is the mark of genuine Christian leadership in the local church.
