Its requirements are faultless character, spiritual maturity, and above all a willingness to serve humbly. Every church leader is a shepherd. It is appropriate imagery. A shepherd leads, feeds, nurtures, comforts, corrects, and protects. Those are responsibilities of every churchman.
Shepherds are without status.
In most cultures, shepherds occupy the lower rungs of society's ladder. Under the plan God has ordained for the church, leadership is a position of humble, loving service. Church leadership is ministry , not management . Those who would lead God's people must above all exemplify sacrifice, devotion, submission, and lowliness. If the Lord of the universe would do that, no church leader has a right to think of himself as a bigwig.