neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
The word "heritage" (kleeros) primarily means "to cast lots or to choose by lots" (Acts 1:26). Literally, in this passage, "what is obtained by lot or allotted portion." The reference is to persons whose care and oversight have been assigned. In the local church the administration has been allotted to the overseers; they, in turn, have allotted to them the flock, their heritage or lot. No other flock of God is theirs. The congregation is the "kleroo" of God. "Kleros" is the word for clergy and is applied to the congregation, not to preachers. Elders are not the clergy; they are over the clergy, the members.