If you have been following our blogs, you know that GES is holding our 40th anniversary and national conference this May. We are also offering a VBS for kids during the week. The theme of the VBS is, “The Crowns of the Kingdom.” In each lesson, the kids will learn about one of the crowns named in the NT. I have already done blogs covering the first three crowns (SEE HERE< HERE< AND HERE). In this blog, I will discuss the fourth crown—the crown of glory.
Peter describes this crown in 1 Pet 5:4, saying:
…when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
This crown is promised to faithful shepherds—church leaders who serve the Body of Christ. At VBS, we will tie this to the color red, symbolizing sacrifice and costly leadership. Children will talk about shepherds, King David, and what makes a good leader.
The big idea is that:
“God rewards leaders who serve others, not those who boss people around.”
In Scripture, shepherds feed, protect, and guide. This crown again reinforces the doctrine of rewards. Like all the crowns, it is not given because one has eternal life—which all believers have. Because this crown is a reward that will be given only to leaders in the church who faithfully serve others, it reminds us that believers will receive different rewards in the kingdom.
In this passage, Peter also contrasts the wrong motives of serving for dishonest gain or lording it over others with the right motives of serving willingly and being examples. Those in leadership roles should realize that the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, will one day evaluate how good they were as shepherds of His sheep.
That evaluation is not about heaven or hell, but about whether those in leadership either served well or abused their power. When a person has authority, it is easy to abuse that authority. Of course, this crown has a far more direct application for adults. In a culture obsessed with power and influence, this crown is a sober reminder that we must all appear before the Judge and give an account of how we treated others (2 Cor 5:10). In the kingdom, those who rule with Christ and have positions of leadership will be determined by their faithfulness and by how they led others in this life.
Peter clearly speaks of a specific crown that will be given only to specific people. Most believers will not serve as elders in this life, and the crown of glory is reserved for those who were faithful elders. But the Lord also said that we can all be servants of others and thus be great in His kingdom (Mark 10:45). When believers seek what is best for others, they are serving them.
I might not be eligible for this particular crown of glory because I was never an elder. But I can be a servant. If I am faithful in that service, the Chief Shepherd/Servant will reward me in other ways.
At VBS, children will make crafts that involve sheep and shepherd imagery. They will learn that they are called to serve others. When they do, they will be acting as leaders. They will be setting an example for others to follow. That is pleasing to the greatest Servant of them all. The King will reward all who were like Him.
