Some people who insist on leaderless meetings are in fact dominating personalities themselves. They find ways to control the activities without admitting that they are in fact leading. Intimidation and claiming "the Spirit says," are some of the tools used.

Yes Dan, this is sadly true. I've seen it even in the lives of the "experts." Experts who later deny it... :)

When Jesus repeats his words - it's time for everyone to take notice. Jesus did not envision a formal caste of priestly clergymen but he did foresee the natural leadership of the older ones (elder/overseers) watching out for the others.

Notice that he did not announce that everyone was to become a self-shepherd or self-feeder or that He - Jesus - would become their only earthly shepherd. True, He is the Good Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd. We would not want to diminish these blessed realities in any way.

And please notice that this shepherding was in response to... truly loving Him. Again, he did not advise them that He would take care of all the shepherding in the church, in this life. Nor did he advise them to chill out and "just be" or "just be the church". These slogans may have an element of truth, but are starting to wear thin.

There is a time to believe and there is a time act. To act upon that belief in his strength alone, of course.

To make things more interesting and to drive this point home, clever Jesus changed the words slightly. Consider these words from this source.

Jesus gave Peter a three-fold command to “feed my sheep” in John 21:15-17. Each time Jesus said, “Feed my sheep,” it was in response to Peter’s three-fold declaration of love for Jesus. The setting was one of the last of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to His disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus prepared a breakfast of fish and bread for them, and then commissioned Peter with the task of feeding His sheep and tending His lambs.

The three commands, although often translated the same way, are subtly different. The first time Jesus says it, the Greek means literally “pasture (tend) the lambs” (v. 15). The Greek word for “pasture” is in the present tense, denoting a continual action of tending, feeding and caring for animals. Believers are referred to as sheep throughout Scripture. “For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (Psalm 95:7). Jesus is both our Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and the Door of the sheepfold (John 10:9). By describing His people as lambs, He is emphasizing their nature as immature and vulnerable and in need of tending and care.

The second time, the literal meaning is “tend My sheep” (v. 16). In this exchange, Jesus was emphasizing tending the sheep in a supervisory capacity, not only feeding but ruling over them. This expresses the full scope of pastoral oversight, both in Peter’s future and in all those who would follow him in pastoral ministry. Peter follows Jesus’ example and repeats this same Greek word poimaino in his first pastoral letter to the elders of the churches of Asia Minor: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers” (1 Peter 5:2).

The third time, the literal translation is “pasture (tend) the sheep” (v. 17). Here Jesus combines the different Greek words to make clear the job of the shepherd of the flock of God. They are to tend, care for, and provide spiritual food for God’s people, from the youngest lambs to the full-grown sheep, in continual action to nourish and care for their souls, bringing them into the fullness of spiritual maturity. The totality of the task set before Peter, and all shepherds, is made clear by Jesus’ three-fold command and the words He chooses.

You (I) - do you (I) truly love him? Then we should act and let our lights shine for his glory.