The Fuctions of the Pastor
Pastor… this is one office with three titles. The words bishop, elder, and yes, pastor, are used interchangably in the Bible (cf. Acts 20:17-38; Titus 1:5,7a; 1Pet.5:2; 1Tim.5:17). For a review of this biblical expose’ see this post. We have also made lengthy exposition about the character of the pastor here and here if one should wish to read more.
The very words employed by the Holy Spirit are suggestive of the various functions of a pastor. One of the pastor’s primary concerns is to care for the sheep. He is to feed the sheep. He is to protect the sheep. He is to lead the sheep. This involves planing and executing Spirit controlled direction. This must be done with patience and determination. Being a pastor is not for the weak.
One of the pastor’s primary concerns is to care for the sheep.
It is the view of this Baptist, that a pastor should be free from the cares of this world as much as posible. This is one reason the apostle Paul wrote, 1Co 9:9 and 1Ti 5:17-18 Let me reiterate… one of the pastor’s primary concerns is to care for the sheep! This means he is not to be out looking for work ... not under sinks, fixing cars, selling “stuff”, walking a beat, delivering a route, flying a plane, building bridges, designing “things”, paving roads, or repairing military jets. A pastor should not have to be a tent maker! If those in Corinth were really spiritual they would not have to be told “…who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?” (v.7) Paul writes as though this was something that should have been plain to them. Paul gave no less than nine (9) examples of how this should work out, can you lift them from the text? When a church is obedient to her Lord they will have a mutually symbiotic relationship with the pastor that God ordains to lead them.
The pastor, being free from the cares of this world, will be able to view the sheep as one of his primary concerns.
He is to feed the sheep. That is, provide spiritual nourishment. This involves timing, training, and teaching.
He is to protect the sheep. That is, be on the look out, ready to defend from the wolves and bears of ungodly fads, false teaching, and worldly practices.
He is to lead the sheep. That is to set a course and follow it through. A pastor is to be a leader not a pusher. He must go out ahead of the flock and take them were he already is, not tell them were to go. A flock of sheep cannot, and will not, be able to follow one who is standing still. Sheep will wander.
One of the pastor’s primary concerns is to care for the sheep. Feeding, protecting, and leading involves planning and implementing Spirit-controlled direction. This must all be done with patience and fortitude. A favorite book of mine that details the function of the pastor is by A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller.
One of the pastor’s primary concerns is to care for the sheep. Feeding, protecting, and leading involves planing and executing Spirit controlled direction. This must all be done with patience and fortitude. One may ask, “How is this worked out in real life?” We may draw several principals from the Word of God on how this is to be done. Besides his own family, the sheepfold of a local church is only one of the pastor’s primary concerns. There are at least two other responsabilities that should take top priority in the man of God’s choosing, even abbove his calling as a pastor. These two functions are…
Next post: The Top Two Priorities of a Pastor
The very words employed by the Holy Spirit are suggestive of the various functions of a pastor. One of the pastor’s primary concerns is to care for the sheep. He is to feed the sheep. He is to protect the sheep. He is to lead the sheep. This involves planing and executing Spirit controlled direction. This must be done with patience and determination. Being a pastor is not for the weak.
One of the pastor’s primary concerns is to care for the sheep.
It is the view of this Baptist, that a pastor should be free from the cares of this world as much as posible. This is one reason the apostle Paul wrote, 1Co 9:9 and 1Ti 5:17-18 Let me reiterate… one of the pastor’s primary concerns is to care for the sheep! This means he is not to be out looking for work ... not under sinks, fixing cars, selling “stuff”, walking a beat, delivering a route, flying a plane, building bridges, designing “things”, paving roads, or repairing military jets. A pastor should not have to be a tent maker! If those in Corinth were really spiritual they would not have to be told “…who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?” (v.7) Paul writes as though this was something that should have been plain to them. Paul gave no less than nine (9) examples of how this should work out, can you lift them from the text? When a church is obedient to her Lord they will have a mutually symbiotic relationship with the pastor that God ordains to lead them.
The pastor, being free from the cares of this world, will be able to view the sheep as one of his primary concerns.
He is to feed the sheep. That is, provide spiritual nourishment. This involves timing, training, and teaching.
He is to protect the sheep. That is, be on the look out, ready to defend from the wolves and bears of ungodly fads, false teaching, and worldly practices.
He is to lead the sheep. That is to set a course and follow it through. A pastor is to be a leader not a pusher. He must go out ahead of the flock and take them were he already is, not tell them were to go. A flock of sheep cannot, and will not, be able to follow one who is standing still. Sheep will wander.
One of the pastor’s primary concerns is to care for the sheep. Feeding, protecting, and leading involves planning and implementing Spirit-controlled direction. This must all be done with patience and fortitude. A favorite book of mine that details the function of the pastor is by A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller.
One of the pastor’s primary concerns is to care for the sheep. Feeding, protecting, and leading involves planing and executing Spirit controlled direction. This must all be done with patience and fortitude. One may ask, “How is this worked out in real life?” We may draw several principals from the Word of God on how this is to be done. Besides his own family, the sheepfold of a local church is only one of the pastor’s primary concerns. There are at least two other responsabilities that should take top priority in the man of God’s choosing, even abbove his calling as a pastor. These two functions are…
Next post: The Top Two Priorities of a Pastor
posted by J. Wendell at 9:31 AM
