The Role of a Pastor Elder Rick Oliver Introduction Jeremiah was the son of Hilkiah, a priest living in Anathoth, three miles northeast of Jerusalem in the land of Benjamin. Jeremiah received his call from God during the thirteenth year of King Josiah. Jeremiah protested his call pleading his youth as an excuse, but he was assured by God that the Lord had already chosen him from the womb and would deliver him. Jeremiah was to remain unmarried and speak whatsoever God commanded him. God s purpose for Jeremiah was to up-root the nations by proclaiming the judgment of God unto a people that would resist him. Because of this Jeremiah was persecuted by his own family, the townspeople of Anathoth and eventually the entire nation of Judah. Yet Jeremiah weeps repeatedly over Judah s coming destruction and thus was called the weeping prophet. Jer 1:17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. Jer 1:18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. Jer 1:19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee. Jeremiah s call was ordained by God Jeremiah felt inadequate only a youth Jeremiah was sent to a people who would not receive him Jeremiah was enabled by God for the task The Calling One does not choose the ministry. This calling is not by the will of man (Eph 1:1, 2Tim 1:1, 2 Tim 1:9). It is an incredible call, unequaled by any other vocation in the world. God himself, the creator of the universe, the sovereign God throughout eternity is the one whom initiates and implements this call. Throughout the scriptures God has always personally called His servants. This is a special, spiritual relationship with God through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit and it is not common to all, it is a special calling from God. The Enabling God equips those He calls to fulfill the specific purpose for which He intends. God has never called anyone whom He did not enable or give the opportunity for them to accomplish his will. However God does expect of those He calls to develop the skills which are required for ministry. Little effort produces little results. A minister should continually progress the rest of His life toward scholarship. Weather self-educated or through seminary his responsibility to God to develop his skills remains the same. The bible instructs the minister to become educated. God does not call the able but he enables the called.
2 Tim 2:15 Study (be diligent NASB) to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. STUDY - spoudazo, spoo-dad'-zo; from G4710; to use speed, i.e. to make effort, be prompt or earnest:--do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study The Office of Pastor Definition: In Latin, the word for shepherd is "pastor". In English, "pastor" is generally used to mean a clergyman or preacher. However in the scriptures it refers exclusively to the shepherds (elders) of a congregation, not the preachers or evangelists. Synonyms: Overseer, bishop, shepherd, elder, presbyter Greek References and Scripture: There are four Greek words rendered by seven English words: Here are the Greek, English, Strong's reference, and scripture examples 1. επισκοπος episkopos overseer (bishop) (1985 cf 1983-4) Tit 1:7, Php 1:1, Acts 20:28 2. ποιμην poimeen shepherd (pastor) (4166 cf 4165-8) Eph 4:11, 1Pe 2:25, 1Pe 5:1-4, Acts 20:28 3. πρεσβστερος presbuteros elder (presbyter) (4245 cf 4243-7) 1Pe 5:1, Tit 1:5, Acts 20:17, 1Tm 4:14 4. προιστημι proisteemi VERB to rule / ruler (4291) 1Th 5:12, 1Tm 5:17 A comparison of these passages will show that the terms overseer, bishop, shepherd, pastor, elder, presbyter, and ruler, are synonymous and interchangeable. They are simply different words for the same thing. The office of pastor goes beyond a call to preach. There must also be a personal, God given desire for pastoral work. Not only must a man meet specific qualifications, he must be placed by the Holy Spirit into a work and have a sincere desire or burden for that work. Without a weighty desire to serve in this capacity a man commits an injustice towards God, the church and his own ministry. Holy Spirit placed pastors will avoid politics and wait on God. A pastor must put up with many kinds of problems including hostility and personal attack, therefore he must be commissioned and equipped by the Holy Spirit to endure the numerous challenges he must face. 1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. The Responsibilities of a Pastor The pastor's role is that of a steward. Pastors are not owners of the flock. The flock is God's. God is the owner, pastors are the under-shepherds HOWEVER HE IS TO OVERSEE WHAT BELONGS TO GOD.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with his own blood." The pastor works under the great shepherd, our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Jesus is the pastor's model also to whom the pastor is accountable. Being entrusted with what belongs to God requires careful and studied stewardship, a holy lifestyle and constant devotion towards God. He must be an example unto the flock in spirituality and fidelity. His prayer-life must also be consistent. By his sermons and his teaching, he shows his love to God and to the congregation. It will be obvious in the messages a pastor preaches when he is not growing in his walk with God and is not spending many hours in scripture. An overseer does not mean the pastor is to handle all administration. Many confuse the spiritual responsibility of the pastor with the carnal duties within the church. The apostles did not have time for administration and neither do pastors today, and many pastors need to learn to relinquish control rather than trying to gain it. The priority of the apostles was prayer and the teaching of the scriptures, the bible. Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. The three primary responsibilities of the pastor is the ministry of the word, his walk with the Lord and his service to the people. The pastor must preach faithfully the word of God. The pastor must be continually given unto the Lord in prayer. The pastor has a responsibility to the pray for God s people. The pastor must love the people as deeply as the Lord loves His church. The pastor must be an example and a person of complete faith and trust. The pastor must be apt to teach. The pastor must be a spiritual leader. The pastor s actions must reflect the spirit of Christ. The Peculiar Challenges of the Pastor 90% of pastors work more than 46 hours per week. 1 of 3 pastors says, "Being in the ministry is clearly a hazard to my family." 1 of 3 pastors feel burned out within the first 5 years of ministry. 70% of pastors do not have someone they would consider a close friend. 90% of pastors feel they were not adequately trained to cope with the ministry demands placed upon them. 75% of pastors have reported a significant crisis due to stress at least once in their ministry. 40% of pastors have reported a serious conflict with a member at least once a month. The Charles E. Fuller Institute of Evangelism & Church Growth survey A pastor must seek God s counsel when dealing with problems. If action is necessary God will direct him of when and how he must proceed. Waiting for God is vital when dealing with problematic issues. The wrong words, actions or timing could do more damage to God s cause and the Lord s church than the problem itself.
A pastor must learn to adapt to various differences within each particular church. Every church has different customs and policies and often, if he does not adapt, he will soon sacrifice the pastorate. Policies that do not threaten the doctrinal soundness of the body or the spiritual health of the church are not worth a disruption. A pastor must remember that he is a servantleader. His mission is the serve the church of the living God. The Teaching Ministry 2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 2 Tim 2:24 And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, (NASB) Someone once said the key to success was 90% attitude and 10% effort. Enthusiasm and a positive attitude will do more to reflect ones inner desire than any amount of knowledge. A condescending attitude will invoke a negative response despite the content of right or wrong. A minister was recently seen publicly in his neighborhood screaming at his young son because he had wrongly cut the grass. Such a display caused the neighbors to lose a certain amount of respect for the minister. The problem wasn t that the child was defiant but that he had not been properly trained. Often our methods of teaching are very similar. Rather than teaching by example and repetition one s attitude may be perceived as a constant rebuke. Preaching and teaching the word in the spirit of Christ, which is love, is a necessity. Teach by Example Teach by Repetition Teach with Careful and Studied Preparation Dealing with People As long as the human factor exists in the church there will be problems. Dealing with individuals whose lives have been overtaken by sin, church members who struggle for power or control within the body, individuals whose actions are governed by their own desires and motives, people who lash out in defense of their own inadequacies or insecurities are just a few traits that are common to all. Pastors often act as mediators, counselors or even psychiatrist. In every case there is a common answer: prayer, following the word and pointing individuals toward Christ. Not everyone will receive counsel or instruction but some will. In every confrontation God will vindicate the pastor who stands for His truth. The pastor must remain meek and humble yet at the same time he cannot compromise God s truth. NO PASTORATE IS WORTH SACRIFICING GOD S TRUTH. Conclusion Every under-shepherd must give an account of himself to the chief shepherd. A successful ministry is not based on physical results. Jeremiah was successful although hated and rejected
by all. He preached the word of the Lord and God vindicated his every action. A successful minister is not rated by whether or not he pastors a church, nor how large of a church or how many churches he pastors, nor even how many were saved under his preaching but whether or not he was obedient and faithful to his Lord which called him. A successful minister can lay his head on his pillow at night and sleep in peace knowing he has done all, his Lord has commanded him. Q: What is a successful Ministry? A: One that is obedient to the responsibilities given by God and centered around God s will and leadership.