Week Five - The Office of the Pastor

Biblical Qualifications of a Pastor

Above reproach (Blameless) Husband of one wife Self-Controlled (Vigilant) Sober Proper and Appropirate (Of Good behavior) Given to hospitality (philoxenon: to make a stranger a brother) Able to teach Not a drunkard (Not given to wine) Not a bully (no striker) Not a lover of money Gentle and Kind (Patient) Not argumentative or quarrelsome (Not a brawler) Not covetous Rules his house well Children in submission with reverence A mature Christian (Not a novice: literally not a new convert) neophyte: a person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief. Good testimony, even amongst unbelievers

90% of qualifications deal with a man’s character.

Pastor, Elder and Bishop are all three titles which describe the same office.

Many of us only apply the title of “pastor” to those in full-time vocational ministry. But in the Bible, the terms elder (presbuteros), pastor (poimen), and bishop (episkopos) are used interchangeably to refer to the same person or group of people.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,Acts 20:17-18

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;1 Peter 5:1-2

The Roles of the Pastor

Pastors are responsible for setting a godly example of love for Jesus and strict adherence to the Word. (Elder)

Elder: men of experience and maturity;

Being an elder is less about age and more about competence.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.1 Timothy 4:12

Some mainline denominational churches break this into teaching elders and ruling elders.

Pastors are responsible for providing leadership, supervision and oversight for the church. (Overseer/Bishop)

Overseer (Bishop): supervision, oversight, leadership

Pastors are responsible for shepherding, give guidance, protect and provide spiritual nourishment for the church. (Pastor)

Pastor: shepherding, guidance, protection, nourishment

Pastors are the undershepherds under Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

Pastors are charged with feeding God’s flock.

Pastors are more than just preachers.

All preachers are not pastors, but all pastors must be preachers.

We learn Bible doctrine through preaching, discipleship and singing the Word.

Pastors are charged with leading God’s flock.

Pastors lead by example of godly character.

Pastors lead by example of service.

“You don’t have to be a super leader to equip the church effectively. All of us have different God-given gifts and talents. Some men are endowed with great natural ability, while others have more meager skills. But all of us can make disciples. All of us can pass on the faith. The Bible doesn’t require you to be a visionary, apostolic, entrepreneurial genius. It does require you to be a faithful, obedient Christian who takes the Great Commission seriously and gives yourself wholeheartedly to it. The fruit of that in your life should be a heritage of disciples who are walking with Jesus and leading others because of your influence and investment.”

Pastors are charged with protecting God’s flock.

Pastors protect from false doctrine and false teachers.

Pastors protect the spirit of unity.

Pastors protect against sin in the church.

When an unhealthy church grows, we simply multiply the issues in a larger, more unhealthy body.

Pastors are charged with caring for God’s flock.

Pastors labor in prayer, encouragement and care.

Pastors lead the way in making disciples.

Pastors are accountable to God for the stewardship and leadership of the church.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.Hebrews 13:17

I will stand before God for this church and I take that seriously.

Godly, spiritual pastoral leadership is about serving, not being served.

Those who are in the ministry for personal gain are hirelings and not shepherds.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.John 10:9-14

The office of the pastor is a position worthy of respect and honor.

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.1 Timothy 5:17-18

Honor does not mean a culture of idolization or celebrity status.

Honor is a recognition of and appreciation for God-given authority in your life.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.1 Thessalonians 5:12-13