Rev. Aaron Long: Faith and Fellowship
New Christian: What About Pastors?
What about pastors? Every church has them, and the Bible commands that the church should have them. But what do they do? What does the Bible say about a pastor's duties?
The primary duties of the Christian pastor revolve around the spiritual leadership of the church: preaching the truth of Scripture, applying it to daily life for the members, leading worship, and protecting the congregation.
The Calling and Training of a Pastor
The pastor is called of God. No matter their ordaining body, the pastor must first receive a call from the Lord before starting down the path to ministry.
After this, the future pastor can't simply start or lead a church. They must first be trained, whether through a school or an apprenticeship. That training includes:
Biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew), to read the Bible in its original languages
Systematic theology
Church history
Pastoral theology
Biblical theology
Liturgics
These give them the skills needed to properly serve a church. Finally, they must be examined by a board of a denomination or local church and then be ordained. Only then can they serve the church.
The Four Primary Duties of an Active Pastor
Preach and Teach the Word of God. A pastor's first responsibility is to clearly explain the Bible and teach sound doctrine so the church can grow in faith. (2 Timothy 4:2)
Shepherd and Care for the Flock. Pastors act as spiritual shepherds, lovingly guiding, counseling, visiting, and caring for the personal and spiritual needs of the church community. (1 Peter 5:2)
Protect the Church from False Teaching. A pastor must guard the congregation against spiritual deception, false doctrines, and influences that lead people away from biblical truth. (Titus 1:9)
Pray for the Congregation. Pastors are called to continually intercede for their people, praying for their spiritual growth, physical healing, and endurance. (Acts 6:4)
Honoring Your Pastor
The pastor is to be given honor in his congregation and respected for his office. He is held to a higher standard than most members of the congregation, because the pastor represents Christ to his people.
Pray for your pastor, love your pastor, and hold your pastor up. He has a hard job.
