A few months back (due to my sporadic writing schedule), I asked this question:<\/p>
What do you think are the main responsibilities of local church pastors?<\/strong><\/em><\/p> I said that this summer I would post my biblical theology of the pastoral ministry. Here we go.<\/p> I\u2019m going to release this in three posts related to Biblical pastoring: A unique role; Biblical definitions<\/a>; and The pastoral team<\/a>. Due to the detailed nature of the pastoral role, this first section is a little longer than the others.<\/p> The noun \u201cpastor\u201d is found in only one place in the entire New Testament, so that seems like a good place to start.<\/p> It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors<\/strong> and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God\u2013 a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ\u2019s full stature. So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes. But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. From him the whole body grows, fitted and held together through every supporting ligament. As each one does its part, the body grows in love.<\/em> Ephesians 4:11-16[1]<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote> This passage provides three essential components of the biblical pastorate. First, Christ gave the Church a special present of gifted men to lead her<\/span>. Paul is clear in 1 Corinthians 12 that spiritual gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the whole Church.<\/p> To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. \u2026 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.<\/em> 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11<\/p><\/blockquote> However, in the listing of gifts, there is a clear distinction between people-gifts and task-gifts. In verse 28, Paul wrote that \u201cGod has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then <\/em>[the other gifts].\u201d<\/em> An apostle is far different than a gift of apostleship, a prophet different than prophecy, and a teacher different than a teaching gift. In order to fulfill her purpose in the world, the Church needed more than to have gifts given to people; she needed to be gifted with special men \u2013 apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers.<\/p> This is not to say that these men are more important than everyone else or that congregants are unnecessary. \u201cThe eye cannot say to the hand, \u2018I do not need you,\u2019 nor in turn can the head say to the foot, \u2018I do not need you.\u2019\u201d<\/em> (1 Corinthians 12:21) On the contrary; if not for the other members of the Church, these men would not be able to fulfill their calling either. We all need each other. The question is, what are these men to do?<\/strong><\/p> The second component of a biblical pastorate answers that question. Christ gave these men the task of making the Church effective<\/span>. An effective Church requires effective people.<\/p> It was he who gave\u2026pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ\u2026<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote> The main job of church leaders is to \u201cequip the saints\u201d to do ministry. To equip means \u201cto make someone completely adequate or sufficient for something.\u201d[2]<\/a> What is that ministry that the saints are to do? \u201cBuild up the body of Christ.\u201d<\/em> There are two obvious points we should note here:<\/p> So, how do pastors train? What tools do they need for this all-important work? Assuming the pastors themselves meet the character standards given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, their toolbox is actually very light. There is apparently just one piece of equipment necessary for them to learn and use.<\/p> Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.<\/em> 2 Timothy 3:16-17<\/p><\/blockquote> The pastor who is skilled in the Scriptures has at his disposal everything necessary to make sure that God\u2019s people are \u201ccapable and equipped for every good work.\u201d The word translated \u201cequipped\u201d here is very close to the word in Ephesians 4:11. In order to \u201cequip the saints for the work of ministry,\u201d pastors are required to know and use the Scriptures skillfully.<\/p> And that leads us to the third essential component of the pastorate: Pastors equip the saints by teaching them the Scriptures<\/span>. That teaching is the primary task of the pastors is revealed in Ephesians 4:11-16 in three significant ways:<\/p> We might better translate the Greek phrase rendered \u201cpastors and teachers\u201d as \u201cpastor-teachers.\u201d The Greek construction suggests that one kind rather than two kinds of people is in view. The Greek article translated \u201cthe\u201d occurs only before \u201cpastor.\u201d Moreover the Greek conjunction translated \u201cand\u201d between \u201cpastors\u201d and \u201cteachers\u201d is different from the one used elsewhere in the verse (kai<\/em> rather than de<\/em>).[4]<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote> In summary, the main role of the pastorate is to teach the saints the Scriptures so that God\u2019s people will be able and effective in fulfilling their main ministry, growing and maturing the whole Church.<\/strong><\/em>[5]<\/a><\/p> <\/a>[1]Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible\u00ae Copyright \u00a9 2005 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Pastor\u2019s Unique Role<\/h3>
\n