The Crucial Role of Pastors in the Church
As the church emerges from the challenges of COVID-19, it’s essential to revisit the fundamental question: what is a pastor’s job? The answer lies in Ephesians 4:11-16, where the apostle Paul explains that Jesus has given gifts to his church, including pastors, to equip the saints for the work of ministry.
Equipping the Saints
A pastor’s primary role is to teach and train members to do their job as priest-kings, watching over the gospel and extending its dominion throughout the earth. This involves equipping them to minister to one another, building up the body of Christ in love. As Paul says, “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).
The Weekly Church Gathering
The weekly church gathering is a time of job training, where pastors equip members to know the gospel, live by the gospel, protect the church’s gospel witness, and extend the gospel’s reach into one another’s lives and among outsiders. It’s an essential fellowship of God’s people furthering God’s mission.
Elders’ Job + Members’ Job = Jesus’s Discipleship Program
When you combine the pastor’s job with the members’ job, you get Jesus’s discipleship program. This program is not a boxed package or a teacher’s manual but a living, breathing process of equipping and training. A pastor’s ministry centers on teaching and their life, as seen in Paul’s instruction to Timothy: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Teaching and Life
One of the main things that sets elders apart from members is their ability to teach. This doesn’t mean they must be charismatic preachers, but rather that they can provide biblical answers and guidance. They must also set an example for the flock in their lives, as Peter teaches: “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you… being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:1-3).
Character and Maturity
Interestingly, the Bible emphasizes an elder’s character more than their extraordinary abilities. An elder should be someone whose life is exemplary and can be imitated by others. They don’t constitute a separate class of Christians but are rather mature believers who have been set apart to lead and teach.
Members’ Role
So, what is our job as members in relation to our elders? The author of Hebrews instructs us to “remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). We are to learn from our elders, imitate their example, and grow in maturity.
In conclusion, the role of pastors in the church is crucial. They are called to equip the saints, teach and train members, and set an example for the flock. As members, we are to learn from them, imitate their example, and grow in maturity. May we rediscover the importance of the church and the role of pastors in our lives.
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