A PASTOR’S AWSOME RESPONSIBILITY
By W. G. Guy
Many who are in the position of pastor of a church congregation fail to recognize the awesome responsibility that they have before God and Jesus Christ. They are accountable to Him whether they realize it or not. What are they accountable for; the very lives of those to whom they function as shepherds.
The term pastor comes from the Greek word poiman which means shepherd. The task of a shepherd is to tend to the care, the well-being, and the needs of a flock of sheep for whom he is responsible for. Note that the sheep do not belong to the pastor, they belong to the LORD. The pastor is the one charged with tending to them for the LORD. Thus it is a great responsibility that is placed on him. Unfortunately, too many pastors do not regard this task with the great care and responsibility that this task is.
1 Peter 5:1-4 – 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; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
In this passage there are issues that are important to address. First the term elders refers to those in leadership responsibility as ministers of the LORD to His people. Second is the responsibility to nurture or feed the flock to bring them to maturity. Third is to recognize that the flock is not his but the LORD’S. Fourth is that the pastor/shepherd is not in that leadership position for his own benefit or honor. He is to function as God’s servant to the people for their advancement in the knowledge of the kingdom of God and the enhancement of their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus gave Himself as an example of kingdom leadership responsibility; as pastors or shepherds are not supposed to be lord’s over God’s flock, but as His servants to them.
Matthew 20:25-28 – But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The purpose of those whom the LORD called to be His ministers/servants is to bring the believers to full maturity; which is Christ fully formed in them.
Ephesians 4:11-15 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
The apostle Paul warned us that there are those in the ministry that are in it for their own benefit and what they can gain.
Acts 20:28-29 – take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Many pastors are not heeding the God’s call and performing their task as the LORD wants for various reasons. Many are distracted by events in society, politics, or worldly affairs: some are simply wrongly motivated. Consider what Jesus had the apostle John write to the angel/messenger, which refers to the ministers (pastors/elders) of the seven churches in the book of Revelation chapters 2 and 3. He identified what was lacking in their churches, as well as what was lacking in their ministry to the people.
I won’t go into what was lacking in each assembly, but what the solution to the problem was that needed to be addressed. Those in leadership positions who are ministering to God’s flock need to be able to hear what the Spirit is saying, and to obey Him as He knows exactly what the people need. Too many of them are feeding off of things that are in the world and not of the kingdom of God and His Word. That is why the sheep are not maturing and are being overcome by the things of this world and the weakness of the flesh.
Here is what the Lord had to say to each of the pastors of these seven churches:
Ephesus – Revelation 2:7 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Smyrna – Revelation 2:11 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Pergamos – Revelation 2:17 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Thyatira – Revelation 2:29 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Sardis – Revelation 3:6 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Philadelphia – Revelation 2:13 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Laodicea – Revelation 3:22 – He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Notice that the leadership of each church was told the listen to the Holy Spirit as to what to do, how to lead his congregation, and what was needed. It is obvious today that few in church leadership are hearing what the Spirit is saying. In fact, far too many pastors even deny the working power of the Holy Spirit, (as in Acts 1:8). Thus, without the power and the leading of the Spirit it is no wonder that the church is in the condition that it is today and fails to have a positive effect in their communities.
Pastors fail to realize how much they are to care for those in their charge. They are responsible to properly nourish and nurture the flock. This not only includes the feeding with the knowledge of the Word of God, but also how to equip the people to minister to others, as well as hearing the Spirit for themselves. This primarily comes from educating the people on the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, building them up in their faith, and living in obedience to the Word of God, having victory over sin and the works of the devil. It even includes their physical health: that’s right – it includes ministry and prayers for healing.
James 5:14-15 – Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Read Ezekiel chapter 34 to see what God had to say about the leadership and shepherds of Israel. They were living off of the sheep; benefiting themselves at the expense of the people and neglecting their needs. This identifies what is happening in many churches today.
The leadership of a church has an impact on the people: as goes the leadership, so goes the people. The people will reflect their leadership: that is how important the type of leadership is, and how awesome is the responsibility of a pastor. Pastors need to take their position very seriously because God does!
Is your pastor fulfilling his awesome responsibility? Does your pastor hear what the Spirit is saying? Are you being nurtured in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord? If not you need to speak with your pastor, and pray for him, or seek out another church whose pastor is a true shepherd caring for his flock.
For more information on this topic read my book THE OTHER CHURCH which can be ordered at https://www.wgguybibleteacher.com/
