“What’s A Pastor To Do?”

 Source: http://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/whats-a-pastor-to-do/#comment-129

What’s a Pastor to do? Have you ever wondered what your Pastor does? My wife’s grandfather used to say, “They play golf most of the week and get up and talk on Sunday for about 20 minutes.” Recently I was asked if the denomination supplies outlines and sermons for us to preach. I said, “Some churches may do that but we don’t.” Today larger churches may have multiple services each week but the messages may all be the same even though the style of music in each service may be different. We have four services each week but each message is different.

  Biblical Qualifications. Not everyone is qualified to serve as a bishop (overseer) of a local church. Three terms are used when referring to the same individual. “Pastor-teacher” relates to the spiritual gift that God has given to some men at the moment of salvation (Ephesians 4:11). “Elder” refers to his relative degree of spiritual maturity (1 Timothy 3:6; 5:1). “Bishop” (overseer) is associated with the role he has over a local church. Rather than being appointed by a hierarchy outside the church, each of our churches selects its own pastors (overseers).

  Biblical Responsibilities. Both the Apostles Peter and Paul provide us with information concerning the responsibilities of the Pastor-teacher, Bishop, Elder. Peter’s instructions can be found in 1 Peter 5:1-5. Paul, while imprisoned and facing imminent death, reminded Timothy of his duties as the pastor (overseer) of the church in Ephesus. He told him to –

  Be Aware. Even though other people may be unaware of what we do, God is watching and listening to everything we do and say (2 Timothy 4:1). He even knows all about our motives (Revelation 3:8; 1 Corinthians 4:5). If our works measure up to God’s standards, we will be rewarded. Otherwise our works will be burned up (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Our ultimate accountability is to the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:4).

  Be Faithful. “…it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Those who dispense God’s truth to others must have full confidence in God’s ability to keep His promises to His children (Ephesians 3:20). Some of them are conditional and others are unconditional. There are promises in the Bible that Christians can’t claim. They were addressed to the Jews alone. Don’t be deceived by those who teach the diabolical heresy called “Replacement Theology.” Many churches are embracing this error. Do you know if your Pastor believes in it or not? Ask him. It is very anti-Semitic and it is going to lead to another greater Holocaust in the future (Zechariah 12, 14; Revelation 16:13-16).

  Be Authoritative. “Preach the Word [of God with authority]” (2 Timothy 4:2). We don’t need to apologize for it. “God said it. We believe it. That settles it.” All 66 books of the Bible are God breathed and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Its purpose is to make the [men and women] of God complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). Are the sermons you hear about pop psychology, self love, ego-boosters, and man made religions?

  Be Distinctive. Know the differences between the Old and New Testaments, between the Mosaic Law (Exodus 19:9-Matthew 12:50), Grace teachings for Christians (John 13-Revelation 4), and Kingdom rules for the people who will live during the millennial reign of Christ on earth (Matthew 5-7; Revelation 20:1-7). Those teachers who don’t rightly divide the Word of truth will cause people to be confused and frustrated. They like to allegorize the Bible.

  Be Ready. “But [set aside] the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). As the need arises, the Pastor-teacher also needs to convince, rebuke, and exhort others with all long suffering and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2; 3:16). In the last days many churches will be filled with “professing Christians” who aren’t really saved, and with “carnal Christians” who are saved but who don’t act like Christians (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). These people won’t endure or put up with sound doctrine but will follow “false teachers” who tickle their ears and tell them what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3, 4; Isaiah 30:10).

  Be Watchful. Savage wolves, masquerading either as sheep or as angels of light, have been causing havoc in churches since its inception (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28-31; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). The Apostle Paul wasn’t afraid to identify them to Christians.

  Being a faithful Pastor-teacher (bishop) has many responsibilities. There are joys and sorrows associated with the work. If you are a true Christian and have a Pastor who believes in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible, that Jesus Christ is God manifested in human flesh, and is the virgin born son of Mary, who lived a sinless life, and who died for our sins and rose again bodily from the grave, that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and who is teaching you to live according to “Grace teachings,” then pray for/and encourage him in the work he is doing. If not, God wants you to look for a different Pastor and church (2 Corinthians 6:14; Revelation 18:4).

  Help? If you need additional help or have questions, contact us at 805-238-3549 or visit our web site at www.kelseypeach.com. We try to post new web logs (blogs) each week for the salvation of the lost and the edification of believers.