Baptist Distinctive's (4)

I have comprised a job description for pastors based on perceived and real expectations from some conversations that I have had with pastors and laypeople:

He must be well-educated, but not too intellectual.

He must be younger than 35.

He must have twenty years pastoral experience.

He must be able to relate to the youth but spend most of his time with the senior citizens.

He must be a sharp dresser, but not too flashy.

He must drive a new car to maintain the church's image, but not so new as to appear materialistic.

His wife should be pretty, but not so much that people notice her.

His wife should be a homemaker so she can devote most of her time to the church.

His wife should maintain an impeccably clean and well-decorated home, but it should not be too extravagant.

His sermons should be long enough to provide "meat" for the mature Christians, but not so long that church doesn't end at noon.

He should insist on upbeat music that attracts the younger generation, but refuse to compromise with that "contemporary" noise out there!

He should set an example and spend adequate time with his family, but be at the church at least four days a week, not counting Sunday and Wednesday evenings.

He should stay at church board meetings as late as necessary, get up before dawn to "be with God," and get plenty of sleep. We want a healthy pastor!

He should have great leadership and administrative abilities, but he should keep his nose out of church business dealings.

He should do a lot of hospital visiting, get out into the community, visit in homes, and run errands, but should be in the office at all times so people can reach him when they need him.

He should be well-balanced, and not work more than 50 hours per week. Twenty of these hours should be for visiting, 20 for studying, 20 for meetings, and 20 for administration.

It is preferable that he have experience in at least three pastorates.

He should spend at least ten years in each pastorate (Remember he should be under 35)

Transition to concept of pastors...

PASTOR

Jeremiah 17:15–16

Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now. As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.

Ephesians 4:11–12

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:

ELDER

1 Timothy 5:17–19

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

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.

Titus 1:5

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

James 5:14

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:

BISHOP

The ending of 2 Tim. in the KJV:

The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.

Titus 1:6–9

If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Philippians 1:1–2

Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

OVERSEER

Acts 20:28

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.

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PROPOSITION:

Every believer needs to know at least six aspects of each of the Biblical offices of pastor and deacon.

1. CONSIDER THE OFFICE OF PASTOR.

1Tim.3:1-7

Nelson's Bible Dictionary:

PASTOR - the feeder, protector, and guide, or shepherd, of a flock of God's people in New Testament times.

In speaking of spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul wrote that Christ

"gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers" (Eph. 4:11).

The term "pastor" by this time in church history had not yet become an official title.

The term “pastor” implied the nourishing of and caring for God's people.

The Greek word translated "pastors" in Ephesians 4:11 is used elsewhere in the New Testament

of sheepherders, literally or symbolically (Matt. 25:32);

of Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10);

and of "shepherds," or leaders, of the church (Eph. 4:11).

ELDER - a term used throughout the Bible but designating different ideas at various times in biblical history. The word may refer to age, experience, and authority, as well as specific leadership roles...

.. A governing structure similar to the ruling elders among the Jews was followed in the early church.

The title "elder" was continued, but the significance of the office changed.

Thus the term elder is used in the New Testament to refer to the Jewish elders of the synagogue, to the members of the Sanhedrin, and to certain persons who held office in the church.

It also implied seniority by reason of age (1 Tim. 5:2; 1 Pet. 5:5).

The presence of elders in the church in the New Testament indicates that this office was taken over from the synagogue.

Elders were associated with James in Jerusalem in the local church's government (Acts 11:30; 21:18) and, with the apostles, in the decisions of the early church councils (Acts 15).

Elders were also appointed in the churches established during Paul's first missionary journey (Acts 14:23).

Paul addressed the elders at Ephesus (Acts 20:17-35).

Elders played an important role in church life through their ministry to the sick (James 5:14, 15).

They were apparently the teachers also in a local congregation.

Additional duties consisted of explaining the Scriptures and teaching doctrine (1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Pet. 5:5).

BISHOP - an overseer, elder, or pastor charged with the responsibility of spiritual leadership in a local church in New Testament times.

Before the church was founded, the Greek word for bishop was used in a general sense to refer to local gods as those who watched over people of Countries.

The word was later applied to men, including those who held positions as magistrates or other government offices.

And eventually the term was extended to refer to officials in religious communities with various functions.

A. Note the Role of a Pastor.

1. He is to "feed” the flock (the church). Acts 20:17,28

Acts 20:17

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Acts 20:28

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.

2. He is to Protect the Flock

3. He is to Lead the Flock

B. Note the Reputation of a Pastor

1. Blameless (Vs. 2). blameless (beyond reproach)

2. Husband of one wife

3. Well balanced

vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality

4. Restrained in All things

Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous

5. Leads well

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

6. Experienced in the Faith

Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil

7. Respected by the community

Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil

C. Note the Requirements of a Pastor.

1. He must be called (Vs. 1).

2. He must be able to teach (Vs. 2).

3. He must be gifted for the ministry (Eph. 4).

4. He must be committed to prayer and the scriptures (Acts 6:4

Acts 6:4

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

D. Note the Responsibilities of a Pastor.

Under Christ he is to lead the Local Church.

He is to pray, prepare, and preach.

He is to counsel his flock.

He is to mentor other elders.

He is to teach God's word.

He must discern and articulate God's vision for the church.

E. Note the Response to the Pastor.

1. The Church is to Properly Provide for the "vocational" Pastor

1 Timothy 5:17–18

2. The Church is not to Accept Accusations about the Pastor as truth.

1 Timothy 5:19

Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

3. The Church is to seek the prayers of the pastor

James 5:14

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:

4. The Church is to Follow the Pastor's leadership

Hebrews 13:7

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Hebrews 13:17

II. CONSIDER THE OFFICE OF DEACON.

DEACON - a servant or minister; an ordained lay officer in many Christian churches.

The general concept of deacon as a servant of the church is well established in both the Bible and church history...

The term "deacon" occurs in only two passages in the KJV (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8-13).

But the Greek word from which it is taken is found 30 times.

In most cases it is translated as "servant" rather than "deacon."

In the Greek world, it was used to describe the work of a servant a person who waited on tables or ministered as a religious official.

When the office of deacon was established in the New Testament church, it may have paralleled the function of the Jewish synagogue assistant an official who took care of the administrative needs of the assembly.

The origin of the office of deacon is usually related to the events described in Acts 6

Acts 6:1–7

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

1Tim. 3:8-13

A. Note the Role of a Deacon

Acts 6:1–3 KJV 1900

He is a Servant

B. Note the Reputation and Requirements of a Deacon

1 Timothy 3:8–13 KJV 1900

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

He is to be Honorable

(grave, doubletounged, not given to much wine, not greedy, pure conscience)

He is Reliable

(proved, blameless)

He is Reasonable

(well purchase, great blodness)

C. Note the Responsibilities of a Deacon

Acts 6:1-7

In a nutshell, the deacons are to assist the pastors and elders in "the work of the ministry.

Deacons are not decision makers," and thus there is no "boards of deacons," but rather a "fellowship" of deacons.

The word "deacon" means "servant." They have an invaluable role in the Local Church.

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