The Role of a Pastor
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1 Peter 5:1–4, “1 I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, 4you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (CSB)
1 Timothy 5:17–25, “17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, The worker is worthy of his wages. 19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. 20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid. 21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. 22 Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later. 25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.” (CSB)
1 Timothy 3:1–7, “1 This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” 2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.” (CSB)
Titus 1:5–9, “5 The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town. 6 An elder must be blameless: the husband of one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless: not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.” (CSB)
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/what-is-a-church-members-responsibility-to-their-pastor/
What Is a Church Member’s Responsibility to the Pastor?
What Is a Church Member’s Responsibility to the Pastor?
ERIK RAYMOND | FEBRUARY 9, 2017
What is a church member’s responsibility toward his or her pastor(s)? This is a question that does not come up as often as perhaps it should. Our spiritual ancestors thought, spoke, and wrote a lot about these things. One such pastor was Samuel Jones, pastor of Lower Dublin Baptist Church (PA), from 1763-1814. In part of his treatise on the church he provides 15 responsibilities of a member to the pastor. For those attempting to carefully think through congregational life, this list provides a helpful framework for further study and consideration.
I especially appreciated the sense of fellowship and bearing of burdens together within the congregation. There is a solidarity in support among the church that is expressed in terms of prayer, suffering, honor, love, and finances.
The members of churches owe all their duties in a way of obedience to the will of God revealed in his word.
These are to be performed in love to our Lord Jesus Christ, John xiv. 15. who is the great prophet, priest, and king of his church, unto whom all power in heaven and earth is given, Matt. xxviii. 18. our law-giver, Is. xxxiii. 22. the head of his church, Eph. i. 22. and who is to be honoured, John v. 23. and obeyed in all things as God, over all, blessed for ever, Rom. ix. 5.
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.
18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
22 For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King. He will save us.
22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church,
23 so that all people may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
5 The ancestors are theirs, and from them, by physical descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, praised forever. Amen.
All church members, therefore, are under the strictest obligations to do and observe whatsoever Christ has enjoined on them, in particular the duties they owe to their ministers.
They ought to pray for them, that God would assist them in and bless their labours, Eph. vi. 19. Col. iv. 3. I Thes. v. 25. 2 Thes. iii. 1. Heb. xiii. 18. and that he would support them under all their trials and afflictions, 2 Thes. iii. 2.
19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains,
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us also.
1 In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,
18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.
2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith.
They ought to obey them in the exercise of every part of their official authority, according to the word, Heb. xiii. 17.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
They ought to treat them with respect and esteem, I Tim. v. 17. I Thes. v. 12, 13. Phil. ii. 29. Gal. iv. 15. 3 John 9, 10.
17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
29 Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor,
15 Where, then, is your blessing? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not receive our authority.
10 This is why, if I come, I will remind him of the works he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He not only refuses to welcome fellow believers, but he even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the church.
They ought to stand by them in their trials, afflictions, and sufferings, 2 Tim. i. 15. iv. 16. I Cor. xvi. 10. I Tim. v. 19.
15 You know that all those in the province of Asia have deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
10 If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.
19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
They ought to contribute towards their maintenance, that they may apply themselves to the extensive duties of their office, Acts vi. 2, 4. See Confession of Faith, chap. xvii. ?10.
2 The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables.
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Pastors of churches have a divine right to their support, if the church is able to give it without being oppressed, or so far as they are able, than which nothing is more manifest in the New Testament. “For the workman is worthy of his meat,” Matt. x. 10. Luke x. 7. “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” I Cor. ix. 11. “Do ye not know, that they who minister about holy things, live of the things of the temple? and they who wait at the altar, are partakers with the altar? Even so has the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel,” I Cor. ix. 13, 14. “Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things,” Gal. vi. 6. See I Tim. v. 17, 18.
10 Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.
7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Don’t move from house to house.
11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?
13 Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar?
14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher.
17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, The worker is worthy of his wages.
These passages of holy writ are so unequivocal and express, that no one can evade their force.
Mr. Hooker well observes, that “they, who will not pay their ministers, would not pay any one his due, could they refuse with the same temporal impunity.” Every one knows, that those, who will not do justice, farther than the law compels them, are destitute of an honest principle.
Nothing but ignorance of his duty, or covetousness and want of principle, or both, can induce to neglect or refuse paying; and a covetous brother should be expelled from the church, and kept no company with, I Cor. v. 11.
11 But actually, I wrote you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister and is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person.
When a people neglect their duty in regard to the support of their minister, they are not only wilful neglecters of the divine law, but must otherwise be great losers, both as they forfeit a right to the divine blessing, as also because their minister will be less capable of, and prevented from, serving them to the same advantage, Gal. vi. 6, 7. 2 Cor. ix. 6-8.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher.
7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap,
6 The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.
This support of the minister should not be done in the way of charity, or alms, but as a matter of right; and, if the people are able, it ought to exceed his bare necessity, that he may be able to be exemplary in acts of hospitality, I Tim. iii. 2.
2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
If any church and congregation are not able to give their minister a comfortable support, but are willing to do what they can towards it, it will perhaps be duty, at least very commendable, in the minister, to forego a part of his right, rather than leave them, and apply himself to some business to make up their deficiency, I Cor. ix.12.
12 If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don’t we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right; instead, we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.
Note: this is found in Polity, pp. 148-149
How Should Church Members Relate to Their Pastors?
How Should Church Members Relate to Their Pastors?
JARED C. WILSON | NOVEMBER 12, 2015
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/jared-c-wilson/how-should-church-members-relate-to-their-pastors/
From Jonathan Leeman’s excellent little book, Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus:
Every church member will stand before God’s throne and give an account for how he or she worked to protect the gospel in the lives of his or her fellow members (see Galatians 1). That said, the Holy Spirit has made pastors and elders the overseers of the church (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:2). That means pastors or elders represent the church’s work of oversight in the day-to-day life of the congregation. Submitting to the church often means submitting to them. Broadly speaking, how should members relate to pastors?
28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.
7 As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless: not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not an excessive drinker, not a bully, not greedy for money,
2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly;
1. Members should formally affirm their pastors.
Different traditions disagree on this, but I believe that since Christians are ultimately responsible before God for what they are taught (see Galatians 1), church members are responsible for choosing their leaders. Congregations should let elders lead in this process, but the final affirmations is the church’s. (it may also be the case that the church’s authority to affirm its leaders is an apostolic authority, which it inherits through the apostolic keys. See Acts 14:23; see also the congregation’s role in Acts 1 an Acts 6).
23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
2. Members should honor their pastors.
Our culture’s ability to understand honoring seems to be diminishing continually. But just as the Bible calls children to honor their parents, so Christians should honor their pastors. The Bible even says to give them “double honor” (1 Tim. 5:17). And this includes paying them (1 Tim 5:18).
17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, The worker is worthy of his wages.
3. Members should submit to their pastors.
These two verses in Hebrews need to be incorporated into our understanding of Christian life: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Heb. 13:7). “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” (Heb. 13:17).
7 Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
4. Members should pray for their pastors.
These men are the ones whose lives and teaching help to sustain the church. Will it not benefit us to pray for them?
5. Members should bring charges against disqualified pastors.
Since they are out front, Paul protects leaders by requiring two or three witnesses to level a charge against them (1 Tim. 5: 19). That said, the congregation should not allow an elder who has disqualified himself to continue serving.
19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
6. Members should fire gospel-denying pastors.
When false teachers entered the Galatian church, Paul did not correct the elders. He corrected the church. When pastors begin to deny the gospel or teach other heresies, God calls church members to fire them.
(pp. 104-106)