Church Leadership

Church leaders are likened to shepherds, on account of their pastoral responsibilities and tasks.

Appointment of shepherd

Eph 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

See also Mk 3:14; Ac 14:23; 1 Co. 12:28

Shepherd responsibilities

Feeding the flock Mk 6:34

Caring for the flock Mt 25:36

Protecting, from false teachers Mt. 7:15

Leading, not exploiting 1 Pe 5:2-3

Being accountable Heb 13:17

Their qualifications 1Ti 3:1-7 See also Tit 1:7

(8492 watchfulness, of leaders)

watchfulness, of leaders: Leaders must be alert to the needs of those they serve and also to the dangers that surround believers in the world. The OT teaching on watchmen provides an indication of the importance of watchfulness and the responsibility of those called to be watchful.Leaders are required to be watchful Eze 3:17

See also Eze 33:7-9; Jn 21:16

They are accountable to God Eze 3:18 See also Mk 13:34-35; Heb 13:17

They must warn against false teachers Ac 20:31

Elders are called overseers in Acts 20:28; 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:7; 1Pe 5:2. See also Jn 10:1-3; Ac 20:29; 2Ti 4:2-5; Tit 1:9-11

Examples of leaders’ warnings to churches 1Co 4:14 See also Ro 16:17; Gal 5:21; 1Th 4:1; Tit 3:10; Rev 22:18

Leaders’ watchfulness in prayer Isa 62:6-7 See also 1Sa 12:23; Ro 1:9-10; Eph 1:16; Php 1:4; 2Th 1:11 Leaders need to watch over their own lives Ac 20:28 See also Mk 14:29-30; 1Ti 3:2-7; 4:15-16; Tit 1:6-8; Jas 3:1; 3Jn 9-10

Watchmen sometimes fail to be watchful I sa 56:9-12; Eze 34:1-10; Zec 10:2-3.

7760 preachers, responsibilities of

Those entrusted with the responsibility of preaching are to discharge it faithfully, boldly and persistently in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Christian community should honour faithful preachers and challenge those who fail to honour their responsibility.The responsibilities of preachers. They must be diligent in their preaching 2Ti 2:15 See also 1Ti 4:13-16; 2Ti 4:1-5 They must be faithful in their preaching Ac 20:20 See also Jer 26:1-2; 42:4; Ac 20:25-27 They must be persistent in their preaching 2Ti 4:1-5 See also Ac 18:4-6; 20:31; 1Th 2:1-2 They must be bold in their preaching Ac 28:31 See also Jer 26:7-15; Am 7:10-17; Ac 4:18-20; 5:27-29; 14:1-3 They must be encouraging in their preaching Ac 14:21-22 See also Ac 15:32; 1Co 14:3-5; 1Th 2:11-12; 2Ti 4:2 They must be filled with the Holy Spirit Ac 1:8; 1Co 2:4 See also Ac 4:31-33; 1Th 1:5; 1Pe 1:12 They must be compassionate in their preaching Mk 6:34 See also Mt 9:35-38 The responsibilities of the church towards preachers Faithful preachers should be honoured 1Ti 5:17 See also Mt 13:53-57 pp Mk 6:2-4; Lk 10:3-8; Heb 13:7 Unfaithful preachers are to be exposed and will be judged Gal 1:6-9 See also Jer 14:14-16; Eze 13:1-23; 1Ti 1:3-4; 4:1-7; Tit 1:10-11; 2Pe 2:1-3; Rev 2:14-16,20-23