Sermon Tone Analysis

Who does God task with leading His church?

Pastor

What is the Pastor’s church role?

The pastor’s church job description is?

For many within the church, the answer will vary greatly.

They lead worship service.

They offer an invitation.

They shake peoples hand after service.

They visit the sick and shut-ins.

They are charismatic entertainers.

(Easily can hold audiences attention)

They lecture.

They are theologians.

They are caretakers.

(custodian, carpenter, electrician, plumber, grounds keeper, etc......)

In many churches today, an impression has been made (either by the pastor or by the congregation) that the pastor is to do everything that no one else wants to do.

What is the Pastor’s biblical role?

Acts 20:28 (ESV)

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Titus 1:5 (ESV)

5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

Titus 1:7 (ESV)

7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach.

He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,

1 Peter 5:1–2 (ESV)

1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

The pastor’s biblical job description is?

The short description of a pastor’s job is that he is to equip you to do your job.

(pg.

126)

Notice this, only ONE of the gifts within the church is pastor.

He does not, he will not, and he never WILL possess the ability to do everyone else’s job and continue to do his job well.

I would add, that any pastor that thinks they can effectively do it all needs to be reminded on this.

However, this is the mindset we see in many churches today.

Have a problem?

Something been bothering you?

Have a disagreement you can’t settle on your own?

Sanctuary too hot?

Sanctuary too cold?

See the need for a teacher or new ministry?

Need more toilet paper?

Who do they go to first?

The PASTOR.

Folks, let me give you a piece of humble advice, and I by no means mean this to be degrading or derogatory… but, If there is something that needs to be done in the church go to a mirror first and ask the person staring back at you what they have done to be a part of the SOLUTION first!

Acts 6:1–4 (ESV)

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists (Greek / non-Jew) arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.

3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

According to scripture, who should be caring for the day to day needs within the congregation of the church?

You see, it takes us ALL working together so that the ministry of Christ is complete.

Each part of the body has work to do.

When we come to our weekly church gatherings, then it SHOULD be a time of job training.

Pastor’s Job + Members Job = Jesus’ Discipleship Program

This is not a program that can be purchased from a Christian bookstore, a boxed package with a teacher’s manual, student’s guide, and posters for the Sunday school classroom wall.

It is a part of our job description, as Christians and church members.

Equipping by Teaching

What should the focus of a pastor’s studies and teaching?

The pastor’s equipping of the saints should be the center of his studies and teaching.

1 Timothy 4:16

That means they must be able to read, interpret, and exposit God’s Word in a way that we understand and grow in our knowledge.

Notice a pastor is not a professor, we do not just stand and profess our knowledge, but we teach about God in a way that should show others that their life depends on their decision to follow Christ!

It doesn’t matter what a pastor’s personal opinion about the condition of the world, what their wardrobe selection is, what cool hair cut they have, how long a beard they grow … their MAIN FOCUS should be explaining Gods Word so that lives can be changed and souls SAVED by accepting Christ as their personal Savior.

Too often, we think the pastor should entertain us, tickle our ears with funny sayings or his sense of humor, make us feel good when we leave - and while all of that is good, he has failed if he has not taken you to the foot of the cross.

Equipping by Setting an Example

Not only should the pastor teach, but they should set an example for their congregation.

Paul says to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 4:16-17

Now, here comes the fun part…

Where (book, chapter, and verse) that outlines the job description of a pastor?

The bible speaks more of a pastor’s CHARACTER that to their job specifically.

Above reproach

husband of one wife

sober-minded

self-controlled

respectable

hospitable

able to teach

not a drunkard

gentle, not quick tempered

not quarrelsome

not a lover of money (greedy)

manager of his own household

keeps children submissive

mature convert

thought well of by outsiders

not arrogant

upright

holy

disciplined

hospitable

hold firm to the Word

giving instruction in sound doctrine

rebuking those who contradicts sound doctrine

Pastors are not a separate “class” of Christian, there’s nothing better about my salvation, my spirituality, or my service to God, I’m still a sinner saved by grace; we just have been called to do different jobs in the church.

Pastors are called to help bring others up and into maturity, in the same way a parent would help raise a child, show them how to do, and then get out of the way and let them do it.

Advantages of a Plurality

Churches may benefit by having more than one pastor.

In many churches today, deacons have taken on more of the role of administrators of the church or in some instances the role of elder.

But, they are called to a job of service, is this a part of their biblical job description?

But the thought of having more than one pastor, in certain circumstances, can improve the shepherding of the body through the week.