“WHAT IS A PASTOR TO DO?”  Pt. 6

(The Church – God’s Masterpiece)

by Dennis Rokser

 

 

 

In underscoring the critical role of leadership, popular Christian author Chuck Swindoll writes,

 

When there is a crisis in leadership, there is a crumbling of credibility.  When there is breakdown of personal ethics in the lives of our leaders, there is a breach of public trust.  And when we have been burned by a leader, it’s difficult to warm up to the fiery rhetoric of the next person who steps up on the podium.

 

From the fall of the Roman Empire to the fall of the televangelist’s empire, the thing that makes poor leaders topple is often power that has gone to their heads.  Maybe they thought they were above the law.  Maybe they thought no one would find out.  Maybe they thought a noble end justified any notorious means used to achieve it.  Whatever the case, the wreckage caused by their ungodly leadership is strewn throughout the pages of history. [1]

 

Unfortunately, the church of Jesus Christ has not been exempt from ungodly leadership.  This is why it is imperative that believers in Christ personally accept and apply the biblical blueprint and principles for spiritual leadership in the church.  Thus far we have considered…

 

1.      The NEED for Spiritual Leadership in the Church…

2.      The NAMES of Spiritual Leadership in the Church…

3.      The BIBLICAL QUALIFICATIONS for Spiritual Leadership in the Church… and

4.      The RESPONSIBILITIES of Spiritual Leadership in the Church.

 

In this article I will attempt to further communicate and clarify the scriptural role and responsibilities of those who serve our Lord and His church as an elder.  Thus far, we have observed that to “feed (shepherd) the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2) includes the following:

 

A.    Shepherding God’s flock involves PROVISION… as a pastor is to feed the flock of God the very Word of God.

 

B.    Shepherding God’s flock involves PROTECTION… as a pastor must carefully guard and watch over the flock of God for those dangerous predators that would harm them spiritually.

 

C.  Shepherding God’s flock involves PRAYER… as a pastor needs to engage in a ministry of intercessory prayer for people’s needs.

 

D.  Shepherding God’s flock involves PERSONAL EXAMPLE… as a pastor must personally model the biblical truths he publicly teaches.

 

E.   Shepherding God’s flock involves PASTORAL CARE… as a pastor must be involved in personal contact in addressing people’s needs.

 

F.    Shepherding God’s flock involves PRESIDING… as a pastor must exercise oversight and leadership as it relates to the needs, ministries, and direction of the church.

 

 

ELDER OR CONGREGATIONAL RULE?

 

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 13:7)

 

In this verse Hebrew Christians are being commanded (present, active, imperative) to remember their spiritual leaders and to follow their faith (“whose faith follow”).  This text clearly delineates the two primary responsibilities of elders:

1.      to lead God’s flock —  The phrase “them which have the rule over” (ton hegoumenon) means “to lead; to rule; to guide.”  It was used of a political ruler (Matthew 2:6; Acts 7:10), a chief or leading speaker (Acts 14:12), or of local church leadership (Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24).  It sets forth both the authority to govern and the function of leading.

 

2.      to feed God’s flock — This is highlighted by the phrase “who have spoken unto you the Word of God.”  What greater compliment could a pastor ever receive from a congregation!  This underscores the tremendous priority of the pastor feeding sound doctrine to the congregation.  Fellow-pastors, are you taking this God-given role and responsibility seriously in order to faithfully discharge it?

 

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.  (Hebrews 13:17)

 

The elders’ responsibilities of leading or presiding over the local church is again emphasized by the phrase “them that have the rule over you” (tois hegoumenois).  The New American Standard Bible translates the beginning of this verse, “Obey your leaders, and submit to their authority.”  The elders responsibility to exercise authority within the local church has been delegated by Christ (as Head of the Church) and must be within the parameters and principles of the Scriptures (which are the final authority for all faith and practice).  Robert Gromacki clarifies this pastoral role by writing,

 

Although all believers, as priests, have positional oneness in Christ and equal access into the presence of the Father, there is still a functional order of leadership and authority within the local church.[2]

 

A further encouragement for believers within a congregation to “obey” and “submit” is the knowledge that their spiritual leaders are to care for the spiritual welfare and health of the congregation (“for they watch for your souls”).  Even when problems arise that need to be addressed and sharp correction may be required, the pastoral objective must always be the same:

Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.   (2 Corinthians 13:10)

 

Lest elders begin to abuse or misuse their delegated authority, Hebrews 13:17 reminds them that “they… must give an account” (future, active, participle).  At the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9-10), elders will give a personal account to the Lord Jesus Christ as shepherds of God’s flock (Acts 20:28) and stewards of God’s truth (Titus 1:7).  1 Corinthians 4:2 reminds us, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”  Elders, let us not abuse our spiritual authority for self-serving ends, but instead exercise it for the edification and equipping of the saints within our congregation.

 

Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.  (Hebrews 13:24)

 

For the third time in this chapter, the elders of the church are designated as “them that have the rule over you” (tous hegoumenous).  This is significant, for in many churches today the congregation rules the leaders.  This kind of church polity or government is foreign to the New Testament and God’s design for the leading of His churches.  It is the sheep telling the shepherds what to do.  And though wise leaders will follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit via the Scriptures and prayer, along with listening carefully to the input and feedback of the congregation, ultimately they must make the final decisions as unto the Lord.

 

 

“OVER YOU” WHILE “AMONG YOU”

 

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.  (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)

 

Leon Morris gives us a helpful grammatical clarification when he comments,

 

The Greek construction here has three participles following a single article, which means that it is one group of people who discharge all three functions, and not three different groups.[3]

 

Shepherding God’s flock oftentimes involves exhausting work (“labor”) and is not designed to be an “ivory-tower job” but an “among you” relationship of pastoral care with the congregation.  In similarity and harmony with Hebrews 13:7, the pastor’s primary responsibilities are again underscored:

 

1.      presiding over the congregation — The phrase “are over” (proistamenous) means “to have charge or authority over a group like a presiding official.”  The sphere of the elders’ authority is “in the Lord.”  W.E. Vine’s commentary on this phrase remarks,

 

These words serve as a double purpose, (a) they limit the scope of the authority of the elders to the spiritual concerns of the saints, and show that there was no intention to deny or to limit the authority over Christians of civic or political rulers in the things that lie within their proper spheres.  And, (b) they show that the authority of the elders is not based upon human appointment or election, but upon the relation of all to the Lord.[4]

 

Robert Thomas further explains the use of “proistamenous” by adding,

 

It was the responsibility of these leaders to “stand over” the rest of the assembly in the Lord.  A secondary sense of “care for” (proistēmi) is also involved here and in the other uses of the verb (Rom. 12:8; 1 Tim. 3:4, 5, 12; 5:17) because ruling in a Christian way entails sincere interest in the welfare of those who are ruled (cf. Matt. 20:26-28; 1 Peter 5:2, 3).  Yet the element of “caring for” cannot erode the authority of the office and the need to “respect” the office (Reicke, TDNT, 6:701, 702).[5]

 

Since an elder is to exercise authority in a beneficial manner to the local church, it is only fitting that the qualifications for an overseer include the proving ground of his own family where he must “rule (proistamenon) well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.  For if a man know not how to rule (prostenai) his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God.”

 

The verb form of this Greek word is utilized in 1 Timothy 5:17 which commands,

 

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.  (1 Timothy 5:17)

 

Addressing the elder’s authority and function, Robert Gromacki pens,

 

The elders must “rule well” (kalos prōestōtes).  The verb literally means “to stand before.”  An elder is an administrative officer who stands before the congregation to preside over its activity.  The gift of ruling is an ability endowed by the Holy Spirit for use within the body of Christ (Rom. 12:8).  An elder is “over” (same word) the church “in the Lord” (1 Thess. 5:12).  This is functional, ecclesiastical authority, not a personal supremacy or superiority.[6]

 

 

2.      preaching the Word of God — This responsibility is observed by noting the phrase “admonishing you.”  Like with the terms “labor” and “over you,” the elders’ function is emphasized.  D. Edmond Hiebert writes,

 

“Admonish” (nouthetountas) quite literally means “to put in mind” and usually carries an implication of blame attached, calling attention to faults or defects.  It is the activity of reminding someone of what he has forgotten or is in danger of forgetting.  It may involve a rebuke for wrongdoing as well as a warning to be on guard against wrongdoing.  It directs an appeal to the conscience and will of one being admonished in order to stir him to watchfulness or obedience.[7]

 

A pastor’s admonishment (whether personally or over the pulpit) must be built and based upon scriptural instruction with the goal of correction by means of spiritual understanding and conviction.  I cannot emphasize sufficiently the importance of a pastor preaching and teaching the Word of God as it alone is authoritative and sufficient to bring believers to spiritual maturity and service for Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

 

Mayhue insightfully comments on 1 Thessalonians 5:12 by saying,

 

Interestingly, these three basic functions correspond to the three titles given to the one role of pastoring the flock.  Elder, Overseer, and Pastor are terms used interchangeably in Scripture to describe the various functions carried out by the same person (cf. Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-2).  The pastors were to work diligently among the flock; the overseers were to stand before the flock in the Lord as examples and leaders; and the elders were to admonish the flock wisely from the Word of God.[8]

 

 

“EPISKOPOS” AND ELDER RULE

 

A third Greek word which denotes the authority of an elder is the term “episkopos” which means “overseer.”  An overseer is to exercise oversight in the church because he has a position which is “over you in the Lord.”  With the exception of 1 Peter 2:25, the other four occurrences of “episkopos” in the New Testament refer to local church leaders, never an episcopal hierarchy such as grew up in later years in the “church.”  Its biblical usage is:

 

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  (Acts 20:28, NASB)

 

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.  (Philippians 1:1, NASB)

 

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. 

(1 Timothy 3:2, NASB)

 

For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain.  (Titus 1:7, NASB)

 

 

“POIMAINO” AND PASTORAL AUTHORITY

 

A fourth Greek term employed by the Holy Spirit in the New Testament that embodies the concept of leading the flock as a shepherd is the word “poimaino.”  It occurs eleven times and is translated “feed” seven times and “rule” four times.  What do shepherds do?  They feed and lead the flock.  Commenting on Acts 20:28, where “poimaino” is translated “feed,” John Phillips passionately writes,

 

Paul reminds them, too, that the Holy Spirit had made them overseers.  Elders are not chosen by popular vote.  Only the Holy Spirit can equip a man for that work and endow him with the character, compassion, and the compulsion to undertake its arduous and time-consuming tasks.  A man does not push himself into the position of an elder.  Wealth and social position, business acumen, natural talent, and worldly success do not equip a man for the work of an elder.  Only the Holy Spirit can qualify and call a man to that work.  Nor is it a work that can be lightly assumed, flippantly discharged, and easily dropped.  If anyone thinks so let him read and read again this message of the great apostle until something of the awesomeness of the position and responsibilities of an elder are burned into his soul.  It is easier to run a multi-national corporation than it is to shepherd God's "little flock," and a far less responsible work as well. [9]

 

The word “poimaino” allows us to complete the circle of pastoral responsibilities as its verb form is the term we initially considered in 1 Peter 5:2… “feed (poimanate) the flock of God which is among you, taking oversight thereof.”  And our study of the Scriptures has allowed us to recognize that shepherding God’s sheep involves provision, protection, prayer, personal example, pastoral care, and presiding.

 

 

THE MANNER AND CAUTIONS OF SHEPHERDING GOD’S SHEEP

 

But how and how not is this pastoring to be done?  The apostle Peter proceeds in 1 Peter 5:2-3 to instruct these elders regarding the manner of their shepherding by raising three specific cautions and clarifications:

 

1.      “not by constraint, but willingly” — This caution indicates that pastoral ministry must not be entered or engaged in by external coercion or force but voluntarily, based on the call of God for one’s life (1 Timothy 1:12) and a compulsion of heart that desires this (1 Timothy 3:1).  Hiebert candidly remarks,

 

The elder should not occupy the office as a reluctant draftee, doing an irksome task because he feels that he cannot escape it.[10]

 

“Volitional responsibility keeps the element of love predominant.”  Personal love for the Lord and His people prompts willing service.[11]

 

2.      “not for filthy lucre, but of ready mind.” — This warning expels the wrong motives for ministry involving personal gain or greed for power, money, or prestige.  In contrast, the elders should shepherd God’s church with great eagerness.  Again Hiebert adds,

 

That does not prohibit the elder from receiving a fair return for honest toil.  Peter, like Paul, accepted the ordinance of Christ: “the worker deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7; 1 Tim. 5:18), but Peter was warning against taking up the work because of a desire for material gain, “it being a shameful thing for a shepherd to feed the sheep out of the love [for] the fleece.”[12]

 

3.      “neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.”  This caution warns against the abuse of power and the dominating dictatorial rule in which believers are never allowed to disagree submissively with a decision without fear of consequences.  Or if perhaps you have a differing opinion, then even with scriptural grounds, you are viewed as disloyal. 

 

The use of hōs (''as''), not represented in the NIV, implies the assumption of a position that was not proper.  The compound verb pictures the scene. The simple verb kurieuō means "to control, rule, to be lord or master of."  The preposition kata, "down," indicates intensity and depicts a heavy-handed use of authority for personal aggrandizement that manifests itself in the desire to dominate, accompanied by a haughty demand for compliance.  Jesus directly condemned such an abuse of authority among His followers (Matt. 20:25-27; Mark 10:4:42-44).[13]

 

Instead of pontificating over God’s people as tyrants, spiritual leaders are to be servants of the Lord whose lives are examples of godliness to the church.  Fellow-pastors, we must practice what we preach!

 

It is worth noting in this passage the humble example of servant leadership that Peter exhibits.  He displayed no pedestal problem of position when he wrote…

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.  (1 Peter 5:1)

 

He further demonstrated no sense of personal ecclesiastical possession of the church when he penned…

 

“Feed the flock of God which is among you…” (5:2)

 

“Neither as being lords over God's heritage…” (5:3b)

 

This leadership example is in stark contrast to domineering Diotrophes…

 

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.   (3 John 1:9-10)

 

If you are a pastor or elder, does your shepherding ministry resemble more the humble service of Peter or the haughty self-service of Diotrphes?

 

5.      The REWARD For Faithful Spiritual Leadership in the Church.

 

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.  (1 Peter 5:4)

 

Peter caps this passage by reminding these elders of a special and significant crown that is promised to each faithful shepherd.  It is described as “a crown of glory.”

 

The Greek definite article “ton” indicates that it is a specific crown.  It stands in contrast to the “crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8) and “the crown of life” (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).  The word “crown” (stephanon, not diadem) was used of the laurel wreath given to the victor at the Olympic games as a token of public honor (“of glory”) for distinguished service.  Unlike the gift of salvation which is given at the moment of faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8), this incorruptible reward (“that fadeth not away”) for their faithful service to the Saviour (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) will be given “when the chief Shepherd shall appear” (i.e. the Rapture and Judgment Seat of Christ).

 

Dear fellow-elders, the mention of this special crown for faithful pastors is designed to remind us of the value and importance of being faithful to the Lord in this awesome responsibility of shepherding God’s flock.  And though your ministry may be unappreciated in this life, you can be rewarded by the Lord Himself in the next!

 

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.  (Hebrews 6:10)

 

For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 

(1 Corinthians 4:4-5)

 

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (2 John 1:8)

 

As I reflect upon these passages of Scripture and the awesome role and responsibilities entrusted by God to me as an elder, I sense my great personal inadequacy and find myself crying out,

 

And who is sufficient for these things? 

(2 Corinthians 2:16)

 

And the Lord via His Word quiets my overwhelmed heart by reminding me,

 

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament… (2 Corinthians 3:5-6a)

 

I can’t do it; but He can!  Praise the Lord!  And if “I try; I fail.  I trust; and He succeeds!”  Lord, may we never forget this truth. g

 

In the next edition of the Grace Family Journal, we will begin examining the responsibilities of the congregation to their spiritual leaders.