ROLE OF A PASTOR

Pastors’ roles are normally determined by the rules of the church bodies with which they are associated, their own understanding of their role and the expectations of their congregations. However, it is worth looking at what the Bible has to say about this role.

The word “pastor” means “shepherd” and implies that a pastor is given the role of caring for God’s flock. Not all those who carry out the work of a pastor are referred to as pastors. Depending on their denomination, they may be called a minister (which means “servant”), presbyter (which means “elder”), parish priest (which refers to their leading people in worship), clergy (which refers to their having been called to this role), or vicar (which refers to their serving on behalf of the one they represent). These different titles reflect the orientation of various denominations towards pastoral ministry, but in essence all who bear these titles are pastors, shepherds of God’s people.

In the OT God is frequently spoken of as a shepherd with the people of Israel as his flock (Pss 23:1-4; 80:1). Kings were also described as shepherds of their people, responsible for providing them with food, protecting them, binding up their wounds, strengthening the weak and seeking those who strayed. When they failed to carry out these responsibilities, the Lord rebuked them for their failure to care for his flock and promised to replace them (Jer 23:1-4; Ezek 34).

Jesus Christ shows all the qualities of the true shepherd, whose coming is prophesied in Ezekiel 34:11-16. In John 10:11-18 he describes himself as the good shepherd and gives details about the qualities required of a good shepherd.

The apostles who assumed leadership of the early church saw their role as continuing Jesus’ ministry as a shepherd. In his farewell address to the elders of the church at Ephesus, Paul exhorted them to tend, oversee, protect and guard the flock under their charge (Acts 20:28-31; see also 1 Pet 5:2-3). Paul mentions pastors and teachers in his list of the gifts God has given the church (Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 12:28).

This clarified that there is a specific role of “pastor” within the church, and that it is intended to equip believers to serve the Lord better. In his letters to Timothy, Paul set out the qualifications for appointment to these positions (1 Tim 3:1-13).

It may be helpful to divide the responsibilities of a pastor into three categories, all of which are modelled on the role of the Chief Shepherd – Jesus Christ (1 Pet 5:4).

• Incarnational role. Just as Jesus identified with us by coming to live among us, so pastors must commit to identifying with the congregation they serve. The pastor’s knowledge of them must go beyond merely knowing their names to knowing their needs and struggles. Such personal knowledge makes it possible to minister to individual needs and offer spiritual guidance. Preaching and teaching will become more relevant as the pastor comes to know and be known by the congregation at a deep level (John 10:4). Pastors who adopt an incarnational approach will be able to pray more effectively, and discipling within the congregation will be more effective.

• Jesus trained his disciples by sharing his life and ministry with them. In the same way, a pastor who identifies with the congregation will begin to recognise spiritual gifts and resources within the congregation. The pastor’s job will then include acting as a coach and mentor, training the local congregation to work as a team so that ministry can be carried out by the whole people of God. This approach demands that the pastor have a vision of the plan of God for the church and for the local congregation. It requires integrity and love in the pastor’s own life and conduct, for otherwise it will be impossible to effectively guide, protect and nurture the congregation.

• Representational role. The pastor is called to represent God to the congregation by preaching and teaching so that the people come to understand all that God has said (Acts 20:27). This highlights the importance of pastors’ teaching ministry. They are to be like faithful watchmen, proclaiming God’s message to those they are called to protect (Ezek 33:16). This is a serious responsibility. They serve as shepherds of a flock that belongs to God, and they must care for it as he would care for it and teach it what he would want it to know (1 Pet 5:2).

• It is important to note that in his representational role, the pastor is not acting like an OT priest and representing the congregation before God. The NT describes all believers as priests (1 Pet 2:9). The pastor is simply the one who leads in worship and administers the sacraments.

• Restorative role. Pastors are called to bind up wounds and restore broken relationships, to seek the lost and restore them to God. They must work to bring about reconciliation and healing in relationships that have gone sour. They need to learn to identify the ways in which people are wronged, neglected, marginalised and discriminated against, and help address the factors leading to conditions of extreme wealth and extreme poverty. They should fight for their people’s legitimate rights. They must act as facilitators and mediators, which means they will also have to address the poverty that cripples people and the unjust systems that contribute to keeping them in poverty.

This role is hard and requires sacrificial commitment to the needs of the flock.

Most Christians in South Asia live as minorities among other communities who are much larger and more powerful, and who are very sensitive to any suggestion of missionary work. In such situations, pastors need to encourage their congregation to dialogue with their neighbours, not as an act of compromise but in an attempt to bring them too into the flock of Christ.

• To sum up, in the words of the Apostle Paul, the goal of pastoral work “is to present everyone fully mature in Christ”. To this end the pastor must work day and night to proclaim Christ, warning and “teaching everyone with all wisdom” (Col 1:28).

N. G. Mathew