Question 1

How are pastors to lead?

Accepted Answer

Ephesians 4:9-13These are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.God has provided pastors to provide unique spiritual instruction, leadership, and care for his people. When Paul listed five special offices (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers), he wasn’t referring to past leaders like the Old Testament prophets or the Twelve apostles. He was referring to current and future leaders with spiritual gifts as apostles (messengers), prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. Pastors (or shepherds), among other spiritual leaders, are equipped by the Holy Spirit to help others mature in their faith to better serve together in God’s Kingdom. It is essential to realize that service in God’s Kingdom belongs to all the people. Pastors and others with roles in spiritual leadership are like coaches who help everyone else to excel on God’s team.Exodus 28:29-30“In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the Holy Place. This will be a continual reminder that he represents the people when he comes before the Lord. Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron’s heart when he goes into the Lord’s presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the Lord’s will for his people whenever he goes in before the Lord.”Numbers 6:22-27Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’ Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”Compassion, blessing, and spiritual direction are at the heart of spiritual leadership. The high priest wore the names of the tribes of Israel on his chest as a symbol of carrying people in his heart in prayer and godly concern. He also carried the Urim and Thummim that were used in discerning God’s will. The priests given a script that suggested their role in blessing the people.Ezekiel 3:17-21“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. If I warn the wicked, . . . but you fail to deliver the warning, . . . I will hold you responsible.”Ezekiel 34:11-16“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home . . . I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!”Church leaders are watchmen or guardians of the community of faith, who are charged to communicate God’s word of nurture, instruction, and warning to God’s people. They are to care tenderly for God’s flock. They cannot force the people to listen, but they must convey God’s Word clearly, and boldly call them to obedience. Otherwise, the people will continue in disobedience, not knowing God’s will, and the shepherds will be held responsible for the people’s sins.1 Peter 5:1-4Now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. . . . Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.The Lord models what it means to be a good shepherd (pastor) of his people. The first priority is bringing people “into the fold,” both through conversion of unbelievers, as well as seeking out and restoring those who have become alienated from God’s people. Then they care for them through worship, instruction, spiritual refreshment, and nourishment. Then they lead the people of God to live together in godly fellowship.

Question 2

How does God view pastors who serve themselves instead of their people?

Accepted Answer

Ezekiel 34:1-10Then this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. . . . though you were my shepherds, you didn’t search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve.”Self-serving pastors are a contradiction in terms and an abomination to the Lord. God rebukes the selfishness and corruption of Israel’s spiritual leaders in the sternest terms possible, even as parents would be incensed with a teacher who led their child astray.Matthew 23:13-15“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either. What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!”Matthew 23:25-26“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.”James 3:1Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.The Lord looks for integrity in his spiritual leaders. This means congruence between what they teach and how they live. It means consistency in their beliefs and behavior. And it means they never exempt themselves from their own teaching. Pastors and other leaders will ultimately be held accountable by God for their role in the church.

Pastors/Ministers