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This is a perplexing article. The author takes many liberties with the concepts of "pastor," "teacher," and "evangelist." He blends these things into a pastor's job description, and exhorts his pastor-readers to add the work of an evangelist to their repertoires.
This is a perplexing article. The author takes many liberties with the concepts of "pastor," "teacher," and "evangelist." He blends these things into a pastor's job description, and exhorts his pastor-readers to add the work of an evangelist to their repertoires.
The author has nothing to say to pastors about training and releasing people into service so that the pastor doesn't have to do it all. He doesn't exhort pastors to bring forth maturity in Christ so that his flock will go forth as evangelists, pastors, or teachers. He's not interested in establishing a healthy, biblical leadership model.
He doesn't even seem to understand the great burden the Church errantly places on pastors, for the author is happy to pile more upon pastors himself.
We have taken many opportunities to comment on the mistaken role given to pastors. It has become a grave concern of ours as we have observed pastor after pastor blow up, fall away, or compromise the gospel. We believe a properly structured church would minimize these failures.
He doesn't even seem to understand the great burden the Church errantly places on pastors, for the author is happy to pile more upon pastors himself.
We have taken many opportunities to comment on the mistaken role given to pastors. It has become a grave concern of ours as we have observed pastor after pastor blow up, fall away, or compromise the gospel. We believe a properly structured church would minimize these failures.
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PASTORS MUST BE MEN WHO KNOW AND LOVE THE GOSPEL AND WHO PRESENT IT WITH CLARITY, LOVE, JOY, AND EXPECTATION. (This is our first hint at how the author misapprehends the biblical role of pastors. This sentence, which he applies to pastors, we would actually extend to all Christians.)
It is the desire of every true-hearted shepherd to one day hear the Chief Shepherd say to them:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Again, every Christian would want to hear this.)
A faithful servant is one who has been found doing their master’s will. To that end, every pastor called by Christ will search the scriptures to find their duty and, in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, strive to fulfill that duty. (That would be our hope as well. Unfortunately, the author leads pastors away from this, and into potential dysfunction and even failure, as we will see.)
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of pastors striving to expound faithfully and apply Scripture. (The author conflates pastors with teachers. The two are not the same. In fact, they are listed separately:
It is the desire of every true-hearted shepherd to one day hear the Chief Shepherd say to them:
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Again, every Christian would want to hear this.)
A faithful servant is one who has been found doing their master’s will. To that end, every pastor called by Christ will search the scriptures to find their duty and, in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, strive to fulfill that duty. (That would be our hope as well. Unfortunately, the author leads pastors away from this, and into potential dysfunction and even failure, as we will see.)
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of pastors striving to expound faithfully and apply Scripture. (The author conflates pastors with teachers. The two are not the same. In fact, they are listed separately:
Ep. 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers...
This is the only use of the word Pastor in the NT. Every other mention of "shepherds" is connected to the eldership, not a top-of-the-pyramid pastor.)
There are a multitude of books on how to preach sound and helpful sermons and how to faithfully govern the flock, for which one will give an account on the last day. (Again we note how the author tends to blend things together. Again, pastors are not the same as teachers. They are not the ones to govern the flock.)
Among the many commands given to pastors, (The Scriptures give no commands to pastors. Many commands are given to shepherds [elders]. A pastor does not lead a congregation, the elders do. This is clearly seen in 1Pe. 5:1-2:
Shepherds are elders are overseers. They are part of a team that governs the church. This is not the job of the pastor.)
there is one that is beginning to receive renewed attention. That command is found in 2 Timothy 4:5 wherein the apostle Paul is giving a series of exhortations to Timothy which culminates in the command, “Fulfill your ministry.” In order to fulfill that ministry, the man of God must “Do the work of an evangelist.” (Let's quote the verse:
Among the many commands given to pastors, (The Scriptures give no commands to pastors. Many commands are given to shepherds [elders]. A pastor does not lead a congregation, the elders do. This is clearly seen in 1Pe. 5:1-2:
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve...
there is one that is beginning to receive renewed attention. That command is found in 2 Timothy 4:5 wherein the apostle Paul is giving a series of exhortations to Timothy which culminates in the command, “Fulfill your ministry.” In order to fulfill that ministry, the man of God must “Do the work of an evangelist.” (Let's quote the verse:
2Ti. 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
We first note that no Scripture anywhere tells us that Timothy was a pastor! Timothy was actually a valued associate of Paul, who labored alongside him, went to various churches on assignments, and generally did his bidding.
Paul and Barnabas was one such partnering in this work:
Paul and Barnabas was one such partnering in this work:
Ac. 14:23 “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”And Timothy also worked with Paul:
Ac. 17:15: “The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.”Timothy was sent to various places at Paul’s behest:
1Co. 4:17: “For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.”Some of Paul’s epistles were co-written with Timothy:
Ph. 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi…”Paul commends Timothy to the Philippian church:
Ph. 2:22 “But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.”Paul tells us why he was writing to Timothy:
1Ti. 3:14-15 “Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”Paul was planning to come himself, and the purpose of his instruction was to help Timothy deal with this particular church until Paul arrived.
1Ti. 4:13: “ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”Paul points out to Timothy that it is the elders who lead the church:
1Ti. 5:17 “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”And lastly, Paul counsels Timothy that Paul has trusted him with the assignment. Paul wants Timothy to keep the church intact and on the right path.
1 Ti. 6:20 “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.”
In sum, there isn’t a single passage that indicates that Timothy was pastor of this particular church. Rather, it is reasonable to conclude that Timothy was on assignment from Paul as a young church planter charged with setting up elders and correcting doctrine in this church, and Paul was advising him how to do it.)
What is this work and how is it to be manifested in the life of every pastor if he is to be found faithful to his calling?Are you a “Gospelizer”?
At least two matters must be considered.
The first is the meaning of the term. The second is how it applies to the conscience bound duties of pastors.
The word “evangelist” occurs only three times in the New Testament. It is used in Ephesians 4:11 to describe the gifts that the risen Christ had given to the church for its prosperity and growth (along with apostles, prophets, and the pastor-teacher). (Let's quote the verse, Eph 4:11:
...he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers...
The author's first error is to label them gifts. These people are appointed. The author's second error is to hyphenate pastor-teacher. This is an inexcusable deception.
Again, the author wants to blend various positions, gifts, and appointments to suit his doctrine.
It worth noting that evangelism as a concept is all over the NT, well beyond three mentions. For example, Mt. 9:37, Mt. 24:14, Mt. 26:13, Mt. 28:19, Mk. 10:29, Mk. 13:10, Mk. 14:9, Ac. 8:40, 1Co. 9:14, 2Co. 10:16, Col. 1:6)
It worth noting that evangelism as a concept is all over the NT, well beyond three mentions. For example, Mt. 9:37, Mt. 24:14, Mt. 26:13, Mt. 28:19, Mk. 10:29, Mk. 13:10, Mk. 14:9, Ac. 8:40, 1Co. 9:14, 2Co. 10:16, Col. 1:6)
It’s used in Acts 21:8 to describe Phillip who was one of the seven deacons appointed in Acts 6. There we simply read that Paul and his companions entered the house of Phillip “the evangelist.”
The third usage is in 2 Timothy 4:5. (Let's again quote it:
The third usage is in 2 Timothy 4:5. (Let's again quote it:
2Ti. 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
In that text and throughout the epistle and its sister volumes (1 Timothy and Titus) the labor of the pastoral ministry is set forth. (Again the author asserts a falsehood. There is nothing in Timothy or Titus that describes the duties of pastors!)
Pastors are to labor in the Word and in doctrine, give themselves to prayer and order. (Where does the Bible say this?)
They are to establish the life of the church, watch over the souls of the flock entrusted to them, and to take heed to their own selves as examples to the flock. (Where does the Bible say this?)
Within this calling comes the command, “Do the work of an evangelist.” The word in the original is a derivative of the word for gospel or good news. It is transliterated rather than translated. If one were to translate it, the word would mean, “bringer of good tidings.”
Do the work of bringing good tidings, or the term I prefer, do the work of a “Gospelizer.”
What do you think of when you think of an evangelist as opposed to a pastor? An evangelist is generally considered one who labors to bring unconverted people to a point of decision by means of preaching or presenting the law and the gospel to them. (Indeed, that is the way Strong's defines an evangelist: ...someone with a vocational calling from God to announce the good news of the Gospel (see Eph 4:11). An evangelist is dedicated to this calling. While every Christian should evangelize, evangelists are set apart for this work.
This means a pastor is likely not an evangelist.)
A pastor, however, takes those who have now been converted and brings them to maturity in Christ by preaching to them the whole counsel of God. (We search the Bible in vain for this definition. There is no place where a pastor is described as a preacher.)
They are to establish the life of the church, watch over the souls of the flock entrusted to them, and to take heed to their own selves as examples to the flock. (Where does the Bible say this?)
Within this calling comes the command, “Do the work of an evangelist.” The word in the original is a derivative of the word for gospel or good news. It is transliterated rather than translated. If one were to translate it, the word would mean, “bringer of good tidings.”
Do the work of bringing good tidings, or the term I prefer, do the work of a “Gospelizer.”
What do you think of when you think of an evangelist as opposed to a pastor? An evangelist is generally considered one who labors to bring unconverted people to a point of decision by means of preaching or presenting the law and the gospel to them. (Indeed, that is the way Strong's defines an evangelist: ...someone with a vocational calling from God to announce the good news of the Gospel (see Eph 4:11). An evangelist is dedicated to this calling. While every Christian should evangelize, evangelists are set apart for this work.
This means a pastor is likely not an evangelist.)
A pastor, however, takes those who have now been converted and brings them to maturity in Christ by preaching to them the whole counsel of God. (We search the Bible in vain for this definition. There is no place where a pastor is described as a preacher.)
In that way they labor in tandem. It is, as it were, taking the role of both a fisher of men and a shepherd of sheep (Apparently the pastor needs to take on more duties and obligations, rather than being part of a team of leaders with diverse gifts and talents.)
Preach the gospel
Now, in what way does the pastor do this work as part of his normal labors for which he will given an account? Paul seems to have in mind here something more than the general duties of the pastor as a Christian. Pastors are to be examples to the flock. It is the duty of believers to care about the souls of others and to live in such a way as to shine their light and to take advantage of opportunities afforded to them to speak the gospel (why a sinner needs to be saved, what God has done to provide salvation for sinners, and how this salvation is to be received makes up the core of a gospel presentation). Surely a pastor is to do what every believer is called to do.
But there is more here than that.
Paul is describing the hardship that will come to Timothy and others committed to sound doctrine and application. Paul warns of people in the church turning away to false teachers who will tickle their ears. Timothy is exhorted to do the very thing that people are beginning to hate—preach the whole truth of God, focus on doctrine and don’t back away from the implications of that truth. It is in that context that he says,
“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)
We must not lift these few words from their context. The context is pastoral labor. (No, it's not. The author himself has lifted words from their context. We have extensively documented that Timothy was not a pastor, he instead co-labored with Paul and went on assignments at Paul's behest. Timothy was there to put this church in order.
Preach the gospel
Now, in what way does the pastor do this work as part of his normal labors for which he will given an account? Paul seems to have in mind here something more than the general duties of the pastor as a Christian. Pastors are to be examples to the flock. It is the duty of believers to care about the souls of others and to live in such a way as to shine their light and to take advantage of opportunities afforded to them to speak the gospel (why a sinner needs to be saved, what God has done to provide salvation for sinners, and how this salvation is to be received makes up the core of a gospel presentation). Surely a pastor is to do what every believer is called to do.
But there is more here than that.
Paul is describing the hardship that will come to Timothy and others committed to sound doctrine and application. Paul warns of people in the church turning away to false teachers who will tickle their ears. Timothy is exhorted to do the very thing that people are beginning to hate—preach the whole truth of God, focus on doctrine and don’t back away from the implications of that truth. It is in that context that he says,
“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)
We must not lift these few words from their context. The context is pastoral labor. (No, it's not. The author himself has lifted words from their context. We have extensively documented that Timothy was not a pastor, he instead co-labored with Paul and went on assignments at Paul's behest. Timothy was there to put this church in order.
It is only a couple of verses later that Paul writes: 2Ti. 4:9 Do your best to come to me quickly...
Now why would Paul want Timothy to come to him. Doesn't Timothy have this church to pastor? Nope. This verse can only make sense if Paul had sent Timothy to this church to fix some things, and was summoning him back.
We find that this is expressly what happened to Timothy. Paul has sent him, and Paul wanted him to return to him:
1Ti. 1:3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer…
Timothy was not a pastor.)
(..)
While we may debate these matters, pastors who would fulfill their ministries must be men who know and love the gospel and who present it with clarity, love, joy, and expectation. (A recipe that will doom men to failure. Rather than helping to lift the heavy load from people who are laboring under false understanding of church leadership, the author simply wants to pile on even more. Such men would have to be supermen to bear up under the things imposed upon them that the Bible does not grant to them.)
Jim Savastio is pastor of Reformed Baptist Church of Louisville. He is also the president of the board of directors for Practical Shepherding Ministries and is co-author with Brian Croft of The Pastor’s Soul. He is married to Becky and they have four children.
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