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The author reinforces an unbiblical expression of church leadership, the CEO pastor. In actual fact the elders are to lead the local church:
1Pe. 5:1-3 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... 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Astonishingly, the author will actually refer to this passage but for some reason he will miss (or avoid) the fact that Peter was describing the duties of elders.
We must consider this Bad Bible Teaching.
(...)
The office of the pastorate is a high one, the work a noble one, and the men who faithfully undertake it are worthy of our admiration.
In our age of constant news, social media, and the world’s attentiveness to pastors who have stumbled, it is easy to forget all that pastors do for the Church. Sure, we have all heard of a pastor who has not acted admirably, but they are the exception, not the rule. Most of the pastors I know garner my trust and respect and deserve my prayers and support. That, and given my own years serving churches, makes me admire pastors. You should too. Here is why.
First, pastors are called by God. Christ has given the church in our age, “evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). One does not stroll into the ministry; one surrenders to it. Pastors are those who have been set apart by God, called by His Spirit, and who have submitted their lives to Him. This requires obedience not only to enter the ministry but to continue in it. Thus, I admire pastors for yielding their lives to God. (We wonder, is this much different than any Christian who yields his life to God? In what way? Is there something superior in the way a pastor yields? And what about the four other offices described in Ephesians chapter 4?)
Second, pastors minister the Word. The pastor’s one, irreducible responsibility is to feed the sheep the Word of God. Paul stipulates the pastor “must be able to teach,” (This passage is describing overseers, not pastors. Overseers are elders [1Pe. 5:1-2], not pastors. And, there is no Bible verse that tells us that pastors minister the Word.)
In our age of constant news, social media, and the world’s attentiveness to pastors who have stumbled, it is easy to forget all that pastors do for the Church. Sure, we have all heard of a pastor who has not acted admirably, but they are the exception, not the rule. Most of the pastors I know garner my trust and respect and deserve my prayers and support. That, and given my own years serving churches, makes me admire pastors. You should too. Here is why.
First, pastors are called by God. Christ has given the church in our age, “evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). One does not stroll into the ministry; one surrenders to it. Pastors are those who have been set apart by God, called by His Spirit, and who have submitted their lives to Him. This requires obedience not only to enter the ministry but to continue in it. Thus, I admire pastors for yielding their lives to God. (We wonder, is this much different than any Christian who yields his life to God? In what way? Is there something superior in the way a pastor yields? And what about the four other offices described in Ephesians chapter 4?)
Second, pastors minister the Word. The pastor’s one, irreducible responsibility is to feed the sheep the Word of God. Paul stipulates the pastor “must be able to teach,” (This passage is describing overseers, not pastors. Overseers are elders [1Pe. 5:1-2], not pastors. And, there is no Bible verse that tells us that pastors minister the Word.)
and he charged Timothy to “give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” and to “preach the Word” (I Timothy 3:2, 4:13; II Timothy 4:2). (This was Paul's charge to Timothy, but why does the author think it applies to pastors? There is nothing in the Bible that tells us a pastor is the teacher. In fact, the author cited Ephesians 4:11-12 above, which mentions "pastors and teachers," not pastors who are teachers.)
The pastor who faithfully discharges this responsibility (Where does the Bible tell us that pastors have this responsibility?)
does more than feed the church the Word; he feeds me the Word. Every Christian needs a steady intake of God’s Word. (So do Christians need to be spoon fed, or should they search the Scriptures themselves?)
And a faithful pastor, who rightly divides the Word weekly, is worthy of high praise.
Third, pastors are held to a higher level of accountability. In fact, both the task of preaching and the responsibility of spiritual accountability bring this higher level of accountability. It begins with the qualifications of the office, as outlined in I Timothy 3:1-7 (Overseers. Pastors are not mentioned in the passage.)
and Titus 1:6-9. (Elders/overseers. Pastors are not mentioned in this passage.)
But it extends to other passages as well, including, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgement,” (Again, no mention of pastors here.)
and that congregations should “obey their leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account” (Sigh... No mention of pastors here, either. Where exactly does the author find all this information about pastors, since the Bible does not teach this?)
(James 3:1, Hebrews 13:17). This fact is all the more daunting when you realize that pastors face more intense temptation. Satan targets those whose fall will do most damage to the Church and most sully God’s glory. I admire pastors for putting themselves in the arena.
Fourth, pastors tend the flock. (Finally, the author wanders into the truth. This is the actual duty of pastors. But this is the only point he doesn't document with Scripture.)
Fourth, pastors tend the flock. (Finally, the author wanders into the truth. This is the actual duty of pastors. But this is the only point he doesn't document with Scripture.)
Pastors are more than a shoulder to cry on, and they offer more than consolation during life’s trials. They preach, lead, and fulfill a host of other responsibilities, but pastors are men who are willing to bear our burdens of heart. When we need prayer, counsel, or support, pastors stand in the gap for us. They bear our burden with us. Paul spoke of his affection and parental care of the believers in Thessalonica, and Peter exhorted the elders to shepherd the flock with eagerness, not lording over them. (The author refers to 1 Peter 5:3. Again, no mention of pastors. The elders are charged by Peter with "shepherding God's flock" [1 Peter 5:2].)
Such is the heart of a pastor, one who loves his congregation. This is no easy task. Church members can be wayward, stubborn, and even rebellious. Thus, the pastor who serves the flock is worthy of our admiration.
In Conclusion
Do you admire your pastor? Does he know it? The point is not to put him on a pedestal. (But that is exactly what the author is arguing for. Most churches exalt the pastor as the answer man, the theologian, the go-to guy, the one who is supposed to do the ministry because that's what we pay him for.
In Conclusion
Do you admire your pastor? Does he know it? The point is not to put him on a pedestal. (But that is exactly what the author is arguing for. Most churches exalt the pastor as the answer man, the theologian, the go-to guy, the one who is supposed to do the ministry because that's what we pay him for.
The very thing the author attempts to argue for is the biggest problem in the church. It's why pastors stumble, burn out, or fall away from the faith. They are carrying burdens and doing duties that are abiblical.)
The point is to rightly value, appreciate, and honor him. Do not wait until Pastor Appreciation Month. Why not thank him this week? Why not pray for him this week? Why not speak encouraging words about him and to him this week? As you do, he will be encouraged, your church will be strengthened, and you will no doubt be even better served by him.
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