What Does a Pastor Do? - by Joel Smit

Found here.

This author repeats the talking points of the traditional church view, that the pastor is the presiding head of the local church. This is not found in the Bible.

Paul used used the term "pastor" [poimén] only once, in Ephesians 4:11. Besides this verse and the references to the literal shepherds who witnessed the company of angels [Luke 2:8], the term is never used in the NT regarding a man. 

Another related word, poimainó, is used in 1 Peter 5:2, among other places: 

1Pe. 5:2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers...

Peter wrote these words to the elders. The elders are supposed to be the shepherds and overseers, not a pastor. There is nothing in the NT that indicates anyone was named to be a pastor, or that pastors lead churches, or what their duties are. 

In addition, though the author quotes several Bible verses, he either misrepresents them or the verses he cites do not bolster his case. In fact, he lies to us.

We must consider this Bad Bible Teaching.)

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(...)

A Distinct Calling

A pastor’s work, first and foremost, flows from his calling. The call to gospel ministry is distinct from the general call to salvation. The Apostle Paul reminds his young protégé, Timothy, of this distinct calling through “the laying on of hands,” describing it as a “holy calling” (2 Tim. 1:6–9). (Let's quote:

2Ti. 1:6-9 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time...

The very first thing the author does is lie to us. There is no mention of "gospel ministry" here. Pastoring is not the subject, since Timothy wasn't a pastor. He was an associate of Paul sent to the Ephesian church on assignment to set it in order until Paul could arrive [1Ti. 3:14]. 

Paul instructed Timothy that the elders direct the affairs of the church [1Ti. 5:17]. In fact, Paul never used the word "pastor" in either letter to Timothy. 

Timothy wasn't a pastor. The "holy calling" mentioned here is not pastorship.)

It is indeed a holy calling, for the minister is set apart by and through the church (?? Did the Ephesian church call Timothy? It was Paul who laid his hands on Timothy. Or maybe the author is mixed up about which hands-laying incident he talking about. The other one: 

1Ti. 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 

Or maybe not. Because neither Scripture mentions a "gospel ministry." Neither Scripture mentions a calling. Neither Scripture mentions a life direction. Neither Scripture mentions a pastor.)

to represent the Lord Jesus Christ in word and deed as His ambassador who is entrusted with the authoritative keys of the kingdom (2 Cor. 5:20; Matt. 16:19). (Let's quote: 

2Co. 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Mt. 16:19 I will give you [Peter] the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

The author lies to us again. The first is Paul referring to apostles. The second is specifically Peter's ministry and authority. Neither of these are about pastors.)

This representational authority (?? What is this?)

is never to be used for self-promotion (2 Cor. 4:5), nor to dominate those under one’s care (1 Peter 5:3). Rather, the pastor’s office is one of humble service, (Neither of these Scriptures are about pastors.)

modeled after our Lord Himself, who washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:1–17). Those who serve in this manner, with this calling and purpose in view, are honored by the Lord—and are to be honored by the congregation under their care (1 Tim. 5:17). (As we noted above, this Scripture refers to elders, not pastors.)

From this calling flow three primary responsibilities.

1. Lead

The first is to lead the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. (The author's questionable documentation has disappeared. Where does the Bible say this?)

A pastor is a leader. (Where does the Bible say this?)

But this leadership must not be confused with the kind seen in corporate America, where success is often measured by bottom-line results.

Leadership in Christ’s church is, above all, leadership by example—an example of godliness and Christlikeness. When Joshua led the people of God into the promised land, the Lord did not provide military strategies as the key to victory. Instead, He instructed Joshua: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Josh. 1:8).

Similarly, when addressing the church in Corinth—a church plagued with division and moral confusion—Paul pointed to his own example as a guide to godliness: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). (Paul was writing to the whole Corinthian church [1Co. 1:2], not the pastor of the Corinthian church.)

It is from this foundation of personal integrity and godly example that the minister is able to lead the people of God in both the worship of God and the ministry of the church.

2. Provide

Second, a pastor is called to provide for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Where does the Bible say this?)

This provision comes through the ministry of the Word, (Where does the Bible say this?)

the sacraments, (Where does the Bible say this?)

and prayer. (Where does the Bible say this?)

These are the special—yet ordinary—means of grace that God has appointed to fully and sufficiently minister to His people, communicating to them the benefits of their redemption in Christ.

The minister’s task is to faithfully and consistently administer these means to the flock entrusted to his care. (The author is referring to 1Ti. 6:20:

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.

This verse does not refer to the flock, it is the Gospel message Timothy received from Paul:

2Ti. 1:13-14 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

We are no longer confident that the author is a competent Bible teacher.)

He must not become overly distracted by other concerns, however valid they may be. The Apostle Peter makes this priority clear in Acts 6, when pressing needs arose in the early church regarding the daily distribution of food. Peter responds, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables . . . But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:2, 4). (Pastors are not apostles.)

This emphasis does not diminish the importance of other ministries within the church; rather, it rightly orders them under the foundational provision of spiritual nourishment. Peter learned this priority directly from our Lord, who commissioned him three times to “feed my sheep” (John 21:17). (Pastors are not apostles.)

3. Protect

Third, a pastor is to protect the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Where does the Bible say this?)

This responsibility goes all the way back to Adam, the first man, who was placed in the garden of Eden “to work it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). Adam was tasked with cultivating the garden and guarding it from anything that might hinder its flourishing. Tragically, Adam failed in this protective role, succumbing to the serpent’s deception through his wife Eve, and thus plunging all of humanity into sin.

To this day, sin and Satan continue to plague the world—and especially the church. The minister, therefore, must be vigilant in guarding the flock. (Where does the Bible say this?)

He is called to warn against spiritual danger and to wage war against the attacks of the evil one (Eph. 6:10–20). (Sigh... This is the well-known "spiritual armor" passage. Of course it's not about pastors.)

In doing so, he proclaims that the ultimate victory has already been won by the resurrected and ascended Lord Jesus Christ. Even amid the ongoing struggle with the fallenness of the world and our own hearts, the church stands victorious in Him.

Furthermore, the pastor must labor to maintain both the peace and purity of the church. The Apostle Paul exhorts the elders (!!! Not pastors?)

of Ephesus with this solemn charge:

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock . . . Therefore, be alert. (Acts 20:28–31)

These three responsibilities—to lead, provide, and protect—can be summed up in the most frequent biblical analogy for leaders of God’s people: the shepherd. Even the title “pastor” comes from this image of tending, feeding, and nurturing Christ’s flock. (Finally some truth. A pastor cares for the flock. There is no scriptural indication he presides over it, preaches, is the first to arrive on Sunday morning, shovels snow, prays over the potluck... none of this is described in the Bible.

As mentioned, a church is lead by elders. A pastor might be one of the elders or might not. A pastor might keep the books, but not because he's a pastor. A pastor might maintain the church facility, but not because he's a pastor. A pastor might preach, but not because he's a pastor. 

A pastor cares for the flock. That's his job description.)

This shepherding model finds its perfect example, its ongoing strength, and its eternal security in the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, “who lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). For this reason, the Apostle Peter offers this enduring charge to ministers of the gospel:

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight . . . willingly . . . eagerly . . . being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:2–4) (With a final flourish, the author lies to again, this time by omission. He omits verse one:  

 

1Pe. 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder...

This man is not a Bible teacher.) 

May the Lord, by His grace, raise up many pastors who will faithfully shepherd the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.