The Role of the Pastor

A couple of years ago, I wrote an article about the role of pastors in the local churches. The audience I had in mind while writing it was other pastors. It seems to me that with the resurgence of militant Calvinism and the concurrent emphasis on multiple elders in each congregation that the role of the pastor-teacher, the undershepherd, God's man has been devalued. In Scripture and in experience, I see little evidence for demanding that each congregation have multiple elders, much less that each elder is equal in authority with each of the other elders. With that in mind, I quote my own article.

The pastor is described in the Scripture as a shepherd, elder, overseer, and
steward. These descriptions provide us with the parameters of his character,
responsibility, and authority.

Three criteria should govern the character of the man of God. First, he is an elder. That is, he should be seasoned in the service of the Lord, not new or immature in the ministry. He is to possess the proper seriousness of mind and demeanor that lends itself to the awesome task with which he is charged. It is a call to mature balance. Second, he is called to be blameless. That is, he is to be of sufficient character quality that no major character flaw can be laid to his account. He cannot be sinless for he is
a man still in the flesh and subject to the same temptations and shortcomings as
other believers. However, blamelessness indicates that the pastor is obedient,
humble, and yielded to God to the extent that he is an exemplary role model to
the believers under his charge. Third, he is a leader. That is, he is willing
and ready to step to the front and call others to follow him. He is to be
confident in his gifts and calling, but more confident in the One who called and
enables him.

The Lord lays heavy responsibility upon the shoulders of those
he calls to pastor his flocks. The pastor is described as a shepherd. That
indicates that he has the responsibility to feed, guide, and protect the flock.
He has a primary duty to feed the Word of God to the congregation. He must be
careful to declare the whole counsel of God, both the milk and the meat of the
Scriptures. He is also responsible to guide the church as a whole and believers
as individuals, so that they are equipped for life and ministry. Additionally,
he is charged with protecting the congregation from attacks, both from without
and within. This requires that he be vigilant and alert, and that he be courageous in dealing with wolves. The pastor is also described as an overseer. That indicates that he has the responsibility to provide direction for the entire enterprise of the church and to have charge for the spiritual welfare and development of its members. The pastor is also described as a steward, that is, the manager of the Master’s household.

The Bible sheds much light on the authority that goes along with the responsibilities of fulfilling the office of pastor. He is said to have "the rule", which is governing authority that congregants are admonished to "obey". The requisite authority to carry out his responsibilities is also implied in the titles "overseer" and "steward". The nature of his authority is hierarchal, moral, and spiritual. It is hierarchal in
that he is the chief officer in the chain of command of the local church, under
Christ. It is moral in that he is not to "lord over" those under his authority
by the barking of commands and presenting of demands. Rather, he is to lead and
to compel them by his example and love for them. It is spiritual in that his
exercise of authority should be with an eye to enhancing the church’s and the
individual’s relationship with God.

The role of the pastor requires a man of character who can shoulder responsibility and who can graciously exercise authority. He is the first among equals in the local body. His role demands that he have the skill to work with other leaders and officers and that he have the strength to provide them leadership. He is to be neither a despot nor a doormat. He is to be the willing patriarch of the household over which God places him as leader. In so leading, he will please his Master.