Response:

The Pastor's responsibilities are spelled out in a couple different places. Of course, the entire books of I and II Timothy and Titus were written to pastors to tell them how to lead their congregations.

The first responsibility that a pastor has is to be in a right relationship with God. I Tim 3:1-7 spells out the spiritual requirements for a pastor. They are 1) Blameless - not necessarily perfect, but no character flaws that people can lay hold of; 2) husband of one wife - a "man of one woman": not a polygamist, not divorced and remarried; 3) vigilant - calm, circumspect, under control, rational; 4) sober - literally "thinking like a Christian"; 5) of good behavior - orderly, as opposed to disorderly in his life and relationships; 6) given to hospitality - literally "loving strangers"; one who opens up his home and life to others; 7) apt to teach - willing and skillful at teaching; 8) not given to wine - literally "not alongside wine"; an abstainer; 9) no striker - not someone who is quick to come to blows, but rather someone who keeps his temper; 10) not greedy of filthy lucre - not in the ministry for material gain; 11) patient - moderate, reasonable, not demanding what is due; 12) not a brawler - not a fighter or contentious, literally "not macho"; 13) not covetous - not enslaved to money of possessions; 14) Ruling his own house well - superintending and leading his house properly, with his children obedient and respectful; 15) not a novice - not a new convert, for fear of pride problems; 16) of good report of them which are without - having a good testimony before the unsaved.

Of course, included in this list is the pastor's responsibility to have his home right. If he can't lead his wife and children properly, he will never be able to lead a church properly.

As far as his responsibility to the church is concerned, there are several passages we can look at. The pastor is to instruct the people in the teachings of Scripture (I Tim 4:6). He is to set a proper example to the believers (I Tim 4: 12). He is to preach the Word (II Tim 4:2). Of course, this implies that he is to know the Word well enough to teach it II Tim 2:15). Also in II Tim 4:2,5, the pastor is to be instant (present, ready, available) when it is convenient and when it isn't. He is to reprove (a rebuke which results in a person's confession of his guilt), rebuke (a sharp rebuke which carries with it the possibility of punishment, which is not necessarily accepted by the hearer), and exhort (to come alongside for the purpose of helping; same word as the Comforter), with longsuffering (not quick to retaliate) and doctrine (teaching of the Book). He is to watch (to be sober, alert, temperate), endure afflictions (to suffer hardships and troubles), do the work of an evangelist (be personally seeking the salvation of the lost, as well as the establishment of churches), and to make full proof of the ministry (carry it through to the end, fully perform it).

In I Peter 5:2-3, the pastor is to feed the flock of God (to shepherd them in areas of feeding, protecting, leading, tending, etc.), and take the oversight of the assembly, which would involve spiritual leadership. He is to do this willingly, and not for financial gain. He is to do it, not by setting himself up as a heavy-handed dictator, but by setting the proper example, remembering that it is the Lord's church, and that he (the pastor) is simply the under-shepherd.

In I Thes 5:12, the pastor is to labor, to be over (to superintend), and to admonish (warn). In I Tim 5:17, the pastor is to rule (superintend, preside over). In Acts 20;28 he is to take heed to the flock (pay attention to, apply himself to), oversee, and feed (shepherd).

This is a general guideline of pastoral responsibility. The Bible does not say how all these things are to be accomplished. It simply says that he is to do them. As a pastor, I hope I can measure up to this high calling from God.

By Dr Mark Montgomery Ambassador Baptist Church 1926 Babcock Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412)477-3210