The Role of the Pastor – Deliberate Church – Chapter 8
Mark Dever (The Deliberate Church, [Crossway: 2005], 89-95):
- Graze – feed the flock (great importance of the preaching of the Word)
- Guide – direct, model, equip, and keep the flock
- Guard – from false teachers and false teaching
- The 4 P’s that should drive the pastor as he leads. – preaching, prayer, personal discipleship relationships, and patience (from Chapter 1)
The Pastor/Elder
Acts 20:24-32, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Hebrews 13:7&17
Elder – His Character…maturity/age/wisdom
Overseer/bishop – His Function…watch over and manage
Pastor – His Work…a shepherd
Loving, Feeding, Leading, Guiding, Protecting, & Caring
He loves
- Jesus is the great example. John 10
- He loves his people and his community
He feeds
- The flock needs proper nourishment
- Word, Worship, Fellowship, and Ministry
He leads
- He has a vision and a strategy (followship)
- Where is the church going? How is it going to get there?
He guides
- He encourages growth and progress, because he knows that is best for the flock. (PREACHES AND PRODS)
He protects
- The world is a dangerous and discouraging place
- That is why the sheep need to stay together!!!!!
- Tools for the trade: Teaching, Standing.
- That is why…THE TRUTH IS SO IMPORTANT…WHAT WE BELIEVE DETERMINES HOW WE LIVE
He cares
- For those God has placed in his care
What must a pastor possess?
A love for God and a desire to live for Him
If one is not excited and passionate about the Lord, then his ministry will constantly need things, opportunities, or people to keep him motivated and excited about his call. A pastor should find and have his total joy in knowing and serving Him and His church.
A theological understanding of what one believes and why he believes it
A person’s doctrine will be the foundation on which one builds and sustains one’s ministry. Theology is what directs methodology. Truth is what the pastor must stand on and stand for.
A love for people and a willingness to invest in the lives of others
Ministry is about people. People who need to hear, believe in, respond to, & continue in the Gospel. It is more than just “teaching and leading. It is about loving and living as a family… the body of Christ
A “press- on” mentality
Throughout history faithful men and women of God have been hard workers. The fields are waiting for the workers.
Disciplined – Doing the things the planter KNOWS he needs to be doing. (Spiritually and Physically)
Diligent – Staying on task; continuing to chart the course.
Devoted – Loving Christ and the things that Christ loves.
A continuous love for the Gospel
Ephesians 2:8–10 – [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)
Scripture References:
Acts 20:24–32 – [24] But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. [25] And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. [26] Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, [27] for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. [28] 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. [29] I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; [30] and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. [31] Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. [32] And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (ESV)
1 Peter 5:1–4 – [1] So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: [2] shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; [3] not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. [4] And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (ESV)
Hebrews 13:7 – Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (ESV)
Hebrews 13:17 – Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (ESV)