The Role of Pastoral Ministry

The work of the pastor is an indispensable work in the life of the church. The Scripture indicates that although there might be a single man to speak to the church regularly, as in the case of Peter being the dominant voice in the early assembly in Jerusalem, the leadership of the church is to be a shared work among multiple men. These men who share leadership are called “pastors,” or “shepherds.” They are a unique blend of men, generally, who use their giftedness in order to direct the faith of the believers who attend that church. 

But, what exactly does a pastor do? And, what should the saints expect from their pastors? The need to understand the answers to these questions is vital to the life of the church. In fact, unless we grasp these things, the church will doctrinally and functionally lose their direction and mooring. 

The Introduction of the Pastor

The term “pastor” is used exclusively in the New Testament in reference to a man gifted by the Holy Spirit to lead the church. This leadership will go by other terms such as “elder,” and “overseer.” But, the work is essentially the same. He is a man who leads the church by means of teaching the Bible and instructing Christians how to obey it. 

The English word, “pastor,” is used only in Ephesians 4:11 for this spiritually-gifted man. However, the Greek word “shepherd,” from which “pastor” comes, is used often in the New Testament, as well as the corresponding Hebrew word for “shepherd” in the Old Testament. The word in the Old Testament and that in the New Testament refers to someone who leads as a shepherd might lead sheep. In fact, it is used to speak of a real shepherd who has a flock of sheep, as in Luke 2:8-20 referring to shepherds who were watching their flocks when the angel appeared announcing the birth of the Messiah. Those were vocational shepherds who raised literal sheep. Yet, the picture of how a shepherd leads sheep, as well as the way sheep behave, set the picture of what a shepherd of God’s people is metaphorically. 

The Illustration of the Pastor

It is important to look at some illustrations of shepherds in the Old Testament and then in the New Testament in order to truly get the sense of what the Lord requires of them. Then, once we have a sense of those requirements, we can get some idea of what the work looks like and how Christians can respond to spiritual shepherds. 

The shepherds of livestock in the Old Testament are predominantly seen as providing pasture for their animals. Whether it is Abel, or Joseph, or even King David himself, the keeping of flocks of goats and/or sheep was the work of providing safety, food, and water for these animals. The work was often treacherous since, at times, wild animals might try to attack the flock and drag off one or more of the flock. The shepherd of the livestock needed to always be within view of the sheep and goats for this reason. Further, he often traveled with the sheep as they wandered and grazed. He would lead them to favorite pasture and watering holes. He would lead them away from ravines, hazards, and areas of land known to be barren. He was always on the lookout for dangers which would serve to harm or kill the sheep. 

There is one particular example of a shepherd of livestock that serves as a wonderful transition into the work of the shepherd of souls, the pastor. The relationship between Jacob and Esau was one of difficulty and stress. Coupled with Jacob’s known treachery towards Esau was the tendency of Esau to be a harsh and worldly man. They were eventually reconciled as Jacob was traveling through the territory belonging to his brother. Esau, having a change of heart and wishing to provide safety and protection of Jacob and his entourage, wished to continue traveling together. However, the more aggressive Esau tended to move quickly. Jacob petitioned Esau to allow him to move slowly. Here is how he described it:

13But he said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak and that the flocks and herds which are nursing are a care to me. And if they are driven hard one day, all the flocks will die.

14 “Please let my lord pass on before his servant, and I will lead on slowly, according to the pace of the cattle that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord at Seir.”  (Genesis 33:13–14, LSB)

The pace of Jacob was slower than Esau’s would have been, and Jacob asked that Esau go on ahead so that Jacob could ensure his livestock, and little ones, are not burdened too heavily. As Jacob said, he wished to “lead on slowly, according to the pace of the cattle…” His livestock needed a slower pace for the purpose of bearing and nursing their young. This sensitivity gives us a good picture of the way in which a shepherd is attuned to the condition and needs of his flock, and adjusts his lifestyle accordingly. 

The Institution of the Pastor

As we transition from the physical shepherd of cattle and sheep, to the analogous shepherd of souls in Israel and the church, we can see an apt comparison to Jacob’s sensitivity for his flock, and the need for the shepherd, or pastor, to be sensitive to the flock of God. 

Within the nation of Israel, there were men who were identified as shepherds. Who are these shepherds of Israel? They were men who led the nation according to the teaching of Moses as disseminated through the priests and scribes. The leaders would be considered provincial governors, or national prime ministers. In some cases, they would act as judges. Examples of these shepherds would be the kings of Israel, and the southern portion of Israel called Judah. Whether the reference is to David, Solomon, Rehoboam, or any one of the rest of the kings of the nation, the nation generally went the direction of the kind of ruler this man was. Some were evil, like king Jeroboam. And some were good, like King Josiah. Either way, as the shepherds directed the affairs of Israel the people either suffered, or they were refreshed. 

In the New Testament, we come to a different aspect of the shepherd of God’s sheep. The shepherd of God is not a national ruler. He is a man who is identified, not by his nationality, but by his character and conduct. Both his character and conduct are the result of the work of God in the man. 

The position of the pastor is different from an institutional position of an organization. Rather, the position of a pastor is one of work. That is to say, the pastor does not hold an office per se, but his is a position of work based upon the teaching of Jesus Christ, and the spiritual needs of the saints. Like a man who lives with his livestock, the pastor’s work is the position. 

For example, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that they should love their leaders. Those leaders were those who “labor among you, and lead you in the Lord, and admonish you.” The work of leadership is the work of the pastors, and they are those who work among the church in the Word and in admonition. When Jesus came, He gave the supreme example of this in His own life. His leadership was characterized by fervent, industrious, and unceasing labor among the people. His work was that of prayer, teaching, public proclamation, and personal discipleship.

As we saw, it is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself Who is the basis for the work of the pastors of a church. Just like the words of the Old Testament, Jesus said that He is the good Shepherd, the writer of Hebrews said that He is the Shepherd of the sheep, and the Apostle Peter said that He is the Chief Shepherd. He performed His ministry in the way that Jacob led His flock by traveling at the speed of the weaker ones, and often giving them rest. In fact, it was said of the Lord’s ministry that:

19 “He will not quarrel, nor cry out;

Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.

20 “A battered reed He will not break off,

And a smoldering wick He will not put out,

Until He leads justice to victory.

21 “And in His name the Gentiles will hope.”  (Matthew 12:19-21, LSB)

Jesus Christ is, indeed, the Good Shepherd Who knows how far to push His sheep. He is tender, and firm. He knows the needs of each, and will direct His people to that end. Therefore, those who shepherd in His stead among the churches, must direct the sheep in the same way. This is what was expected from the rulers of Israel, and that is what is expected from the pastors of the church. 

Conclusion

The lower rung of society became the standard for the leaders of the churches. The shepherds of the Middle East were often smelly, dirty, and often the outcast of polite society. They were poor, and their existence was meager. Yet, this occupation became the standard for God’s men to lead His church, as well as His Messiah to lead His people also. 

The office of pastor, therefore, is the work itself. Presence with God’s people, often known as “sheep” in the Bible, required that the man be preoccupied with their welfare in the same way that a shepherd would be preoccupied with the welfare of his livestock. This preoccupation demanded that man pray, study, preach, counsel, live, in a way consistent with these expectations from God.