Coach, trainer, cheerleader, guide, shepherd, counselor, encourager, standard bearer, trumpeter, dietitian, tailor, doctor, outfitter, mender, light bearer, administrator, confidant, watchman; these are some of the positions held by a pastor.
Each of these positions has a number of jobs attached to them.
Notice, most of these positions have authority. Pastors must lead, parishioners must follow.
PASSAGES...
Hebrews 13:17
(17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Acts 20:28
(28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Corinthians 16:15-16
(15) I beseech you, brethren, ye (know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
(16) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helps with us, and labors.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
(12) And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
(13) And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1 Timothy 5:17
(17) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
1 Peter 5:1-5
(1) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
(2) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
(3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
(4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.
(5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
Hebrews 13:7
(7) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
CONSIDER THIS...
If you have a pastor who leads Biblically, but you do not follow, repent and obey God. Your victory and the well being of your soul might hang in the balance. Remember what Paul said.
Colossians 1:28-29
(28) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
(29) Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
If you have a pastor that does not lead Biblically, find one and follow him. This could mean changing church leadership or changing churches. This is not an excuse for people who are malcontent by nature or are the self appointed judges of pastors. This is a directive to the humble, sincere, servant of God, who has a pastor that is evidently not leading in a way that is consistent with the word of God.
You should be able to dedicate yourself, your family, your friends, your money, your time, your energy, your abilities, to the work of your local church and the leading of the pastor.
If it is not good enough for your family, your friends, your money, your time, your energy, your abilities, then it is not good enough for you.
If the church will not be Biblical, then you need a new church.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
(14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believes with an infidel?
(16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
(18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
PASSAGES...
Hebrews 13:17
(17) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Acts 20:28
(28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Corinthians 16:15-16
(15) I beseech you, brethren, ye (know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
(16) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helps with us, and labors.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
(12) And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
(13) And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
1 Timothy 5:17
(17) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
1 Peter 5:1-5
(1) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
(2) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
(3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
(4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.
(5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
Hebrews 13:7
(7) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
CONSIDER THIS...
If you have a pastor who leads Biblically, but you do not follow, repent and obey God. Your victory and the well being of your soul might hang in the balance. Remember what Paul said.
Colossians 1:28-29
(28) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
(29) Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
If you have a pastor that does not lead Biblically, find one and follow him. This could mean changing church leadership or changing churches. This is not an excuse for people who are malcontent by nature or are the self appointed judges of pastors. This is a directive to the humble, sincere, servant of God, who has a pastor that is evidently not leading in a way that is consistent with the word of God.
You should be able to dedicate yourself, your family, your friends, your money, your time, your energy, your abilities, to the work of your local church and the leading of the pastor.
If it is not good enough for your family, your friends, your money, your time, your energy, your abilities, then it is not good enough for you.
If the church will not be Biblical, then you need a new church.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
(14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believes with an infidel?
(16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
(18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 7:1
(1) Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
