Discipleship

What I expect from you and what you can expect from me as a Pastor

One of the primary reasons I feel compelled to address this subject is because of the tension that can arise in church life when the pastor and the people he is called to serve have differing views on what it means to be a pastor.

I use the word Pastor very carefully because it means different things to different people. I see it as a role I function in now and not as a title of office or an official designation.

E.M. Bounds said “The preacher is not a professional man; his ministry is not a profession; it is a divine institution, a divine devotion.”

John Piper adds “The aims of our ministry are eternal and spiritual. They are not shared by any of the professions. Our first business is to pant after God in prayer. Our business is to weep over sins…our business is to strain forward to the holiness of Christ and the prize of the upward call of God … to pummel our bodies and subdue them lest we be cast away … to deny ourselves and to take up the blood spattered cross daily. “

David W. Wiersbe provides a helpful and insightful list of duties:

Nourishing – Providing a balanced and healthy diet is a primary shepherding responsibility. God’s people must be fed with the truths of His Word, and our preaching should center on Jesus Christ.

Protecting – Protecting a flock from false doctrine and wolves in sheep’s clothing is not an easy task…we have no choice. This involves proclaiming the truth and warning against what is wrong.

Seeking – Wandering sheep must be sought and found.

Sacrificing – A shepherd (like Jesus) must be willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of the sheep.

Knowing – Know the sheep.

Model Integrity – A pastor should be a person others can imitate.

Managing – Managerial skills are necessary.

Healing – Life’s wounds are inflicted in many ways. A pastor who knows his people can often tell there is a problem just by looking into someone’s face.

Loving – Good relationships.

Leading – Set the pace.

Uniting – A shepherd is responsible for keeping the flock together

The following guidelines detail my expectations from those whom I Pastor and what you can expect from me as a Pastor.

A Biblical Understanding of a healthy Church-Pastor Relationship

• Most importantly, you and I need to remember that Jesus Christ is Lord of the church, not the pastor or a church committee (Phil 2:11; Rom 10:9; Col 1:15- 20; Eph 1:20-23).

• Good pastor-church relationships occur within churches in which God’s purposes for the Church are the primary focus. You and I work together in accomplishing such purposes as worship, fellowship, discipleship and teaching, and mission (Acts 2:42-44; 2 Kgs 17:35-39; Matt 28:17-20)

• As we work together for the purposes of God, we serve God and each other. We work for God’s glory, not our own. So, both you and I are to have servant attitudes and should seek to serve each other. (1 Pet 4:10-11, Col 3:17; John 13:14-16)

• All service is to be characterised by love. Pastors are to act in love towards the church, while churches are to love their pastors. This love should show the marks of genuine love, such as patience, gentleness, kindness and other-centredness (1 Pet 4:8; Rom 12:9-10, Eph 3:1-3, 15-16; 1 Cor 13:4-7; Col 3:14, Jn 13:34-5).

• We serve God and each other with the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. No gifts are to be despised, nor is anyone to be expected to have all the gifts. A pastor is only one member of the Body of Christ and should not be expected to do everything or to be gifted in every area. I will encourage you to use your gifts as well (1 Pet 4:10; Rom 12:3-8; Eph 4:7-13, 1 Cor 12:1-30).

• Pastors and other church leaders are to be treated with respect and honour. Since we have been called to lead, the church needs to allow us to do so. Pastors also should be paid a fair and adequate wage for work, and are not to have their desire to serve God taken advantage of by unfair or inadequate pay conditions (1 Tim 5:17-18, 1 Thess 5:12-13, Heb 13:17).

• Pastors and other leaders are to respond to this respect by leading responsibly and with godly integrity. Pastors and leaders are to set an example in godliness. They are also to remember that the pastor-church relationship is to be one of mutual submission(Heb 13:18; 1 Tim 4:6-16; Eph 5:21).

• You and I should also show support for each other’s service for the Lord by praying for each other and encouraging each other. You are to pray for and encourage me, I am to encourage those I pastorand prioritise prayer (Eph 3:13-18; 6:18-19, Heb 10:24-25; 13:18; Rom 15:30-32, 2 Cor 13:7-9; 1 Thess 5:11).

• Church-pastor relationships which are characterised by love, respect and service will avoid unnecessary conflict. However, conflict is inevitable in any relationship. Conflict in the church-pastor relationship should be dealt with in a loving and respectful fashion, following the guidelines set out by Jesus, such as first approaching those concerned in private, whether they are pastors or other church members (Matt 18:15-20). Also, any accusation against a leader needs solid evidence before being acted upon (1 Tim 5:19).

• Finally, Churches and pastors are to show forgiveness towards each other, remembering that none are yet perfect, even pastors and leaders, and that we are all to strive to know Christ better and become more like him everyday (Phil 3:7-17; Rom 3:22-24; Matt 18:35; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13).

What I expect from you and what you can expect from me as a Pastor

One of the primary reasons I feel compelled to address this subject is because of the tension that can arise in church life when the pastor and the people he is called to serve have differing views on what it means to be a pastor.

I use the word Pastor very carefully because it means different things to different people. I see it as a role I function in now and not as a title of office or an official designation.

E.M. Bounds said “The preacher is not a professional man; his ministry is not a profession; it is a divine institution, a divine devotion.”

John Piper adds “The aims of our ministry are eternal and spiritual. They are not shared by any of the professions. Our first business is to pant after God in prayer. Our business is to weep over sins…our business is to strain forward to the holiness of Christ and the prize of the upward call of God … to pummel our bodies and subdue them lest we be cast away … to deny ourselves and to take up the blood spattered cross daily. ”

David W. Wiersbe provides a helpful and insightful list of duties:

Nourishing – Providing a balanced and healthy diet is a primary shepherding responsibility. God’s people must be fed with the truths of His Word, and our preaching should center on Jesus Christ.

Protecting – Protecting a flock from false doctrine and wolves in sheep’s clothing is not an easy task…we have no choice. This involves proclaiming the truth and warning against what is wrong.

Seeking – Wandering sheep must be sought and found.

Sacrificing – A shepherd (like Jesus) must be willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of the sheep.

Knowing – Know the sheep.

Model Integrity – A pastor should be a person others can imitate.

Managing – Managerial skills are necessary.

Healing – Life’s wounds are inflicted in many ways. A pastor who knows his people can often tell there is a problem just by looking into someone’s face.

Loving – Good relationships.

Leading – Set the pace.

Uniting – A shepherd is responsible for keeping the flock together

The following guidelines detail my expectations from those whom I Pastor and what you can expect from me as a Pastor.

A Biblical Understanding of a healthy Church-Pastor Relationship

• Most importantly, you and I need to remember that Jesus Christ is Lord of the church, not the pastor or a church committee (Phil 2:11; Rom 10:9; Col 1:15- 20; Eph 1:20-23).
• Good pastor-church relationships occur within churches in which God’s purposes for the Church are the primary focus. You and I work together in accomplishing such purposes as worship, fellowship, discipleship and teaching, and mission (Acts 2:42-44; 2 Kgs 17:35-39; Matt 28:17-20)
• As we work together for the purposes of God, we serve God and each other. We work for God’s glory, not our own. So, both you and I are to have servant attitudes and should seek to serve each other. (1 Pet 4:10-11, Col 3:17; John 13:14-16)
• All service is to be characterised by love. Pastors are to act in love towards the church, while churches are to love their pastors. This love should show the marks of genuine love, such as patience, gentleness, kindness and other-centredness (1 Pet 4:8; Rom 12:9-10, Eph 3:1-3, 15-16; 1 Cor 13:4-7; Col 3:14, Jn 13:34-5).
• We serve God and each other with the gifts given by the Holy Spirit. No gifts are to be despised, nor is anyone to be expected to have all the gifts. A pastor is only one member of the Body of Christ and should not be expected to do everything or to be gifted in every area. I will encourage you to use your gifts as well (1 Pet 4:10; Rom 12:3-8; Eph 4:7-13, 1 Cor 12:1-30).
• Pastors and other church leaders are to be treated with respect and honour. Since we have been called to lead, the church needs to allow us to do so. Pastors also should be paid a fair and adequate wage for work, and are not to have their desire to serve God taken advantage of by unfair or inadequate pay conditions (1 Tim 5:17-18, 1 Thess 5:12-13, Heb 13:17).
• Pastors and other leaders are to respond to this respect by leading responsibly and with godly integrity. Pastors and leaders are to set an example in godliness. They are also to remember that the pastor-church relationship is to be one of mutual submission(Heb 13:18; 1 Tim 4:6-16; Eph 5:21).
• You and I should also show support for each other’s service for the Lord by praying for each other and encouraging each other. You are to pray for and encourage me, I am to encourage those I pastorand prioritise prayer (Eph 3:13-18; 6:18-19, Heb 10:24-25; 13:18; Rom 15:30-32, 2 Cor 13:7-9; 1 Thess 5:11).
• Church-pastor relationships which are characterised by love, respect and service will avoid unnecessary conflict. However, conflict is inevitable in any relationship. Conflict in the church-pastor relationship should be dealt with in a loving and respectful fashion, following the guidelines set out by Jesus, such as first approaching those concerned in private, whether they are pastors or other church members (Matt 18:15-20). Also, any accusation against a leader needs solid evidence before being acted upon (1 Tim 5:19).
• Finally, Churches and pastors are to show forgiveness towards each other, remembering that none are yet perfect, even pastors and leaders, and that we are all to strive to know Christ better and become more like him everyday (Phil 3:7-17; Rom 3:22-24; Matt 18:35; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13).