PASTORAL MINISTRY - the Office of the Pastor

PASTORAL ministry is rarely a subject of preaching. It is not a subject of discussion

unless a crisis - a critical point - occurs in a church. And when a crisis situation
occurs often instead of dealing with the situation - the authority of the Pastor is
questioned - the church is sidetrack. Those involved begin to question the decision &
leadership of the Pastor.

There is therefore a need for the church to understand PASTORAL ministry &
authority from the word of God objectively not on the basis of a crisis situation

We do not want to be wrong on this important subject.

I• Key Passages Relating to Pastoral Ministry:

A• Old Testament

Numbers 27:15-17
Numbers 27:15 (KJV) And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,
Numbers 27:16 (KJV) Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over
the congregation,
Numbers 27:17 (KJV) Which may go out before them, and which may go in before
them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the
congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

• in his prayer, Moses recognizes the right of God over his people.
• God is the shepherd of His people but they also need a human leader, God’s
representative to exercise the shepherding care and concern.
• v.16 informs us that it is God who does the choosing of his human representative.
• the human representative is not chosen by the people but by the Lord himself.
• v.17 - is about the function of the chosen leader

“go out,” and “go in”) is a description of the conduct of men in every-day life
(Deu 28:6; Deu 31:2; Jos 14:11). ‫“( ו ְ ֵה ִביא ה ֹו ִציא‬lead out,” and “bring in”) signifies
the superintendence of the affairs of the nation, and is founded upon the
figure of a shepherd.” (Keil & Delitzchs)

“refer to the vigorous prosecution of daily business, and the fatigues of active service.”
(Pulpit Commentary)

verse 16- set a man - appoint (YLT) - see Titus 1:5 to set is to ordain
1• That the person ordained should be chosen of God for his work - v.

2• The ordination should be accompanied with the imposition of hands.

v. 18 ‘lay thine han upon him’
3• That the ordination should include a charge to the ordained. v. 19 ‘ give him a
charge in their sight’

4• That the ordination should be conducted in the presence of the people. v. 19, 22

5• The ordination should confer honour upon the person ordained. V.20 ‘thou shall
put some of thine honour upon him’
- that the people be obedient to the Lord thru Him - see verse 21
- Note both he & the people - the leader is expected to be obedient as the
people are expected to obey.
- Good leaders are good followers
- Leaders are not exempted from obedience.
-
6• That a person so chosen of God, should seek special direction from Him, and
seeking, shall obtain it. V. 23 ‘as the Lord commanded’

Psalms 23:1-6
Psalms 23:1 (KJV) A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalms 23:2 (KJV) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me
beside the still waters.
Psalms 23:3 (KJV) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Psalms 23:4 (KJV) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalms 23:5 (KJV) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psalms 23:6 (KJV) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

In the New Testament Jesus is pictured as Shepherd

1) Hebrews 13:20 - the Great Shepherd (a shepherd of power) - in view of his
resurrection
2) 1 Peter 5:4 - the Chief Shepherd -(a shepherd of glory) - in view of his Second
Advent
3) John 10:11- the Good Shepherd - (a shepherd of love) - demonstrated by his
death

• God’s Shepherding care extents to all areas of life

“as a shepherd, he would make all needful provision for his flock, and evince all proper care
for it. The words shall not want, as applied to the psalmist, would embrace everything that
could be a proper object of desire, whether temporal or spiritual; whether pertaining to the
body or the soul; whether having reference to time or to eternity. (Barnes)
● Needful provisions
1)• the need of nourishment (body, mind, spirit)
2)• the need for refreshment
3)• the need of rest
4)• the need of guidance
5)• the need of restoration
6)• the need for comfort of protection

• Under God’s Shepherding care the sheep will not lack but will surely live an
abundant life.
● 3 fold picture of abundant life
1)• green pastures v.2 - God leads his flock into rest
2)• still waters v.2 - God guides his flock into work
3)• paths of righteousness v.3 - guide leads his flock thru sorrow
- includes valleys ( he is in control of the valleys )

• Shepherd-sheep model of the Christian Ministry

• The shepherd must have a basic understanding of the nature & nature of the
sheep.
● Sheep-like weakness & infirmities
1) Defective vision
- Estimated maximum distance of the sheep’s effective sight is no more
than 15 yards
- A pitiful lack of spiritual insight and foresight renders all Christians
helpless victims of teachers of false doctrine.
- Paul called them ‘wolves’ - Acts 20:29
- Jesus named them as ‘ravening wolves’ - Matthew 7:15 (Matthew 10:16;
Luke 10:3)
2) Timidity -
“ they refuse to lie down unless they are free from fear. . . to be at rest there must be
a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension & aggravation. . .it is only the
sheepman himself who can provide release from these anxieties” (Eugene Stone - The
Ministry of Shepherding - a study of practical practice - page 13)

● Rod
- usually is a short stick less than 1 metre in length.
- Sometimes translated as sceptre.
- It speaks of the authority over his flock.
- It was use to fight off wild beast that would come against the sheep.
- Also to discipline a sheep who was prone to wander

● Staff
 - a long stick that often has a hook on it
- Sometimes called a stay ( Psalms 18:18) or a walking stick to help ensure solid
footing in difficult places.
- Used for rescuing a sheep from a thicket
- Because of its height it could be seen from a distance and could be a guide to
the sheep as well.

Proverbs 27:23
Proverbs 27:23 (KJV) Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to
thy herds.

Pastor-Shepherd must not only number our flocks

but -
1.) Must look into their condition;
2.) See how they are tended;
3.) When, and with what, and in what proportion, they are fed

Jeremiah 10:21
Jeremiah 10:21 (KJV) For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the
LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

Jeremiah 23:1-4
Jeremiah 23:1 (KJV) Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of
my pasture! saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:2 (KJV) Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors
that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have
not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:3 (KJV) And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries
whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall
be fruitful and increase.
Jeremiah 23:4 (KJV) And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them:
and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the
LORD.

B. New Testament

Ephesians 4:11-16
Ephesians 4:11 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Ephesians 4:12 (KJV) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Ephesians 4:13 (KJV) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness
of Christ:
Ephesians 4:14 (KJV) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Ephesians 4:15 (KJV) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ:
Ephesians 4:16 (KJV) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and
compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in
the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in
love.

Acts 20:28:31
Acts 20:28 (KJV) 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.
Acts 20:29 (KJV) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter
in among you, not sparing the flock.
Acts 20:30 (KJV) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them.
Acts 20:31 (KJV) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I
ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

1 Timothy 5:17-21
1 Timothy 5:17 (KJV) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double
honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 5:18 (KJV) For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that
treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
1 Timothy 5:19 (KJV) Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or
three witnesses.
1 Timothy 5:20 (KJV) Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
1 Timothy 5:21 (KJV) I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another,
doing nothing by partiality.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUE SHEPHERDS

A. Feeding the Sheep

Ezekiel 34:2 (KJV) Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel,
prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds;
 Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the
shepherds feed the flocks?

Ezekiel 34:13 (KJV) And I will bring them out from the people, and gather
them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them
upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of
the country.

Ezekiel 34:14 (KJV) I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high
mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and
in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
Ezekiel 34:15 (KJV) I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down,
saith the Lord GOD.

● The word ‘shepherd’ or ‘pastor’ literally means ‘the one who feeds’.

1. Feeding involves rightly dividing the word

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

• it is critical that those who would be pastors become familiar with the scriptures.
The Word of God (not the pastor’s opinion is food (Matthew 4:4). The more we
preach the faithful Word (Titus 1:9), the more substance and spiritual nutrition our
preaching contains.

Note on rightly dividing:

rightly dividing is not about separating or segregating 1 part of the bible to another part of
the bible. Dispensationalism divides the bible into 7 different dispensations.

rightly dividing - Greek- ὀρθοτομέω - orthotomeō - to disect or expound correctly the divine
message.
Text: -
Luke 12:13 (KJV) And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that
he divide the inheritance with me.
Luke 22:17 (KJV) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it
among yourselves:

“ What is meant here is not dividing scripture from scripture but teaching scripture
accurately” [ Vines Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words - art.divide]

[Analytical/Literal N.T] -teaching accurately or interpreting correctly

[Amplified Bible]- rightly handling and skillfully teaching

Mark 6:41 (KJV) And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to
heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before
them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.

• The minister of the gospel is to make a proper distribution of the word of truth:
Milk to the babes
Strong milk to the full grown
Comfort to the disconsolate
Rebuke or reproof to the irregular or careless

NASB - accurately handling the word of truth ( word of truth - refers to the gospel -ephesians
1:13; 1 Peter 1:24,26:

3 things we do when we rightly divide:

1. We make a proper distinction - this is contrasting the things that differ

-examples of distinctions:

a. Salvation & reward (failure to distinguish between these 2 leads to 2 extremes

1) anti- nomianism. 2) legalism
b. Law & grace ( law says do this - grace says it is done
c. kingdom of grace & the kingdom of glory (Hebrews 4:16; Mat 25:31)
d. 1st advent & the 2nd advent (Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 1:11)
e. Believers & professors
f. The imputed righteousness in justification & the imparted righteousness in
sanctification
2. we show the concordance - correspondence the things that are similar

3. we illustrate the likeness - congruity of the things that are the same
- the quality of agreement and appropriateness. How do they fit together.
- Congruity includes coherence, consistency & symmetry

2. Proper feeding involves a balance diet:

Psalms 85:10 (KJV) Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace
have kissed each other.
• if the sheep are to be healthy they need a balanced diet to feed on them.
• an imbalanced diet will result in malnutrition.
• they need the balance of the word and Spirit
- word without the Spirit is fanaticism
- spirit without the word is spiritism
• they need the balance the theoretical and the practical
• see the examples of Paul's letters
- Romans 1-11 doctrine 12-16 practice
- Ephesians 1-3 doctrine 4-6 practice

3. Proper feeding will bring rest to the sheep

Ezekiel 34:14 (KJV) I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains
of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture
shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
Ezekiel 34:15 (KJV) I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the
Lord GOD.

• sheep that are hungry are restless

• sheep that are not satisfied do not lie down
• good shepherd makes the sheep lie down bt providing a green pasture

4. Proper feeding will produce healthy reproductive sheep

Jeremiah 23:3 (KJV) And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries
whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall
be fruitful and increase.
Jeremiah 23:4 (KJV) And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them:
and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the
LORD.

• healthy sheep will be fruitful & increase

• if sheep (church members are not reproducing - no ministry involvement) it only
means they are not healthy or they are sick
• it is important to know the condition of the flock (Proverbs 27:23)

5. proper feeding depends upon the Pastor being fed

1 Timothy 4:16 (KJV) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in
them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

The Minister's self watch:

A. The minister should first be sure that he is a saved person

- a teacher of the gospel must first be a partaker of it.
- Surgeon said ‘if he is not called to holiness he certainly is not called to the
ministry’ ( Lectures to my Student - page 3)
- when thirsting souls come to ‘graceless ministry’ they are ready to perish. It is
better to abolish pulpit than to fill it with men who have no experience of the
gospel they teach.
- be not like a Pharisee who tell others what they themselves are not
- See Matthew 23
B. The minister should be vigorous in piety:
- He is content to be equal to the rank file in the church. He must be mature &
advance believer,
 - Spurgeon - ‘ his pulse of vital godliness must beat strongly and regularly; his
eye of faith must be bright; his foot ot resolution must be firm; his hand of
activity must be quick; his whole inner man must be in highest degree of
sanity’ ( Lectures - page 8)
- Spurgeon - The fear of the Lord must teach the minister wisdom or is barred
from the pastorate; the grace of God must mature his spirit or he had better
tarry till power be given him from on high’ (ibid)
- Question - What if a minister grossly sinned, should he be readily restored to
the pulpit?
- Answer - ‘ when a preacher grossly sinned, he should never again open his
lips in the great congregation until his repentance is as notorious as his sin’
(Lectures - page 9)
- As ministers our whole pastoral life will be affected by the vigour of our piety.
If our zeal grows dull, we will not pray well in the pulpit. When our souls
become lean our hearers will feel our barrenness
- If our piety will not be rigorous - we have a withering influence and our sheep
will suffer more or less.

C. Let the minister take care that his personal character agrees in all respects with
his ministry.

Ministers should not preach well and then live badly - we should not be priests in the
altar & sons of Belial outside the Tabernacle. - ministers should not be 2 faced
because will not believed us if our doctrines & practices are contradictory
1. We tell them to pray yet we do not pray
2. We tell them to give and we do not give
3. We tell them to win souls and we ourselves do not
Our character must be more persuasive than our speech. It is a horrible thing to be
an inconsistent minister.
● Like Moses a man mighty in word & in deed - Acts 7:22
● Like Jesus we must be mighty in word & in deed ( Luke 24:19)
Acts 1:1 - to do & to teach - doing and teaching must be aligned
● A minister of Christ should have his tongue, and his heart and his hand agree
● Avoid little debts, unpunctuality, gossiping, petty quarrels, and little vices
● Even in recreation remember that you are a minister

B. Leading by Example:

1 Peter 5:2 (KJV) 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;
1 Peter 5:3 (KJV) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to
the flock.

1. Leading is the opposite of driving

 Genesis 33:13 (KJV) And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the
children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if
men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.
● Sheep should not be driven instead they should be led
● In driving the whip is used - in leading the shepherd’s staff is used for them to
come after the shepherd

2. Leading involves providing example the people should follow:

Philippians 3:17 (KJV) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them
which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Ensample - Greek word is ‘tupos’ - a model or a pattern

Hebrews 13:7 ‘. . . whose faith follow. . .’

3. leading involves going the way before the people.

John 10:4 (KJV) And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before
them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Notice- he goeth before them

‘. . . a true pastor is, . . . gives them a good example: he not only preaches, but
he lives, the truth of the Gospel; he enters into the depths of the salvation of
God; and, having thus explored the path, he knows how to lead those who are
entrusted to his care into the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of peace’
(Adams Clarke on John 10:4)

4. Leading involves maintaining a good report or testimony inside & outside the
church

1 Timothy 3:7 (KJV) Moreover he must have a good report of them which are
without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
good report - good testimony (Darby) well thought of bt outsiders (Esv)

Acts 6:3 (KJV) Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest
report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
‘No matter how he preaches or prays; no matter how orthodox, learned, or apparently
devout he may be, all his efforts will be in vain unless they regard him as a man of
incorruptible integrity. ‘ (Barnes )

C. Watching over the flock

Acts 20:28 (KJV) 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.
Acts 20:31 (KJV) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I
ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

• overseer is one equivalent name for a pastor

• over seeing is one of the task of a minister of God
• overseeing includes the work of feeding and warning

2 Timothy 4:5 (KJV) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of
an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

watch - to stay awake at night / vigil

Make full proof - plērophoreō -

‘to furnish full evidence of what is the design of the Christian ministry, and of what it
is adapted to accomplish, ( Barnes)

D. Reaching out and delivering the need:

The pastor-shepherd must concerned about all areas of the sheep’s n ofeed:

1. Physical needs - like healthy, food, clothing, shelter

2. Emotional needs- counselling in areas of addiction, personal stability, grief, &

stress related issues

3. Financial needs- includes issues of provisions, prosperity, employment &

future planning

4. Spiritual needs - includes spiritual growth & ministry,family success &

relationships between God & man

● The shepherd pastor is to be proactive in ministering to the needs of his flock

● The pastor must be able to give wise counsel - Isaiah 1:26

E. Maturing the flock

1. Maturing involves discipling & correcting

Titus 2:15 (KJV) These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.
Let no man despise thee.
 ● Shepherds must not be able to comfront people in areas of lifestyle. If not
they will live bearing these problems for a long time

2. Maturing involves discipleship

Matthew 28:20 (KJV) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world. Amen.
● We are not only to win people to Christ. Those converts must be discipled -
‘teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.

3. Maturing involves bringing them into their place in the ministry

Ephesians 4:11 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and
some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Ephesians 4:12 (KJV) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

F. Training & Raising up leaders

2 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others
also.

1. Shepherds must multiply their ministry in others

● Exodus 18:21 (KJV) Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able
men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such
over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties,
and rulers of tens:
● Exodus 18:22 (KJV) And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall
be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter
they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the
burden with thee.
● Exodus 18:23 (KJV) If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so,
then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their
place in peace.

● Pastor's are to invest themselves in the faithful ones who will eventually be
able to share the ministry load with them

2. Shepherds must be able to identify leaders

Exodus 18:21 (KJV) Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able
men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such
over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties,
and rulers of tens:
 3. Shepherds must impart their vision to others
Philippians 2:20 (KJV) For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your
state.
● Pastors need like-minded leaders who will naturally give the same care.
● He must be able to impart his vision, philosophy of ministry & judgement to
potential leaders

4. Shepherds must be able to release others

● They should not be jealous of the others in the church who were gifted by
God. - only by doing so he can have a strong team.
● Senior pastors should be confident in God’s placement of them in their role.