The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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PASTOR (Eph. 4:11)
Purpose: Nurture
Definition: “The special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to
assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers.” 36
Description: “Pastor” is the Latin word for shepherd. Shepherd means “one who feeds or
guides the sheep.” In the Old Testament the priests were referred to as “shepherds” by the latter
prophets (Jer. 3:14-15; 23:1-4; Zech. 10:1-3). Jesus is the “Great Shepherd” (Heb. 13:20).
The pastor is one who maintains the life and health of the body by feeding and cleansing it and
preserving its vigor and vitality. He is one who sees to it that the church is functioning properly
(i.e. that the members are being cared for and that discipline is exercised when needed).
While the job of the evangelist is for the establishment of the churches, the ministry for the
pastor is the work of each local congregation. The evangelist is the “obstetrician” who gives birth,
while the pastor is the “pediatrician” who helps with the development and growth.
Pastor or shepherd is also called “elder” and “bishop” or “overseer.” Elder refers to the
person’s position in the local congregation or Christian community, bishop refers to his
responsibility of having “oversight” of the affairs of the community, and pastor speaks of his role
of shepherding or caring for the flocks by feeding it.
Elders are representative in that they represent the church when men are selected for special
ministries through the “laying on of hands” (I Tim. 4:14; 5:22; II Tim. 1:6). The terms elder and
bishop is used interchangeably (Acts 20:17-18).
Ministry:
1. To Lead --His people are sheep who are to be lead (Ps. 23), not cattle that need to be
driven. His is to “go before” them showing them the way (Jn. 10:4). Like the “Great Shepherd”
he shall “gather the lambs in his arms and carry them close to his heart and gently lead those that
have young” (Isa. 40:11).
The pastor as leader must know how to rule his own household before he is to rule God’s
house (I Tim. 3:4-5). If he rules well he is to be highly respected and paid more (I Tim. 5:17).