Wednesday Evening Bible Study: Pastorship
Todd MorganA pastor is a shepherd; someone who watches over our soul so that we can be spiritually healthy and successful. A pastor is not a babysitter, but he will help you and challenge you. You can give your tithes and offerings or not; it’s your choice. If you know to do it, then it’s your blessing.
The pastors want to help us, but we have to ask for that help. I caught myself today and called Pastor Paine about something that really should have gone through him. And he said that he appreciated that I’d taken steps to do better the next time.
The world doesn’t understand pastorship; they’ve got it all mixed up.
- And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
That’s something that we can trust is of God. Pastors are ordained of God, not elected by men. They follow God, not the money.
We need to pray and support the pastorship; we don’t know the half of what they deal with on a daily basis. We need to make it easy for them. We shouldn’t be “high-maintenance” spiritually. But that doesn’t mean that we just stay out of their way. We should want to learn from them and draw from what they know. We don’t worship the man, but we honor and respect them.
A lot of times people are afraid of authority, because the flesh doesn’t like authority.
- And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
- For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
- 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:
- 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;
- But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
- 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.
When you’re in church, watch the pastors. Watch their example. Ask yourself, “why did Pastor Paine do that?” I’m not saying they’re perfect, but there are a lot things you can pick up by watching them. They have the experience, the knowledge, and understanding that God gives them, and we can learn from that.
There’s church-work and there’s the work of the church. We have to do a certain amount of church-work to be good stewards, but the most important thing is doing the work of the church.
It is important to establish a pattern of good works. Look at what you’ve done that has been successful, and pattern your actions after that example.
There’s a definite framework and structure of the ministry; it’s not all helter-skelter. Everyone has a part to play in the ministry; everyone has a place in the overall structure.
- 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:
- 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;
- Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
- And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
- Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
- Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
In those documentaries in Africa they show the attacking animal looking for the weaker animals who can’t stay with the pack. When you’re in the pack, you’re stronger. We can liken that to the unity of the fellowship. When you stray out on your own, you’re weak. So Pastors are like shepherds, looking after the flock and gathering up those who have wandered astray.
When you subject yourself to the pastorship, you have to be humble. Don’t be afraid of rebuke; we all fall short; we all get rebuked. But the humble person can learn from instruction. If your brother says something that totally convicts you, then it’s good to recognize the holy ghost and learn from it.
- But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- 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.
- Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
When we see a lack of communication with the pastors, we need to pick up the pace. If we see a lack of communicate in some thing, it’s important to get it right the next time around. It takes effort; it takes sacrifice; but effective communication is worth it. Communication makes for a tight-knit group.
It’s easy to criticize leadership; Satan will help you with that. But it’s far more worthwhile to step up and make things better, by doing your part and praying for the rest. It’s important to communicate ahead-of-time, to plan ahead.
The flesh doesn’t like the phrase “rule over you,” but that’s where you have to have a humble heart. Everything God does is to help us, and the pastors are there to make things better, not worse. The pastors love hearing from you, but they’re not going to beg you to communicate.
- Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
- For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
We don’t worship a man, but we respect and honor the man of God. They’re not asking us to do anything they aren’t doing; they set the example.
If the pastor doesn’t hear from you, he’s going to wonder how you’re doing.
- Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
- Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
- For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
- For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
- Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
- For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
- Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
It says “let every soul be subject…” Every soul; every one of us is subject to that power, the authority in leadership that is given to them by God. So don’t be afraid; just do good. The pastors see you developing in the ministry, and it encourages them. But you still need to communicate. Send an email or something. Shake their hand when you walk in the room. Their whole concern is the care of the churches; we just have to do our part. When we show up for fellowship, it’s important to both give and receive.