Professional Responsibilities of a Pastor
Here’s a helpful article that was written by our brother and friend, Jon Powell. This article will be available in PDF in the BT Exclusives section of biblicalthought.com. Jon distinguishes the two basic types of spiritual leaders one will encounter: the pastor and the hireling. Jon says:
“Just as treasury agents spend significant time examining real currency in painstaking detail to be able to detect the counterfeit, we will focus on identifying the genuine article, a Biblical pastor. The counterfeit hireling will then be logically obvious.”
Jon goes on to provide some key distinctives of a Biblical pastor. This is a timely article in light of recent discussions here at biblicalthought.com on posts from Dr. Robert Morey, Stephen Macasil, and Drew Kerr. Let’s see what kind of discussion this article brings. May God be glorified as we seek His wisdom on such touchy topics! Here’s a snippet of Jon’s article:
Every profession is incumbent with particular rewards and specific responsibilities. Many focus on the rewards, yet few realize the need for the professional to conscientiously face his professional responsibilities. Failure to meet these responsibilities may ultimately result in demotion, termination or legal action. As an example, doctors face malpractice suits, lawyers are disbarred and corporate officers are fined and end up in prison.
Similarly, in the religious realm, the pastoral position carries significant expectations and duties. Since these professional responsibilities have been largely ignored in our day, the pastoral ‘career’ has fallen into disrepute. Moral scandals, financial embezzlement, laziness, incompetence and compromise have made the contemporary clergy into objects of disdain and jest. How many movies and TV shows mock the dignity of pastors by portraying him as a mumbling, anachronistic, effeminate geek, or a slick charlatan whose only motives are popularity, money and women? How has the position of being “God’s Anointed” fallen from so great a height?
The purpose of this essay is to provide some distinct Biblical guidelines that will help the believer discern a true spiritual leader from its aberrant imitations, thereby preventing apostasy, disillusionment, discouragement, hurt, and compromise in the life of the believer. We assert that true pastoral competency can be objectively identified and discussed from a Biblical… Click here to read the rest of this article.
Comments are open to anyone who desires to discuss this article.
5 Comments, Comment or Ping
Stephen Macasil
Thanks for another article Jon! I thought “Recognizing True Beauty” was all you had in you.
One question, I noticed that you included *deacons* in your general, loose usage of “pastor.” What did you mean by this? I see that you said that this was to include “almost anyone raised up into leadership in the church context,” but are you saying that deacons should be recognized according to the “key distinctives” you provided in the essay?
BTW - you nailed it!
While reading the key distinctives, I was praising God for my pastor; I saw him [my pastor] while reading…
Jan 3rd, 2008
Will
Thanks for this excellent article. Pastor: what an incredible calling; but, like those who lust after the Office of President of the United States, I would almost have to question the sanity of those who seek that office- but by the Grace of God they do. Am also fed-up with how the High and Mighty Media portray Christians in General, and the Clergy in particular. But God is not mocked no matter what, for they shall reap what they sow. Or, may I say, they will answer for what they show.
Jan 5th, 2008
Jon Powell
Stephen, interesting and accurate distinction on whether deacons should have the “full suite” of qualifications for what I was asserting for a pastor. Since the qualifications for a Biblical deacon are less stringent for an elder, so I would assert that the deacon should evidence and be developing some of the full set of qualifications. In my experience, especially in very large churches, the so-called ‘pastors’ are often less qualified than the Biblical deacons and I don’t think the real Biblical ‘target’ has been painted for them. Thus, the level of leadership and fruit is very compromised.
Jan 5th, 2008
Berean
Jon, thank you for this enlightening summary.
As a recently appointed trustee to our 2000 member church, I’ve become privy to the ‘behind the scenes’ financial goings ons. Manipulation, impropriety, and motives congruent with your definition of a pastoral ‘hireling’ is unfortunately what I’ve uncovered. The ministry motive is one of building the largest church in our state, with vast resources so that the senior pastor can retire early, maintain a arguably lavish lifestyle, replace himself with a proxy (his son) while continuing to control a growing ‘empire ministry’. The son was quietly removed several years ago for having an affair with the song leader. A cover up occurred and he’s being groomed to come back and take his father’s place (from my perspective as a proxy pastor controlled by his father). Big salary, vacation travel disguised as ministry, secret 2nd homes the church pays for and is not aware of, high church debt and bills (expensive taste), little to no missionary focus or support, watered down gospel and congregational immaturity. Just big building(s) and goals for more of the same. In a way, a family business and personal lifestyle supported by a congregation’s regular offerings.
My wife and I are in the process of resigning our post and membership, however I wanted to get your thoughts on approaching the Senior Pastor on these issues. There is an entire operation going on here that long precedes our membership and this entitlement agenda that won’t be compromised by ‘whistle blowers’. Close friends preceding me on the Trustee Board quietly left the church and those not ‘playing ball’ inevitably get slandered as they exit. I’m considering doing the same (quietly leaving) but open to Biblically based direction for being more confrontational. I know that efforts in this regard however won’t bear any immediate fruit (others have tried) but were dealt with pugnaciously.
Just a Jesus loving business owner trying to serve God, build HIS Kingdom and keep peace in my heart.
Thoughts? Thanks in advance,
Berean
Aug 3rd, 2008
Jon Powell
Dear Berean,
These situations are so sad, yet at the same time it causes righteous anger to rise up in those that care about the sheep. While not being a full-time, paid pastor and just a fellow (Berean) church-attender for years who has likewise struggled, I do have some input.
Could you prepare a one-page summary that contrasts the church’s top three violations and present their Scriptural refutation? It could be the start of Matt 18 for your discussions with the pastor one-on-one. Since he is probably so attached to the (temporary) “good thing” he has going, he won’t listen. So if you have some more brothers & sisters of your same mind, you could again approach him with the one-page summary and the additional people. If this Biblical approach does not work, I personally believe that you have discharged your duty and that God is moving you on.
After a similar situation, I actually resolved to attend a smaller, more relational church that could still “feed” me Biblically. Fortunately I have been VERY blessed in that area, but with the smaller churches you may have to sacrifice luxuries like elaborate, professional music and kids programs. But, hey, I have been much more equipped to fulfill God’s purpose in my life and my walk has accelerated as I’ve honored God in this area.
Hope that helps and we will be curious to know how it goes.
In Christ,
Jon
Aug 7th, 2008
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