With so many phony and fraudulent "Pastors," "Reverends," etc. on Usenet
(Dave Raymond for example) it is incumbent upon those utilizing the titles
to know, understand, and exhibit the qualifications God has set for
leaders
in the Christian church. To whit:
Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife,
temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not
given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover
of money. (1 Timothy 3:2,3; NIV)
An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose
children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and
disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be
blameless - not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness,
not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable,
one
who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and
disciplined. (Titus 1:6-8; NIV)
Furthermore, it is necessary for the leaders of Christian churches to know
what their duties are. There have been many excellent guidelines written
by
various Christian authors. I present one by noted theologian John Owen.
May God bless,
Carl
my website -- http://www.nettally.com/saints/
my blog -- http://www.anniemayhem.com/cgi-bin/wordpress/
---
The Duty Of Pastors
by John Owen
The first and principal duty of a pastor is to feed the flock by diligent
preaching of the word. It is a promise relating to the new testament, that
God would give unto his church "pastors according to his own heart, which
should feed them with knowledge and understanding" (Jer. 3:15). This is by
teaching or preaching the word, and no otherwise. This feeding is of the
essence of the office of a pastor, as unto the exercise of it; so that he
who doth not, or can not, or will not feed the flock is no pastor,
whatever
outward call or work he may have in the church. The care of preaching the
gospel was committed to Peter, and in him unto all true pastors of the
church, under the name of "feeding" (John 21:15-17). According to the
example of the apostles, they are to free themselves from all
encumbrances,
that they may give themselves wholly unto the word and prayer (Acts
6:1-4).
Their work is "to labour in the word and doctrine (I Tim. 5:17); and
thereby
to "feed the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers"
(Acts
20:28): and it is that which is everywhere given them in charge.
This work and duty, therefore, as was said, is essential unto the office
of
a pastor. A man is a pastor unto them whom he feeds by pastoral teaching,
and to no more; and he that doth not so feed is no pastor. Nor is it
required only that he preach now and then at his leisure, but that he lay
aside all other employments, though lawful, all other duties in the
church,
as unto such a constant attendance on them as would divert him from this
work, that he give himself unto it-that he be in these things labouring to
the utmost of his ability. Without this no man will be able to give a
comfortable account of the pastoral office at the last day.
It is incumbent on [pastors] to preserve the truth or doctrine of the
gospel
received and professed in the church, and to defend it against all
opposition. This is one principal end of the ministry, one principal means
of the preservation of the faith once delivered unto the saints. This is
committed in an especial manner unto the pastors of the churches, as the
apostle frequently and emphatically repeats the charge of it unto Timothy,
and in him unto all to whom the dispensation of the word is committed (I
Tim. 1:3-4, 4:6-7, 16, 6:20; II Tim. 1:14, 2:25, 3:14-17). The same he
giveth in charge unto the elders of the church of Ephesus (Acts 20:28-31).
What he says of himself that the "glorious gospel of the blessed God was
committed unto his trust" (I Tim. 1:11) is true of all pastors of
churches,
according to their measure and call; and they should all aim at the
account
which he gives of his ministry herein: "I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith" (II Tim. 4:7). The church is
the
"pillar and ground of the truth;" and it is so principally in its
ministry.
And the sinful neglect of this duty is that which was the cause of most of
the pernicious heresies and errors that have infested and ruined the
church.
Those whose duty it was to preserve the doctrine of the gospel entire in
the
public profession of it have, many of them, "spoken perverse things, to
draw
away disciples after them." Bishops, presbyters, public teachers, have
been
the ringleaders in heresies. Wherefore this duty, especially at this time,
when the fundamental truths of the gospel are on all sides impugned, from
all sorts of adversaries, is in an especial manner to be attended unto.
Sundry things are required hereunto; as-(1) A clear, sound, comprehensive
knowledge of the entire doctrine of the gospel, attained by all means
useful
and commonly prescribed unto that end, especially by diligent study of the
Scripture, with fervent prayer for illumination and understanding. Men
cannot preserve that for others which they are ignorant of themselves.
Truth
may be lost by weakness as well as by wickedness. And the defect herein,
in
many, is deplorable. (2) Love of the truth which they have so learned and
comprehended. Unless we look on truth as a pearl, as that which is valued
at
any rate, bought with any price, as that which is better than all the
world,
we shall not endeavour its preservation with that diligence which is
required. Some are ready to part with truth at an easy rate, or to grow
indifferent about it; whereof we have multitudes of examples in the days
wherein we live. It were easy to give instances of sundry important
evangelical truths, which our forefathers in the faith contended for with
all earnestness, and were ready to seal with their blood, which are now
utterly disregarded and opposed, by some who pretend to succeed them in
their profession. If ministers have not a sense of that power of truth in
their own souls, and a taste of its goodness, the discharge of this duty
is
not to be expected from them. (3) A conscientious care and fear of giving
countenance or encouragement unto novel opinions, especially such as
oppose
any truth of whose power and efficacy experience hath been had among them
that believe. Vain curiosity, boldness in conjectures, and readiness to
vent
their own conceits have caused no small trouble and damage unto the
church.
(4) Learning and ability of mind to discern and disprove the oppositions
of
the adversaries of the truth, and thereby to stop their mouths and
convince
gainsayers. (5) The solid confirmation of the most important truths of the
gospel, and whereinto all others are resolved, in their teaching and
ministry. Men may and do ofttimes prejudice, yea, betray the truth, by the
weakness of their pleas for it. (6) A diligent watch over their own flocks
against the craft of seducers from without, or the springing up of any
hitter root of error among themselves. (7) A concurrent assistance with
the
elders and messengers of other churches with whom they are in communion,
in
the declaration of the faith which they all profess .
It is evident what learning, labour, study, pains, ability, and exercise
of
the rational faculties, are ordinarily required unto the right discharge
of
these duties; and where men may he useful to the church in other things,
but
are defective in these, it becomes them to walk and act both circumspectly
and humbly, frequently desiring and adhering unto the advices of them whom
God hath intrusted with more talents and greater abilities.
(John Owen, Works 16, pp. 74-75, 81-83).
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