What do Elders (Pastors) do?: Part 2

A pastor approaches his responsibilities with many different experiences, abilities, and priorities. No two pastors are alike, and, at the same time, each pastor stands holding the same Bible. If you look across the churches, their commonalities exceed their differences, though they are led by different men. Each church is filled with various needs and congregations that reflect their heritage, culture, and geography. There are older congregations that require more physical care and younger congregations that need more training. There are singles, families, urban areas, rural locations, different overseers and yet, the same Bible. Therefore, given these differences, let’s look at the same Bible and list some tasks that rest on the office of elder.

In no particular order of priority, but in category we will outline shepherding, overseeing, and disciple-making. Those categories will be helpful to outline tasks/care, but they equally overlap in function. Disciple-making might seem odd, but at the basis, each believer is called to make disciples. Therefore, this is linked with the office and personal commission from the Lord.

We will take these three categories (shepherd, oversee, disciple-making) in three separate blogs. Here is part two.

Oversee

Lead the church by example

Pastors are not CEOs who live a life that is different than the decisions they make. Under-shepherds lead by example in belief and conduct. Elders live the truth they teach.

1 Timothy 4:11–13

[11] Command and teach these things.[12] Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.[13] Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Paul again encourages Timothy to command and teach good doctrine. Paul doesn’t stop there-- he encourages Timothy to be a complete example. Leadership in the church is by example. No pastor can live a separate life from their teaching or members.

Lead from a heart for the Lord

Jeremiah 3:15

[15] “‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

God promised to provide leaders that were after His own heart. Pastors don’t lead others toward good things; they lead people to Christ. It is impossible to lead people to Christ if your heart is not captivated by Christ. Maybe the CEO of Starbucks can lead others and hate coffee. It is possible for the leaders of Bojangles to hate biscuits. However, it is impossible for an elder to lead others to Christ and not love Him singularly.

Lead from the Word for each decision

Leaders are bound to make decisions. Each decision will make some happy and others upset. Elders collectively put things on the church calendar that will be helpful for the faith of the members. They work to remove things that are unhelpful. Elders select the songs or affirm what is gospel rich music for services. Each pastor ensures the Word is central to the worship gatherings. The Word is necessary for decision making that honors God. Although the Word doesn’t speak to every decision’s content, it is the source of truth and wisdom to shape the heart and motive behind every decision.

Lead from an accountable end goal

Every believer will have to render an account to God for their life.

Romans 14:12

[12] So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

In addition to every believer’s account to God (not as replacement), elders must render an account to those under their care.

Hebrews 13:17

[17] Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. 

Pastors are accountable to God for those that they are charged to keep watch over their souls. God has assigned members to the care of pastors. Elders provide soul care for those that follow their example and teaching. In the end, over keeping people happy or in the good opinion of followers, an elder desires to please the Lord and render a good account to Him. Great leaders seek to please the Lord and trust Him to shape the hearts of others.

-Pastor John Richardson