What do Elders (Pastors) do?: Part 3

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 three.

Disciple-making

Matthew 28:18–20

[18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.[19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,[20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Elders seek to help people obey the Lord

From the pulpit to the coffee shop an elder seeks to help other people obey the Lord. The pastor’s role is one that is bound to and by teaching. Therefore, it makes good sense that pastors seek to help people obey all that Christ has commanded. More than teachers of content, each elder must work to make disciples that desire to follow Christ in obedience. Disciple-making is not complete from the pulpit teaching; it must also happen in smaller groups and in relationship. Without inspection, a pastor cannot ensure that he is personally making disciples.

Elders make disciples that make disciples

It is not enough that pastors take the time to make disciples. They must make disciples that then go on to make other disciples.

2 Timothy 2:2

[2] and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Each pastor, like every person, has a life that is just a vapor. Who will be the next leader or faithful encourager? Every pastor must live as one passing the baton of faith. Elders entrust (disciple by investment) the gospel into the lives of others who will teach others to obey. The line of leaders continues on by the sure work of the Lord and intentional investment of disciple-making leaders.

Elders disciple those in their home

One qualification in the list of Titus is to manage their homes well. Now management is more than to make sure that people are fed and dressed, although that is helpful and necessary. Pastors must seek to disciple those in their homes by godly example and faithful investment. However, an elder cannot ensure the gift of faith and following of Jesus for all those in their home. It is possible for faithful elders to see children walk away from the faith. But it is impossible to lead the church well without intentional investment in the lives of those in the home. Disciple-making starts in the home and ripples to the lives of others beyond the home.

Each pastor is called to join in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. To be absent from disciple-making is to keep a job but fail to obey the Lord.

-Pastor John Richardson