PASTORAL THEOLOGY

GROUND OF TRUTH BIBLE INSTITUTE

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PASTORAL THEOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

The word “Pastor” is used to designate the person who is in charge of a local Church. There are Greek words used in the New Testament to describe this same office. They are: “POIMEN” which means literally a “herdsman, A Shepherd” also “EPISKOPOS” which is usually translated “Elder”.

The word of God shows us that these word refer to the same office of a Pastor (Consider Acts 20:17, 28 and Philipians 1:11) in fact, the Pastor is the Bishop or Overseer, the elder, the shepherd who tends and feed those under his care.

What is a call?

When we talk of Pastoral call, we mean “The inner conviction that we have received a divine commission to the preaching of God’s word and such other duties as are associated with it”.

The call into the ministry is a call of grace. Jesus graciously called four fishermen as disciples. “And He said to them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of Men” (Matt. 4:18-19). The Apostle Paul acknowledge that he became a minister because of the gift of God’s grace (Eph. 3:7; Act 20:24b) and he gave glory to God for His call of grace (I Tim. 1:12).

Is it The Pastor Alone That God Call?

No. God calls every believer to preach the gospel.

1.                 In a sense, every believers is called to proclaim the gospel

   (Matt. 9:38; I Cor. 12:13, 18; John 15:1-8).

2.                  All believer have been empowered to continue the works of Christ, this is the purpose of the Holy Spirit (John 17:20; 14, 12).

3.                 Christianity in its beginnings was a lay movement (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19-20). It was not the Apostle alone that preaches the word everywhere, but it was the regular members of the Apostolic Church who went out and proclaimed the word of salvation (Rom. 10:18)

However, though, all church members are called to preach the gospel, but yet, there is also a specific call to preach.

God took the initiative in every divine appointment into the ministry (Amos 7:14, 15; Ezek. 34:23; Act 9:3-6; 15-16; 14:23; Eph. 4:7 there is a place for “Everyone” and a specific place for “some” in the ministry of church of Christ. A wide range of work is required to complete the whole job of erecting a building. (I Cor. 3:9).

Why do Some People Believe they are Called?

A.      There are some superficial reasons for a call.

1.     Parental pressure (I Samuel 1:20-28)

2.     Personal Ambition (Acts. 8:18-19)

3.     Preferred Service (Acts. 19:13-17)

Every Christian should seek God’s guidance, and if he keeps his heart and mind open toward God, he will find out whether or not God has called him to the ministry of the Gospel.

Are there any men in Pastoral work who God did not call?

Without any doubt, we can positively identify some, or all of the following traits;

1.            They regard their work as a profession rather than as a distant call from God. They choose the pastorate like another man may choose teaching or medicine, or law, or some other professional activity.

2.            They do not consider the winning of souls for Christ as their supreme task. Some do not even believe in the necessity of conversion for one to become a Christian.

3.            They are often men who deny the authority, integrity, and inspiration of the word of God.

4.            They are usually men who construct their sermons out of what they read in the writings of other men and use the bible only to find a few words to serve as a suitable text for their message.

5.            They are often men who easily step out of the ministry when they become disillusioned about the nature of the work and the income they receive.

What shall we say in conclusion? Pastoral work is God’s work in human hands. Pastoral work is performed by men whom God has called. Pastoral work along with all true Christian work is the greatest ministry in the world. Pastoral work will bring eternal rewards.

It is a most serious thing to answer a false call, to run without being sent. Ezek. 13:3, 6:8-9. We should learn from the story of Ahimaz who, though he was a good man very zealous, but had no message, (2 Sam. 18:22, 27; 30). The king commanded him to turn aside still. What a shame! God is against any self appointed preacher.

THE PASTOR AND THE CHURCH GROWTH

A.      WHAT DOSE CHURCH GROWTH MEAS?

          Church growth concept means the balanced increase in quantity, quality and organizational complexity of a local Church.

THREE PART OF CHURCH GROWTH

1.      The Quantitative or Numerical Growth – Acts. 2:41; 4:4; 5:14

                          Quantitative

                                             Total

                                      Church Growth

                      Organic                                                   Qualitative

2.       The Qualitative or Spiritual Growth – Acts 2:24-47; Eph. 4. The lack of spiritual growth is detrimental to numerical growth. The two cannot be separated.

3.       Organic or Structural Growth – Acts. 6:1-6; 14:23.

B.      SEVEN WAYS TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN GROWTH MOMENTUM

The Pastor should function as agent. Before you can effectively guide a church through change, you must earn the right to lead the people.

At least four steps must be taken for each major change.

1.     Share your vision

2.     Accumulate feed back

3.     Promote harmony in the body

You have people who are progressives, conservatives or traditionalists.

4.     Discern the proper timing.

Let us now consider seven ways to keep growth on course:

1.       THE PASTORS NEEDS TO PRAY FOR MORE FAITH (LUKE 17:5)

The faith needed is that which trusts God to do the miraculous (Mark 16:17-18, John 14:12)

2.       THE PASTORS MUST BE PREPARED TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

Increasing faith will make you to see problems as opportunities. Recognize a problem in its early stage before it gets out of hand. Once it is recognized, do not postpone tackling it.

3.       THE PASTOR IS TO PLAN EFFECTIVE OUTREACH.

Use the best methods in communicating the message of Christ to the un-churched people of your community. How can you be sure of doing that?

(a)              Learn from experience

How effective are the methods you been using?

(b)             Know the Felt Needs of the un-churched in your Community. Take an opinion poll of at least 100 houses holds in your ministry area.

Here are five suggested questions you may ask them:

(i)                Are you an active member of a nearby Church? If the answer is yes, the interview stops there. Wish the person well.

(ii)             What do you think is the greatest need in (put the name of your area)

(iii)           Why do you think most people don’t attend Church? This is a key question.

(iv)           If you were looking for a Church in the area, what kinds of things would you look for?

(v)             What advice would you give me as the Pastor of a nearby Church, what for example could I have for you?

Then leave the person with a brochure describing your Church.

Target your outreach on the responsive.

Watch for the right time and place (John 4:34-38)

Sow your “seed” on the fertile soil (Mark 4)

These groups of people will be more receptive to the message of the Good News;

(i)                Friends and relatives of Church members, especially of new converts.

(ii)             New arrivals in the community.

(iii)           Visitors to your Church

(iv)           People whose needs you can meet.

(v)             People who are passing through a critical period in their lives and who need a special touch of love and concern.

4.  THE PASTOR IS TO PLAN FOR EFFECTIVE ASSIMILATION OF NEW MEMBERS

          Why do many Churches with active outreach ministries still do not grow well? This state of affairs is usually a symptom of a weakness in the assimilation process. There are two major generally, to make sure a new member becomes assimilated.

a.     Assign a task

b.     Create face-to-face fellowship groups.

5.  THE PASTOR MAY NEED TO RESOLVE THE PREDICTABLE PIONEER-HOMESTEADER CONFLICT

          The pioneers are the old guard who have identified a set of traditions and customs, “our way of doing things” with the Church itself. The homesteaders are persons who came in since the new Pastor took the pastorate. This problem is mostly common with the traditional Church.

6.       THE PASTOR SHOULD ADD THE NEEDED STAFF

Most Churches are understaffed for growth. Both the quality and the quantity of the staff is important in a growing Church.

Two suggestions on staff quality:

a.       Recruit new staff on the basis of spiritual gifts

b.      Recruit new staff on the basis of devotion to the Church and Senior Pastor.

7.       THE PASTOR SHOULD PREACH FOR MORE GROWTH

(i)                Match your preaching to your philosophy of ministry.

(ii)             Use the power of the pulpit to motivate your people for growth.

(iii)           Be positive. Be affirming and uplifting.

(iv)           Avoid controversial topics.

(v)             Preach to personal needs.

PASTOR AND SPRITUAL GIFTS

INTRODUCTION

          Pastors are to manage the spiritual gifts in the Church. He must have better understanding about manifestation and operation of each gift.

CHURCH GROWTH AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

What happens when a Church ignores the importance of spiritual gifts?

(1)             There will be the problem of ignorance (Cor. 12:1-2)

(2)             There will be the problem of unnecessary comparison (1 Cor. 10:12)

(3)             There will be the problem of unhealthy competition (Matt. 20:20-28)

(4)             There will be the problem of dissension (I Cor. 3:3-6)

(5)             There will be the problem of becoming program-centered instead of people centered.

FOUR DUTIES OF PASTOR IN MANAGING THE GIFTS

1.     Not Natural Talents (1 Cor. 2: 4-14)

2.     Not fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)

3.     Not Christian Roles (Lk. 24:48)

4.     Not counterfeit gifts (Matt. 24:24; 7:22,23)

TWO BASIC PURPOSES OF GIFTS IN THE CHURCH

1.     Spiritual gifts are to produce growth (1 Cor. 12:7; 14:12, 26)

2.     Spiritual gifts are to produce unity (I Cor. 12:12)

A.   Gifts differ just as members differ. (I Cor. 12:2, 12:28, 17, 18; Rom. 12:6-8)

B.   Proper understanding of spiritual gifts should eliminate inferiority feelings. (I Cor. 12:14-17)

C.   Proper understanding of spiritual gifts should eliminates exaggerated self esteem. (I Cor. 12:21; Rom. 12:3; I Cor. 4:7)

THREE CATEGORIES OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

1.     Motivation gifts – Rom. 12:6-8; I Peter 4:9-11

2.     Manifestation gifts – I Cor. 12:8-10, 21

3.     Ministry gifts – Eph. 4:11

HOW SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE RECEIVED

The spiritual gifts are received by impartation, not by instruction/education.

1.     SOVEREIGNTY: God can move, give gifts, ministries and office as he desires. (Acts 2:1-4; 4: 31; 10:44)

2.     BY LAYING OF HANDS: (Deut. 34:9; Acts 13:3; I Tim. 4:14)

HOW CAN YOU KNOW WHAT GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN YOU?

1.     Explore the possibilities. (Luke 11:9, 13; I Pet. 4:10)

2.     Experiment with as many as possible. (I Cor. 14:12)

3.     Examine your feelings. What do you enjoy doing? (Ps. 100:2; Matt. 11:30)

4.     Examine your effectiveness. (Cor. 12:7)

5.     Expect the confirmation from the body. Acts 9:36-39; Acts 11:24; 2)

THE PASTOR AND CHURCH ADMINISTRATION

Church Administration – an equipping ministry

A)              Definition of Church Administration

For the church to have maximum effectiveness there is need for leadership and guidance in using the Church’s limited resources for ministry. It is essential that the church be le to discover and determine its purpose and objectives, the needs of the people must be identified, and the church should design and develop responses to these needs. It is crucial that the Church be able to replace resources appropriately.

Therefore what comprise the field and function of Church administration are the leadership and guidance required to achieve optimum effectiveness in these facets of ministry. In his church administration, effective leadership for ministry, Charles a Tidwell gives this definition of Church administration.

“Church administration is the leadership which equips the Church to be the Church and to do work of the Church. It is the guidance provided by Church leaders as they lead the Church to use its spiritual, human, physical and financial resources to move the church towards reaching its objectives and fulfilling its arrowed purpose. It is enabling the children of God who comprise the Church to become and to do what they can become and do, by God’s grace.

We need to analyze this rather lengthy definition for a thorough consideration of the meaning of Church Administration.

1.     Church administration is leadership

2.     Church administration equips the Church to be and to do the work of the Church

3.     Church administration is the guidance provided by Church leaders as they lead the Church.

A.   To use its spiritual resources

B.   To us its human resource (Church administration comes from administer i.e. making use or how to use)

C.   To use its physical resources

D.   To use its financial resources.

4.     Church administration is moving the Church toward reaching its objectives and fulfilling its vowed purpose.

5.     Church administration is enabling the children of God who comprise the Church to become what they can become by God’s grace.

6.     Church administration is enabling God’s people to do what they can do by God’s grace.

B.      Church Administration is Leadership

          One may be termed a church administration to the extent that one performs the leader functions in the field of Church administration. a leader gives leadership.

What do we mean when we affirm that Church administration is leadership? What is leadership?

LEADERSHIP IS GUIDING ALONG A WAY

          Leader comes out of leadership, and leader means someone who knows the way, who shows the way and goes the way.

          Leadership is the act or process of guiding someone or something along a way. A leader may have to go in advance of those who are being led to show the way sometimes, the leader may simply be needed to keep followers under control and order.

          A guide should have intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers. This pre-requisites for effective leadership bring to mind the statement of our Lord Jesus Christ in response to the criticism of the dogmatic leaders of Israel, Jesus said;

                             “Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blinds.

                             And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a

                             Ditch” (NKJV).

          This statement of Christ underscores the need for the leaders of the people of God to be enlightened persons themselves.

          Church leadership is under Christ. Christ is the head of His Church, and no one among the leaders that is greater than Him. Therefore you must not lead the master, but follow the master, those that lead the master always show themselves, they don’t listen to advice, but they rule over everybody.

          The leadership in a Church should be performed by persons who are ready to follow the leadership of Christ, the Head of the Church. Christ Himself is the one who enables and orders to discern the way by means of Holy spirit’s guidance.

 Church Leadership Exists to Equip

          Leadership and guidance are in a Church for the purpose of equipping the Church. What does it mean to equip? The Church is equipped when it is furnished for:

(1)         Service or action

(2)         To equip means to prepare, to dress, to array, to outfit.

(3)         The word is used in the ancient time to means setting a dislocated joint, putting it in order. The verb form of the word appears in Matt. 4:21; Eph. 4:12. To equip the Church is to provide any or all essentials making for efficiently in action or use for performing a function. The natural, characteristic, essential action of Church leadership is to equip the Church.

Ministry of Administration is to Equip

          The root meaning of the term “Church Administration” supports the view that it exists to equip the Church for ministry. The word “administer” comes from the Latin word “Administrate” is the act or process of administering. The concept of administration in the modern usage is very similar to that of management, the judicious use resources or manpower to accomplish an end.

          The pastor as an administrator is concerned with preceding leadership in discovering and determining the ends, and guidance the judicious use of means to accomplish the ends.

          A ministry of administration is a ministry of equipping persons for service. Administration is the “growing” of people. It is enabling leaders and co-workers to lead the right people to be at the right place, with the right thing at the right time, with the right attitudes, knowledge, and skills, to perform service that is right to perform.

CHURCH ADMINISTRATION AND PEOPLE

Church Administration involves people and things. A major difference in good administration and poor administration lies in the emphasis the administrator places on people as being more important than things.

Good administration is leading people to grow and develop in their knowledge, skill, and attitudes as together the leader and co-worker try to advance the church toward its purpose and objectives.

Good administrators specialize in working with people. The leader should be primarily concerned with helping the people who are the church to grow and to develop in the joys and satisfactions of productive service as they reach out to minister to others.

There must be a wholesome balance of interest in persons and in what they might produce in kingdom service.

BIBLICAL MODELS OF THE EQUIPPING MINISTRY

The Jethro – Moses in Exodus 18:13-27.

Jethro showed good judgment in his approach to Moses. He asked questions first, and later offered answers. He asked Moses what he was doing (“to the people”) and the way he was trying to do it alone. Moses gave a simple, obvious answer………….B. 1-“ “The people came unto me”. Insept administrators still try to explain their predicament like this.

JETHRO PRESCRIBED AN EQUIPPING MINISTRY FOR MOSES

1.     Pray for them and their problems (19b)

2.      Teach them the guidelines (20a)

3.     Show them the way, their life direction (20b)

4.     Show them the work they must do to become a nation to be used for God’s redemptive purposes. (20c)

5.     Organize the people into manageable groups (21b)

6.     Choose qualified men to lead each groups (21b)

7.     Give the chosen leaders continuing authority (22a)

8.     Have leaders decide routine matters (22b)

9.     Bring “Great matters” to the Chief leaders (22b)

Jethro advice was instrumental in helping Moses to move from being a mere hardworking leader with a followers, to being an effective administrator in his time.

Even though Moses was already “great”, he was humble enough that he could learn so rapidly from his father-in-law. Charles Tidwell says: Perhaps one measure of greatness is the willingness of one to learn what one should, regardless of the source, as it is honest and right”.

THE PASTOR’S QUALIFICATION

INTRODUCTION

Under this topic, we shall consider a Pastor’s Qualification along three lines.

1.     Natural qualification

2.     Educational qualification

3.     Spiritual qualification

 NATURAL QUALIFICATION

(1)         Mental and nervous stability: A lot of experience will fall to a Pastor’s lot; therefore, he must be courageous when discouragement comes. I Sam. 30: 1-8.

(2)         Sympathetic Nature: He must never allow himself to become professional and callous, taking courage should never rob him of the ability to enter into the joys sorrows of the people with whom he deals. Romans. 12:15. He may have a very sad funeral and wedding the same day.

(3)         Interested in people: The better he knows them, the better he will understand them, therefore, he should know some things about the family, daily occupation, and any problem they may have.

(4)         Appreciation of responsibility: What he says and does may influence man for good or evil.

(5)         Willing to work hard: A Pastor needs to work very hard,

(a)         On his study

(b)         Over his members

(c)          Over the building of the Church

(d)         And Community.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

INTRODUCTION

How much education should a Pastor have? That depends on his age at the time he obey the divine call. If he is not so young any more, he should still seek to advance educationally as far as it is possible. Furthermore, any Pastor should remain a student all his life. Let us suggest briefly the courses of study to be pursues. (it is taken for granted that the ministerial candidate has been graduated from high school.) 

(i)                A good Bible course

(ii)             A liberal arts education

(iii)           A seminal opportunity

SPIRITUAL QUALIFICATION

INTRODUCTION

As a preparation for the ministry there are more important qualifications than talents, education, favourable circumstances, or the ability to preach. If a man fails here, all his other qualifications will not be able to make him a successful Pastor.

(i)                He must be a Christian

(ii)             He must be a spirit –filled

(iii)           He must be called of God and sent by God

(iv)           He must be a man of prayer and fasting.

IMPORTANCE OF ORDINATION

INTRODUCTION

Most Churches are pastured by ordained minister, that is, man who have been set apart for the ministry of the Gospel, usually by what is called an “Ordination Service”. The Protestants, for the word is called an “Ordination Services”. The definition of the word sometimes given is not much help to Protestants, for it define “Ordination” as “the conferring of holy orders”. The meaning is that it conveys the authority to perform all the functions of a Pastor.

IS ORDINATION NECESSARY?

Is it necessary for a man to be ordained in order to preach the Gospel? The answer is an unqualified no. it is no more necessary to be ordained in order to preach than it is to be baptized in order to be saved.

Why then do Protestants believe in and practice ordination? What is ordination? One definition says it means: “To invest with ministerial and sacerdotal function: to introduce into the office of the Christian ministry”. The first half does not express what is held by most Protestants, but we can agree with the second half.

We object to the claim that it “invests with sacerdotal function”. What is sacredotalism? The dictionary answer: “The doctrine that ordination confers special powers and right for the exercise of the ministry”. To some this seems to mean that there-after certain acts performed by the ordained man (such as baptism, the administration of the Lord’s supper) will have actual spiritual merit because of the man who performs them.

Most Protestants, except the Anglicans, do not believe in this kind of sacerdotalism, but generally they do believe in a public service in which a man is set apart for definite Christian work. It qualifies him to performs the functions of the ministerial office, we do not believe the ordination conveys any spiritual authority.

There are a few legal benefits that are extended by most of our state government to an ordained man. One of these is the right to officiate at marriages. This is not true universally. To be a pastor is sufficient in most places.

1.     IS THERE A SCRIPTURAL BASIS FOR ORDINATION?

We believe there is. There are number of passages in which some form of the word “ordained is used.

1.            Jesus “ordained” the Twelve before He sent them to preach (Mark 3:14) however, the word used is translated from the Greek word which means “to make”. This indicates that Jesus made these men His Apostles by appointing them to this office.

2.            Paul says he was “ordained a preacher” (I Timothy 2:7). The word used has a similar meaning – to put, set, or make. Paul seems to have in mind the thought that God put him into that office

3.            Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey “ordained” elder in every church (Acts. 14:23). The word used literally means “to vote by stretching out the hand”. It would seems to indicate appointment by the uplifted hand.

4.            Paul directed Titus to “ordained” elders (Titus 1:5). The Greek word also means to put, set, or appoint, in none of the places does it convey the idea of conferring authority.

But we can sum up a few thoughts from these verses.

1.     The Lord makes his own servants and appoints them to their work.

2.     Other preachers, no doubt with the consent and cooperation of the church, recognize God’s call.

3.     From this it seems evident that a candidate was examined for his fitness by those who ordained him.

It seems to have because the custom quite early in the Christian Church “to set apart” a man for the work of preaching and the performance of pastoral duties by the “laying on of hands” (See Acts 13:3; I Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 1:6; also Acts 6:6 which refers to deacons). So we believe that ordained has a scriptural basis and for this reason has been practiced in this Christian Church down through the centuries of the Christian era.

QUALIFICATION OF THE ONES TO BE ORDAINED

Is the Church expected to ordain anyone who desires ordinations? The answer is an unqualified no. In many local congregations there appear individuals who are obsessed with the idea that they should preach, and of course they want to be ordained. It would be a serious mistake for a Church to grant such requests. There are several criteria by which we can determine who is qualified for ordination.

The person to be ordained must be convinced that God has called him to this ministry. The Apostles Paul said: “for though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me: yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel,” (I Cor. 9:16). Let us remember that ordination in itself does not make any man a pastor or minister, nor does it endue him with special qualifications for the work. There must be first the absolute conviction that God has called hm.

 There is danger of minimizing the call of God. This is doubtless the reason why there are men in the pulpit whom God has not called. They give proof of this by the message they preach. It stands to reason that God would not call a man to preach contrary to the Bible. The lack of this conviction is doubtless he reason why many men forsake the ministry. The work is more difficult than they expected and the income is below what they desired, so they leave the pastorate and find secular employment that pays better wages.

EVIDENCE OF HAVING BEEN CALLED OF GOD

This person to be ordained must give evidence of having been called of God. There are several ways in which this can be done.

1.            By the expression of his own conviction (I Cor. 9:16) (I Tim. 1:12). That is why at an examination or ordination the candidate is asked to give an account of his call to the ministry. This is where modern councils sometimes fail. If the candidate is well educated, little attention is paid to his call or even his doctrinal position.

2.            By his ability to Preach. In describing the qualification of a bishop (Pastor) Paul says that he must be “apt to teach” (Timothy 3:20). To Timothy he gives the command to “Preach the word” (II Timothy 4:2). There is a difference between teaching and preaching. Those who are called to the ministry should be both Pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). Teaching means “to impart knowledge”.

The aim of teaching is that student should have more knowledge when he leaves a class than when he entered it. We are not now concerned with the method of teaching, only with the aim and the results. Preaching means “to proclaim the gospel message; to deliver a sermon, to exhort”. The aim of preaching is to produce action, the word translated “preach” comes from a Greek word (Galatians 5:11) which means that something ought to be done.

There are some Pastors who are excellent Bible teachers but they do not produce many converts. There are other preachers who are always evangelistic and have many converts, but their members never become strong Christians because they have no Bible teaching. The ideal thing for a Pastor is to have a combination of both.

EXAMINATION BEFORE ORDINATION

None is definitely prescribed in the New Testament. However, in giving instructions to Titus regarding the qualifications of a “Bishop” (or “elder”), Paul says he should be a man “holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayer” (Titus 1:9). How can this be discovered expect by an examination?

PASTORING BEFORE ORDINATION

There is no spiritual precedent or any teaching on the subject. Some Churches have practiced it in the past, and some still do. While we do not argue in favour of it, we believe it has its good points:

1.     It will show if a man has any talent for preaching and pastoral work;

2.     It will reveals how much knowledge he has of the work of God.

3.     It will disclose his doctrine position

4.     It will be especially beneficial if it gives him some practical experience in pastoral work.

We are of the opinion that an “internship” in pastoral services might be of great benefits. A doctor of medicine, although he have been graduated from him course in medicine, is not licensed until he has served an internship of two years in the state in which he wishes to practice. Why should not theological graduates have similar training before becoming pastor and being ordained to the ministry?

PASTOR AS A LEADER

A leader is the one who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way. Pastor is an overall leader in the Church, and he is the one who leads other leaders and all committees and councils. Furthermore, pastor has a lot of duties to discharge such as:

1a.     Sunday Service.

1b.     Sunday Bible School

2.       Church music arrangement

3.       Evangelism outreach

4.       Counseling

5.       Conducting ordinances

6.       Conducting naming ceremony

7.       Conducting Funerals

8.       Conducting Weddings

9.       Church discipline. Etc.

1a.     SUNDAY SERVICE

The Pastor as a leader in the Church has a lot to do on Sunday, e. g.

1.     He organizes for workers prayer

2.     He directs Sunday Bible School programme

3.     He co-ordinates the whole service

a.     He prepare announcement

b.     He prepare the message

c.      He closes the service and say the grace.

1b.    SUNDAY BIBLE SCHOOL

Pastor as a leader has big responsibilities to do on Sunday Bible School.

What is Sunday Bible School?

Is a Bible School runs on Sundays? Therefore, it contains all of these: -

A.   BIBLE SCHOOL ON SUNDAY?

1.     Teachings on the Bible

2.     Teachings that stand on the Church’s beliefs

3.     Teachings that edify the body of Christ

4.     Teachings that go along with the gospel to sinners.

B.   BIBLE SCHOOL OFFICERS

1.     Spirit filled leaders such as: -

(i)                Sunday Bible School superintendent or co-ordinator

(ii)             Sunday Bible School Teachers

2.     Good preparative class

3.     Sunday Bible School pamphlet

4.     Division of Classes etc.

All these and others are the responsibilities of the Pastor and where there is a shortage of staff, the pastor is the one to produce spirit filled teachings, and also to control preparative class, even at times to teach at Sunday Bible School class, also to administer the programme.

2.       CHURCH MUSIC ARRANGEMENT

It is good for a Pastor to know much about music, but where the pastor do not have much knowledge of music, a good choir master should be employed for effective music co-ordination on Sundays, and for all spiritual songs for inspiration. The Pastor as a leader is responsible for the appointment of the Church music department officers such as the:

(1) Choir Master                           Praises

(2) Organist                                  Worship

(3) Choir member                         Prayer

(4) Choir practice & meeting                  Revival

Where there is a shortage of staff, the pastor must be on hand to fill gap, and also administer the programme.

3.       EVANGELISTIC OUTREACHES

The Pastor as a leader must lay good examples for the members to follows: “Like Pastor, like member”. A zealous pastor for evangelism will provide zealous members for evangelism, pastor supposes to pioneer the evangelistic team by: -

1.     Encouraging and preparing member down for it

2.     Visualizing or surveying where he wants the Church to evangelize

3.      Sending them with prayer or go with them a times.

4.     Providing necessary things e.g. P. A. system, Tracts, follow-up materials, money if and when necessary.

5.     Appointing a spirit filled leader to co-ordinate them. Either in groups or as a whole.

4.       PASTOR AND COUNSELLING

The Pastor as a father in the Church, has multi faced roles to play in the life of the members, they tell him many things about the situation of their life for:

1.     More Prayer

2.     Elderly counseling counsel

3.     Godly counsel

4.     Freedom in the mind or conscience

5.     Keeping the secret for future time.

The fire, a good Pastor must see himself as a counselor, rather than an adviser, to counsel means to investigate the case till the fact is known and the solution is prescribed.

So the Pastor has a great job to do as a counselor e.g.

1.     He must learn how to wait upon the Lord all the time.

2.     He must learn how to slow in replying the counselee.

3.     He must not move with emotion.

4.     He must not judge the opponent before hearing from him.

5.     He must realize that complainer also is a human being.

6.     He must be ready to question every dark statement.

7.     He must not give total solution to many cases.

Because of great work that pastor involved in as counselor, he need to put on some character or ideal e.g.

1.     He must not be a talkative

2.     He must not be an unserious person.

3.     He must not be loose in mouth i.e. He must know how to keep secret.

Pastor alone as a leader does many of counseling work especially at the early stage of a church.

5.       CONDUCTING ORDINANCES

The Pastor as a leader conducts many vital programme in the church, in which what is called ordinances, the most important in it.

WHAT IS ORDINANCES

The word ordinances mean “order or rule”. Biblically there are two services that the Lord initiated or established before his departure “Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism”. These two services were recognized as ordinances.

So it is the duties of a pastor to perform it after thoroughly examination of the following:

A.      BAPTISM

1.     Has the person heard the gospel?

2.     Has he or she believed?

3.     Has he or she experienced new life in Christ? (2 Cor. 5:17)

4.     Has been free from the power of sin and of the devil?

5.     Did he or she give his or her life to Christ just for kingdom sake or for other motives?

6.     Marital situation

7.     Business engagement.

Therefore, the Pastor as a leader must take note that all have been mentioned is done solemnly reverently and honourably.

6.       CONDUCTING THE NAMING CEREMONY

Naming ceremony is one of the important thing that happen once in the life of a child. That is why it is important to look at it very carefully. Jesus also was naming on the eight day also john the Baptist and others were equally named. Therefore, it is the duty of a pastor to conduct the ceremony for the church members. There are certain important facts to be considered in the conduct of naming ceremony and these include:

1.     Opening Prayer, and prayers

2.     Praises and worship, Hymns and Psalm

3.     Calling the name after the father of the baby

4.     Allowing the father to pray first for the baby

5.     Preaching of the word of God.

6.     Giving gift to the baby.

7.       CONDUCTING FUNERALS

Funeral is the last service to a man, and it comes after a man has died and the death is the last thing that will happen to man before the judgment. And as the Lord is adding to the Church, old men will be passing away one by one and if that happen, there will be need for funeral service. Pastor as a leader has a lot to do in funeral programme. But before we look at that, there are some things we need to consider even before a man dies and as he dying.

1.       BEFORE HE DIES:  We know that not all death happen by motor traffic accident, there are some that will die as a result of sickness. Therefore, it is the duty of the pastor to take care of his sick member, no matter the condition of the sick the pastor as a father must: -

i.                   Pay a visit to the person immediately he got the news

ii.                 Organize prayer for him in the sick residence or hospital

iii.              Not reject medical treatment suggested by the members of the sick’s family

iv.              Involve the whole church in prayer and visitation

2.       AS HIS SOUL IS DEPARTING: - There are cases that could meet the pastor unprepared, like motor accident, or sudden death of a member. If a pastor has that emergency message, he must first: -

i.                   Leave everything he is doing and rush to the venue or the location of the victim.

ii.                 Send all his children and immature men out of the room where the victim is.

iii.              Quickly go to God in fervent prayer immediately.

iv.              Make sure that he removes all the cloths on the victim. He does that with the assistance of a matured neighbor around.

v.                 Arrange the dying fellow in a way that will make it easy to put the corps in to the coffin with warm water.

vi.              Cover his or her mouth, nose private part, anus with cotton wool.

vii.            Cover his face and the whole body with cloth etc.

All these and other are very important action the pastor should take as soon as he arrive the house of the deceased.

The pastor as a leader must not turn away from the family of the deceased in preparing for the burial. He must be ready to supply every information required about the deceased either the burial is immediately or later.

BURIAL OR FUNERAL CEREMONY

As naming ceremony is the first service to conduct for a baby, so also is burial or funeral service is the last service conducted for a man on earth. Therefore, it must be done solemnly, reverently and sympathetically. These are suggested to be the behaviours of the pastor during this service: -

1.     He must be a courageous man

2.     He must be sympathetic

3.     He must not speak to make people cry.

4.     He must not cry on the pulpit. Lev. 10:1-7.

5.     He must not forget to preach the gospel to the people who came to sympathize

6.     He must not forget to tell people of what he knows about the deceased when he was alive (but with God’s wisdom)

AT THE GRAVESIDE

The pastor is the one conducting the burial service and followings are very important in it.

1.     To pray for the dead person, though that is meaningless

2.     Quoting Bible verses that are relevant to the situation

3.     Allow the children or the next of kin to cast sand on the coffin at the graveside

4.     Short exhortation should follow after that the next of kin interment

5.     The pastor would go back to the deceased house to pray and give a word of exhortation.

The pastor is a father he does a lot funeral services.

8.       CONDUCTING WEDDING SERVICES

The pastor as a leader is the one to conduct wedding service for his members, especially the youth. As we know that youth are very crucial in the church, the pastor has a lot to do on them, even before they will come to the stage of marriage. These includes: -

1.     Making sure that they are genuinely born again

2.     Teaching them how to wait upon the Lord for their spouse

3.     Letting them know that courtship period is for adjustments.

After all these it is still advisable for a pastor to set up a marriage committee, that will consider:

1.     The life they had lived in the past.

2.     Ensuring that the home will not collapse after marriage.

3.     Ensuring that the marriage is not done with pregnancy because two shall become one and not three.

If all these are right, then the pastor has all the right to come to the service for the solemnization of the Holy matrimony, but with the heart of joy. The followings are suggested to feature in the programme:

1.     A Lot of prayers and lot of songs of joy

2.     Critical investigation about the joining before the congregation

3.     Joining and blessing

4.     Preaching of the word of God.

NOTE:       The Pastor should remember that, going to Registry is not a sin, and the use of wedding rings.

Therefore, the pastor has a lot to do in the conduct of wedding ceremony.

9.       CHURCH DISCIPLINE

The pastor as an overall leader is the one in position to take disciplinary actions against the members. There are things to consider in taking the step.

1.     The Holy Spirit must be invited into matter before it lead to discipline

2.     Critical investigations should be made

3.     Other officers of the church, may need to know about it atimes, though not at all times.

There are other things to consider under this topic:

1.     Discipline is not to kill but to correct

2.     Discipline must not be given because of hatred

3.     Discipline is to give someone clear conscience

4.     Discipline is to set man out of bondage

5.     Discipline is to silence backbiting in the Church

6.     Discipline will give more room for holiness and fear of God.

Therefore, it must be done under the authority and inspiration of the Holy Spirit with much prayer. The pastor should also make sure that the person being disciplined is:

1.     Coming regularly to the Church services

2.     Not mocked by others, but rather mobilized the brethren to pray for him

3.     Come to the point of genuine repentance

4.     Also he should be restored, anytime the fruit of repentance is seen in him. So the pastor as a father and leader should conduct Church discipline with the tender hand of love.

Therefore, the pastor has a lot to do in the Church as a leader.

Some of these teachings may appear inconclusive and some of our opinions may not be the best, but we have essentially endeavour to put in our best, and where possible buttress our opinion with passage from the Holy Bible.

WE TRUST THAT THESE TEACHINGS WILL BE OF HELP AND BLESSING TO YOU.