Post-modern Christians have little use for pastors. For them, it’s simply “me and Jesus.” But Holy Scripture knows of no such thing as “me and Jesus.”
To be a Christian is to be a sheep of the Good Shepherd, and therefore a sheep under the guidance and oversight of an undershepherd. The word pastor means “shepherd.” In Holy Scripture, pastors are commonly called deacons, elders, and/or overseers. Below are ten examples of why the pastor is vitally important to the Christian.
If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Jesus call the disciples to Himself and make them “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19)?
“The one who hears you hears Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me.” [Luke 10:16]If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Jesus institute the Office of the Holy Ministry on Easter evening?
“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” [John 20:21-23]If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why do Saints Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every congregation?
“And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” [Acts 14:23]If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul link believing in Jesus Christ to hearing the Gospel, hearing the Gospel to the Word being preached, and preaching the Word to the Office of the Holy Ministry?
“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” [Romans 10:14-15]If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul state that the ascended Jesus gives shepherds to His Church?
“And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” [Ephesians 4:11-12]If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul remind Saint Timothy of the gift given to him when he was ordained?
“Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.” [1 Timothy 4:14]If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul remind the church to honor the elders?
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” [1 Timothy 5:17]If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why Saint James encourage the sick to call for the elders in their time of need?
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” [James 5:14]If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why do Saints Paul and Peter encourage the elders to shepherd the flock of God they have been called to serve?
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.” [Acts 20:28]
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” [1 Peter 5:2-4]If the pastor is unimportant or unnecessary, why does Saint Paul go to such great length to list their qualifications and responsibilities?
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” [1 Timothy 3:1-7]
“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” [Titus 1:5-9]
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” [2 Timothy 4:1-5]While many other examples could be cited, these ten demonstrate why the pastor is vitally important to the Christian. Simply put, the pastor is the public deliveryman God uses to deliver His good gifts—Word and Sacrament—to His family, to you and me.
What’s more, even pastors need pastors—father confessors who hear their sins and absolve them in Christ’s stead. Like you, pastors are not perfect. Nor are they sinless. Like you, they are broken, in need of Christ. Nevertheless, Christ has placed them in His Church for your good.
So come and receive Jesus’ good gifts from them. Listen, believe, and live from the Word they preach. Call them to task when they abandon the Word or preach a different Jesus. Love them. And pray for them. Rest assure, they love you and are praying for you as well!
