The Scripture Ethics and Attitude of a Pastor

I want to give as an example of a pastor in my wife’s family.

Attitudes to have in Performing Pastor’s Ministry:

“Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you.” In my thinking in this area pastors are very lacking in this ministry, today. The whole push has been from the forties and fifties in the pastor’s education. Most churches will not call a man that has not had a seminary education, and the mega-churches will not call a man without a doctorate.

Matthew 18: 11 – 13

“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.” (Cf. Luke 15: 4 – 7)

I know of many hurting souls in the church, who are not receiving any comfort, encouragement, exhortation from the pastor, at least one on one. We are losing folks out the back door. I personally know a few pastors that are really not great preachers, but are truly involved with their people. They are people persons.

The pastor shepherd must be involved in the lives of all God’s people given for his care, not only his favorites or those who give money to the church.

I want to introduce right here the main business of the pastor is preaching and intercessory praying. This is brought from a book, “Prayer Availeth Much,” by T. M. Anderson.

THE INTERCESSORY PRAYERS OF CHRISTIANS, “PRAYER AVAILETH MUCH,” Chapter 8, By T. M. Anderson

"... Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me ..."-LUKE 11:5, 6.

There is evidently a ministry of prayer even as there is a ministry of preaching. The teachings of Jesus contained in the parable show us that praying and preaching are integral parts of the plan of salvation.

“Note the boundless possibilities revealed in the prayers of a faithful minister of Christ. "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."-Col. 4:12.”

“It is obvious that the fervent prayers of a servant of Christ can enable the believers to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Perhaps it is difficult for us to understand how our praying for the children of God can establish them in the faith, nevertheless it is true according to this Scripture. We are convinced that our fervent prayers can obtain power from the throne of grace to preserve some struggling saint in an hour of severe trial.”.

“No man can be a faithful follower of Christ and not recognize his responsibility to pray for others. The spiritual life received from Christ motivates a Christian to present the needs of others at the throne of grace, where mercy is obtained, and the promised grace is found to help others in a time of urgent need.”

Exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God. There are three Scripture passages that speak to these issues regarding the pastor, Acts 20: 28, 1 Timothy 3: 1-7, Titus 1: 5-9.

Acts 20: 28 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock,
among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

I am taking from The John MacArthur Study Bible the characteristics of a good pastor. The pastor is “to shepherd the church of God.” This is an awesome responsibility for Jesus Church purchased the church with His own blood.

20:28 Overseers: These are the same as elders and pastors. The word stresses the leaders’ responsibility to watch over and protect their congregations. Note: Church rule, which minimizes the biblical authority of elders in favor of a cultural, democratic process, is foreign to the New Testament.

Bishop: The word means “overseer” and identifies the men who are responsible to lead the church. In the New Testament the words “bishop,” “elder,” “overseer,” and “pastor” are used interchangeably to describe the same men. Bishops (pastors, overseers, elders) are responsible to lead, preach and teach, help the spiritually weak, care for the church, and ordain other leaders. Note: “ordain other leaders,” 1 Timothy 4: 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. In other words, pastors should replace themselves.

(1) Must be Blameless: The use of this Gr. particle stresses emphatically that living a blameless life is absolutely necessary for church leaders. Blameless literally, “not able to be held” in a criminal sense; there is no valid accusation of wrongdoing that can be made against him. No overt, flagrant sin can mar the life of one who must be an example for his people to follow. This is the overarching requirement for “pastors;” the rest of the qualifications elaborate on what it means to be blameless. 

(2) The Husband of One Wife: Literally in Greek a “one-woman man.” This says nothing about marriage or divorce. The issue is not the “pastor’s” marital status, but his moral and sexual purity. This qualification heads the list, because it is in this area that leaders are most prone to fail. A “one-woman man” is one totally devoted to his wife, maintaining singular devotion, affection and sexual purity in both thought and deed. To violate this is to forfeit blamelessness and no longer be “above reproach.”

(3) Temperate: The Greek word literally means “wineless,” but is here used metaphorically to mean “alert,” “watchful,” “vigilant,” or “clear-headed.” Pastors must be able to think clearly. sober-minded. A “sober-minded” man is disciplined, knows how to properly order his priorities, and is serious about spiritual matters. 

(4) Sober minded: A “sober-minded” man is disciplined, knows how to properly order his priorities, and is serious about spiritual matters.” 

(5) Good Behavior: The Greek word means “orderly.” Pastors must not lead chaotic lives; if they cannot order their own lives, how can they bring order to the church? 

(7) Able to Teach: Used only here and in 2 Timothy 2: 24. The only qualification relating to a pastor’s giftedness and spiritual ability, and the only one that distinguishes pastors from deacons. The preaching and teaching of God’s Word is the overseer/pastor/elder’s primary duty.

(8) Not Given to Wine: More than a mere prohibition against drunkenness A pastor must not have a reputation as a drinker; his judgment must never be clouded by alcohol, his lifestyle must be radically different from the world and lead others to holiness, not sin.

(9) Not Violent: Literally “not a giver of blows.” Pastors must react to difficult situations calmly and gently, and under no circumstances with physical violence.

(10) Not Greedy for Money: The better Greek manuscripts omit this phrase.

(11) Gentle: Considerate, genial, gracious, quick to pardon failure, and one who does not hold a grudge. not quarrelsome. “Peaceful,” “reluctant to fight,” one who does not promote disunity or disharmony.

(12) Not Quarrelsome: “Peaceful,” “reluctant to fight”; one who does not promote disunity or disharmony. 

(13) Not Covetous: Pastors must be motivated by love for God and His people, not money. A leader who is in the ministry for money reveals a heart set on the world, not the things of God. Covetousness characterizes false teachers, but not Paul’s ministry (Acts 20:33; 1 Corinthians 9:1–16; 2 Corinthians. 11:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:5).

(14) Who rules his own house well: The pastor’s home life, like his personal life, must be exemplary. He must be one who “rules” (presides over, has authority over) “his own house” (everything connected with his home, not merely his wife and children) “well” (intrinsically good; excellently). Issues of divorce should be related to this matter. A divorced man gives no evidence of a well-managed home, but rather that divorce shows weakness in his spiritual leadership. If there has been a biblically permitted divorce, it must have been so far in the past as to have been overcome by a long pattern of solid family leadership and the rearing of godly children. Submission, a military term referring to soldiers ranked under one in authority. An elder’s children must be believers, well-behaved, and respectful. Take care of the church of God. An elder must first prove in the intimacy and exposure of his own home his ability to lead others to salvation and sanctification. There he proves God has gifted him uniquely to spiritually set the example of virtue, to serve others, resolve conflicts, build unity, and maintain love. If he cannot do those essential things there, why would anyone assume he would be able to do them in the church?

(15) Not a Novice, Lest … Puffed Up with Pride: Putting a new convert into a leadership role would tempt him to pride. Pastors, therefore, are to be drawn from the spiritually mature men of the congregation. Pride falls into the same condemnation as the devil. Satan’s condemnation was due to pride over his position. It resulted in his fall from honor and authority (Isaiah 14:12–14; Ezekiel 28:11–19; cf. Proverbs 16:18). The same kind of fall and judgment could easily happen to a new and weak believer put in a position of spiritual leadership.

(16) Good testimony … outside: A leader in the church must have an unimpeachable reputation in the unbelieving community, even though people there may disagree with his moral and theological stands. How can he make a spiritual impact on those who do not respect him?

God’s standards for all believers are high; His requirement for church leaders is to set that standard and model it. Such leaders are not qualified on the basis of natural ability, intelligence, or education but on the basis of moral and spiritual character and the ability to teach with skill as the Spirit sovereignty has equipped them.

The word “bishop,” is not a hierarchal title, but a word meaning “overseer.” He is a steward, which refers to one who manages someone else’s properties for the well-being of those his master cares for. In this context, one who manages spiritual truths, lives on God’s behalf, and is wholly accountable to Him. The church is God’s, and elders or bishops are accountable to him for the way they lead it. Greedy, even in the early church, some men became pastors in order to gain wealth. Sound biblical doctrine not only should be taught but also adhered to with deep conviction. The faithful teaching and defending of Scripture which encourages godliness and confronts sin and error.

The pastors/elders of the church exercise the very authority of Christ when they preach, teach, and apply Scripture. They serve the church on behalf of Christ and must give Him an account of their faithfulness. The church is responsible to help its leaders do their work with satisfaction and delight. Give notice to these two Scripture passages, 1 Thessalonians 5: 12 – 13, 1 Corinthians 4: 1 – 5.

1 Thessalonians 5: 12 – 13 “and we urge you, brethren, to recognize those (1) who labor among you, and are (2) over you in the Lord and (3) admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.”

The people are to literally know their pastors well enough to have an intimate appreciation for them and to respect them because of their value. The work of pastors is summarized in a threefold description, which includes: (1) laboring, working to the point of exhaustion; (2) overseeing, literally, standing before the flock to lead them in the way of righteousness; and (3) admonishing, instructing in the truths of God’s Word. In addition to knowing pastors congregations are to think rightly and lovingly of their pastors, not because of their charm or personality, but because of the fact that they work for the Chief Shepherd as His special servants. They are also to submit to their leadership so that “peace” prevails in the church.

1 Corinthians 4: 1 – 5 “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.”

So consider us: Paul wanted everyone to view him and his fellow ministers only as the humble messengers God ordained them to be.

Servants: Paul expresses his humility by using a word lit. meaning “under rowers,” referring to the lowest, most menial, and most despised galley slaves, who rowed on the bottom tier of a ship.

Stewards: Paul defines his responsibilities as an apostle by using a word originally referring to a person entrusted with and responsible for his master’s entire household: e.g., buildings, fields, finances, food, other servants, and sometimes even children of the owner.

Mysteries of God: “Mystery” is used in the NT to refer to divine revelation previously hidden. Here the word is used in its broadest sense as God’s full revealed truth in the New Testament. It was all that truth which Paul had to oversee and dispense as God’s servant and steward.

Faithful: The most essential quality of a servant or steward is obedient loyalty to his master. 

Colossians 1: 7 “as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,”

Colossians 4: 7 “Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.”

Judgment: Paul is not being arrogant or saying that he is above fellow ministers, other Christians, or even certain unbelievers. He is saying that a human verdict on his life is not the one that matters, even if it was his own. Paul was not aware of any unconfessed or habitual sin in his own life, but his limited understanding assumed that his was not the final verdict. Paul’s own sincere evaluation of his life did not acquit him of all failures to be faithful. The Lord, He is the ultimate and only qualified Judge of any man’s obedience and faithfulness.

 

2 Timothy 2: 15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

It would appear that from this passage, 1 Corinthians 4: 1 – 5, that the pastor is totally accountable to the Lord Jesus for his actions before the church. It is not for the church to pass judgment on the pastor. Looking back into Paul’s effort in writing this first epistle to the church in Corinth, which he wrote to correct issues in the church. The church of Corinth retaliated by saying that Paul did not have the authority to correct them. The second epistle of Corinthians was written out of his love for the church to defend his ministry and Apostleship. Pastor Paul was a very gracious man of God.

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

I believe that I Peter 5: 1 through 11 is one unit speaking to just pastors. I would not have thought that with my study of the epistle of Third John.

3 John 1:1 THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,

6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;

14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.

I have been reading much on early church history, especially from that first century. There were many young men in those days that went about preaching the gospel of Christ. They would not take money with them. Many in the church would care for them as they went from place to place.

Many senior pastors should take the young preachers of our day under their care to get them started in the ministry. I know that we have Bible education, but to a young mind the education generally produces idealism. You are not taught the bitter experiences facing you in the ministry. This is where a senior pastor can say to the young man, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

Aware of and knowledgeable of the enemy to your ministry:

You are aware of the fact that the devil was biting at Paul’s heals all the time. The pastor more than any other Christian is going to be a target for the devil.

Paul brings out the need for all of us to be armed for the war that we are in. I want to include the entire text.

Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;

19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

What Paul is requesting in prayer for himself, should be our prayer for our pastors. Just in my own Christian lifetime, I have seen so many pastors fall. Maybe we should have prayed and not criticized. His falling was our loss.

“To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Peter was called by our Lord to follow Him. Later on Our Lord made Peter an apostle. Our Lord ordained Peter for ministry. The days following our Lord’s resurrection and given what his ministry was to be as a pastor.

I believe that the best expression of the awesome responsibility of the pastor’s work in the Body of Christ is found in Scofield’s note on Titus 1: 5.

C. I. Scofield, D.D., Bible Note on Titus 1: 5

It is not at all a question of the presence in the assembly of persons having the qualifications of elders, made overseers by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28); that such persons were in the churches of Crete is assumed. The question is altogether one of the appointment of such persons. These churches were not destitute of elders, but were at fault in having failed to duly appoint them. There is a progress of doctrine in respect to the appointing of elders.

Elder (Gk. <presbuteros>) and overseer (Gk. <episkopos>) designate the same office (cp. v. 7; Acts 20:17; cp. v. 28), the former referring to the man, the latter to a function of the office. The eldership in the apostolic churches was usually plural; there is no instance of only one elder in a local church. The functions of the elders are: to rule (1 Tim 3:4 - 5; 5:17); to teach (1 Tim 5:17); to guard the body of revealed truth from perversion and error (Titus 1:9); and to oversee the church as a shepherd his flock (John 21:16; Acts 20:28; Heb 13:17; 1 Pet 5:2). Elders are made or set in the churches by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28), but great stress is laid in the N.T. upon their due appointment (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). In Titus and 1 Timothy the qualifications of an elder become part of the Scriptures for the guidance of the churches themselves in such appointments (1 Tim 3:1 - 7).

<Elders:> vv. 5,7; James 5:14. (Acts 11:30; Titus 1:5, note)

The functions of the elders (pastors) are

1. to rule: First Timothy 3: 4 – 5 “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)” First Timothy 5: 17 “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”

There are two verses in Hebrews that reflects this matter of leadership. Consider Hebrews 13: 7 “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” And 17 “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

2. to teach: First Timothy 5: 17 “The elders who direct the affairs of the churchwell are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”

 This matter of teaching goes back to Ephesians 4: 11 – 12 “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” The knowledge of the Scriptures along with its Theology is a must so that the saints know how to be saints. Also remember that the saints have the gifts from the Holy Spirit. Pastor, they are to be utilized for the growth of the church.

3. to guard the body of revealed truth from perversion and error: Titus 1: 9 “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

 This is a must to be accomplished in today’s church. Error breeds like a cancer. It can effect the whole body. Paul was exhorting his elders and churches many times over the issue of heresy in the Body of Christ. Almost the entire chapter of First Timothy speaks to this problem. I do want to bring forth two verses that cover the issue of doctrine and these are Second Timothy 3: 16 – 17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Word of God is for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

4. to oversee the church as a shepherd his flock: John 21: 16 “Again Jesus said ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’" Acts 20: 28 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Hebrews 13: 17 “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” First Peter 5: 2 – 3 “Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3: 20 – 21).