Number four on Paul’s ministry office list is “pastors and teachers.” The Greek in this text for “pastors and teachers” seems to indicate two aspects of one office, the shepherd of the local church.
“Pastor” means “shepherd,” the one who leads, feeds, and protects the flock. Here, it refers to the church shepherd, watching over the flock of God. Paul emphasized this responsibility in his last meeting with the elders from the church at Ephesus. He said:
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. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.¹⁷
The Apostle Peter delivered the same message in his general letter to the churches.
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 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. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. ¹⁸
Overseeing the flock means protecting it. The shepherd carries a staff, not just to prod the sheep, but to fend off wolves and other predators. Jesus said it best, “No one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.”¹⁹ He was talking about His power over Satan, but the principle is true in any house.
A pastor is the strongman in the house of God. When he is strong in the Lord, strong in truth and righteousness, and strong in his anointing, the devil has a hard time disrupting the church. The only way he can disrupt it is to bind up the pastor. We should make certain he never can use us to do it! Don’t hand him the rope!
The pastor is the strongman as well for the church’s health and stability. He maintains order and discipline when the lambs get too rambunctious butting heads.
He also walks among the sheep for comfort. He stays with them through storms. His character and faithfulness soothe and reassure. “It’s going to be alright. I’m here and I represent the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. I stand not in my own authority, but in the authority Jesus gave me to be shepherd of this flock. In His authority, like David who took on the lion and the bear and prevailed, I can take on the devil. So, let’s just stay here. It’s going to be all right.” The good shepherd helps bring peace to the church.
Through it all, the pastor leads the sheep to good pastures and fresh water. He pours food into their lives. He blesses them with growth as he studies the Word and passes it along to them. Why? So they can get into the ministry, bear lambs, and produce wool. The pastor-teacher leads and feeds the church so each member can be and do all that God intends.
The effective pastor understands that the ministry, the wonderful array of works and service which reveal and apply God’s love, really does not belong to him. It belongs to the people. His ministry priority is to put them into the ministry.