The Pastor Question
Why don't we have a pastor? or When are we going to get a pastor? are questions we've been repeatedly asked.
Please understand that what we are presenting here is not intended as criticism or judgment of other church structures and organizations. God has mightily worked through many of these in our own experience and in their outreach to others. However we believe we must clearly present the conviction God has given us for this body.
Now back to the questions above. Before we can answer these we must deal with some other questions:
What is a pastor?
Our individual answers to this question will be as varied as the different traditions from which we have come. Although there will be variations, most answers can be generalized like this:
A pastor is an ordained clergyman (as opposed to a layman) who is the CEO of a church1 .
There are problems with this answer:
Firat It comes strictly from the traditions of men. There is NO scriptural basis for the role of pastor as currently practiced in almost all congregations.
Because we desire that our lives and practice be aligned with the Word of God, we need to understand what Scripture has to say.
Okay. What does it say about pastors and their role? This may surprise you, but almost nothing!
First, let's consider the name.
The word pastor is used only once in almost all English translations of the New Testament. In the others, it's not used at all. The one place it is used is in Ephesians 4:11, where it is listed as one class of functioning individuals Jesus gave to the church. Many set forth this passage as a list of the "fivefold ministries". In fact due to the grammatical structure of this passage in the Greek, there is considerable disagreement about whether this actually lists four, rather than five functions.
Let's look at the passage in greater depth:
And he gave some, apostles;
some, prophets;
some, evangelists;
some, pastors and teachers (Ephesians. 4:11).
Of the words translated some in this passage (tous men and tous dè), one Greek scholar has written2 , "It is not feasible to give a literal rendering without undue explanation; some idiomatic word or phrase has to be used."
Between pastors and teachers a different word is used that could tie the noun before and the one after together as a class. I take from this that pastors and teachers may represent the range of expression of the same function.
Maybe this explains why Paul did not include pastors in the list in 1 Corinthians 12:26:
And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.
Second: Pastor is a transliteration of the Latin word for shepherd. In every other place where this Greek word is used it is translated shepherd. Now why would the translators change the word in this one place?
Perhaps Jim Rutz, in his book Megashift answers this question when he notes that during the translation of the King James Version, the presiding archbishop added his own editorial changes at the last minute to support the hierarchical structure of the church. This is probably one of those places. Another is in 1 Timothy 3:1, This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. In the original there is no word that could be translated office, and the word bishop is simply overseer. You get the idea.
The ones functioning in one of the fivefold (fourfold?) ministries have been referred to over the years as filling the "office" of one of these ministries, thus exalting them to a place of prestige and authority over others not so recognized.
In the drive to turn the church into an organization managed by man, rather than a body directed by its Head, we have taken functions to be fulfilled by members of the body and changed them into offices to be revered by men.
Jesus said:
But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted (Matthew 23:8-12).
Do you think he really meant it? Yet the church has created a group of people who are called reverend.
Second, why is a distinction made between an ordained clergyman and the rest of the body of Christ?
The shepherd is not an exalted person with a unique, God-applied ordination. Rather a shepherd is a mature servant of the Chief Shepherd caring for a part of the flock. But be careful, that flock is also referred to in Scripture as a kingdom of priests ordained by God. This is God's view of all believers. (1 Peter 2:4,9; Revelation 1:5, 5:10).
It is my view that God-through the function of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers-is continually reproducing their ministry from among that kingdom of priests and giving more of them to the church (Ephesians 4:11ff). In the beginning their sphere of function is limited, but as their service matures, God expands their reach. When I had occasion to officiate at a wedding, part of my ministry included a prayer of ordination for the husband as the shepherd of his own household.
The secular/sacred divide and the clergy/laity divide were, in my opinion, the first devastating heresy to be embraced by the early church.
The only "laymen" are those who have not partaken of God's provision in Jesus.
Our third problem with this definition is the last phrase: . . . who runs a church. In effect this redefines the church from being a living organism, a body directed by its head, and changes it to an organization. The pastor then becomes the CEO with responsibility for the programs and success of the corporation. The New Testament defines the church as a group called out of the world to become the manifest body of Christ on the earth, guided and taught by the Holy Spirit at the direction of the Head-Jesus the Christ.
This moves the pastor from the role of a servant to the body, to that of a lord ruling the body. Don't get me wrong. There are many functioning in the role of pastor who are truly functioning as servants. Unfortunately there are also many who are building their own kingdom of followers.
All right, who are these shepherds?
There are three places in the New Testament where people are instructed to function as shepherds.
The first occurred when Jesus was met with the disciples after His resurrection. He had this dialog with Peter:
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?"
Peter said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
Jesus said to him, "Tend My lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"
Peter said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?"
Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."
Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep" (John 21:15-17. Peter's name added for clarity).
The second was by the apostle Paul during a meeting with the elders from Ephesus:
Be on guard for yourselves and for 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 know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert (Acts 20:28 31a).
The third was in a letter from Peter to a broad group of believers throughout Asia Minor.
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to {the will of} God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock (1 Pet. 5:1-3).
In these last two examples the instruction was to the elders of the church in the areas addressed. It is also interesting to note that three terms are used together here which traditionally have been used to describe different individuals.
The word presbuteros which is translated elder (in some cases old man), describes the maturity of the ones functioning in this role.
The next two words describe the function of the elders. First, poimaino-an admonition to shepherd the flock of God, then episkopos or the verb episkopoi-an overseer, or to function as an overseer. In the King James Version, this is also translated bishop.
From these two passages we see that the elders are to function as shepherds and overseers. But now wait a minute. I thought Peter was an apostle. Yet here in 1 Peter 5 he identifies himself as a fellow elder, and Jesus gave him a commission to shepherd His sheep. Perhaps the division between functions is not as clear as some would have you believe.
Are there other shepherds beside the elders? I believe so. To help us determine this, let's consider the next question:
What are the characteristics of a shepherd?
If we were living in the first century, we probably would not have to ask this question. Most of the recipients of these admonitions would already be thoroughly familiar with the work of a shepherd. Yet as we will see, Jesus raised that understanding to a whole new level.
The dictionary defines a shepherd as a man or woman employed in tending, feeding, and guarding sheep, especially a flock grazing at large. That's a good starting place, but the only way we will understand God's standard is to consider what Jesus said about Himself. To set the scene for this consideration, remember that all the flock belongs to the Great Shepherd. We are but under-shepherds. Yet our call is to be like Him and to function as He did.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."
This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them (John 10:1-6).
In this passage we see the legitimate right Jesus has to the flock. But there are also some lessons here for those of us who are called to function as under-shepherds.
First, we must be given the legitimate right to shepherd a portion of the flock. There are those, we are warned, who will try to lead off parts of the body to be their own disciples. Only if God lets the sheep know that you are their shepherd can you legitimately enter into that role. How? . . . he calls his own sheep by name. The Holy Spirit confirms that relationship.
Second, the flock must know that they hear the voice of the Shepherd through you and not the voice of a stranger. There must be a close relationship established with the members of the flock which will permit them to come to that assurance.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).
Our objective as under-shepherds must be the same as His-to lead the sheep into His abundant life.
"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep" (John 10:11).
This truly raises the standard. Although this could refer to physical death and martyrdom-and it has through the ages in many places where the church has been openly persecuted-the word life here is also translated soul in many other places. I believe the more common application of this phrase would describe setting aside personal desire and ambition to serve the needs of the "sheep". This could be as simple as ministering over the phone to a tormented brother or sister at three o'clock in the morning. Or it could involve taking a displaced family into your home when you are not sure you have enough to meet your own needs.
In other words, we are talking about self-sacrifice in the fulfillment of our service to one another. In John 15:13 Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. This good shepherd is one who loves, fulfilling Jesus commandment to love, those whom God has called him or her to serve.
The next verse provides a stark contrast,
"He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep" (John 10:12-13).
Unfortunately, there is evidence that many who are called pastors today function in their role because of the reputation or income. When trouble comes they sacrifice the sheep for their own ambition.
Again He emphasizes His relationship with His sheep and the ends to which He is willing to go in serving their needs. As far as the application to us as under-shepherds, I want to emphasize His statement that He knows the sheep and they know Him. I cannot be a good shepherd unless I know the ones for whom I have this responsibility.
"I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15).
Recently a sister told me that in all her twelve years in different area churches, she had never been able to sit down with the pastor to talk about her sense of call.
One last verse has something to say about the role of a good shepherd:
"I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd" (John 10:16).
If I have the interests of the Chief Shepherd at heart, I will recognize, love, and encourage other under-shepherds and sheep who are not a part of my fold. The unity of the flock is one of His priorities, therefore it should be ours. After all, they're His flock, not ours.
As we consider the function of an under-shepherd, the shepherding metaphor becomes a little confusing because all of us who are under-shepherds are also sheep of His flock. If we ever forget this we are in danger of trying to take His place in the life of those entrusted to our care. Perhaps the confusion will not be as great if we remember that the Great Shepherd is also referred to as the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the earth on our behalf.
What, then, does a true under-shepherd do?
First and foremost the under-shepherds are concerned with the desires of the Chief Shepherd. Listening to, and obeying Him are their primary function. In this they emulate the Chief Shepherd who said, I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me (John 5:30).
Next, the under-shepherds tend His sheep. This list describes the nature of that care.
• They lead the sheep to pasture and water where the sheep can find food and drink. Note that they do not hand feed any but those who are sick.
• They stand watch and protect the sheep from predators and attractions which would lead them away from good food.
• They come alongside sheep who are hurting or sick to comfort them and bind up their wounds.
• They know the sheep well enough to recognize their needs. The sheep know them well enough to follow their lead.
• They teach the sheep to recognize and follow the Chief Shepherd's voice. They strive to direct the dependence of the sheep on the Chief Shepherd-not on themselves.
• They correct straying sheep and draw them back to the safe pasture.
• In critical times they place the needs of the sheep ahead of their own desires-they lay down their lives for the sheep.
As I consider this list, it occurs to me that most of these items are descriptions, given in Scripture, of what the Holy Spirit does. Since we have received the Holy Spirit, we can expect that the Holy Spirit is functioning as the Shepherd through us as we depend on Him to guide us. This also means that if we have learned to walk by the Spirit we are qualified to be an under-shepherd.
Why do we desire a senior pastor?
I confess that I find that I am sometimes perplexed while trying to describe the way we are functioning. There is a subtle, but strong, pressure to conform to the way other churches and tradition tell us we should be organized.
Perhaps our desire to have the professional experts lead us results from a desire to have someone to tell us how to "do" the Christian life rather than we ourselves drawing close to God, and paying the price of total surrender to Him.
In Exodus, Moses faced a similar attitude.
And all the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die." And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin. So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was (Exodus 20:18-21).
The people's point was well taken, because none of us can reliably hear God without dying to the self-life.
We don't need a human "king" or "pastor" to come between us and our Father. God himself wants to be our King and Shepherd.
Back to the original question: Why don't we have a pastor?
The quick answer is: we do! The elders are seven men who have committed themselves to shepherding the congregation. But they are not the only ones. In the section on pastors, the bylaws of the Tabernacle say this:
In keeping with Acts 20:28 the Elders have the primary pastoral responsibility of the Tabernacle Church. However, it is anticipated the pastoral role will largely be fulfilled by members of the body as they are encouraged by the Elders to function in their gifting and call.
There are many in this congregation who are now functioning as shepherds. No one who heard the testimonies at Fred Troili's memorial service can have any doubt that he and Loraine have functioned as shepherds for years. I could name many others. Godly parents have a call to shepherd families. Anyone who is discipling others is functioning as a shepherd.
There are more who have heard the call of God to shepherd one or two others (or maybe more) but have not stepped into that role because they are waiting for some authority (the paid professionals) to sanction their participation. The elders are here to encourage you and to confirm it when you believe you have heard such a call, but you are already ordained of God to function in the role to which He has called you. By faith step out into the untried waters and let Him show Himself strong as he enables you to carry out his mandate.
By now you know that this is not a function that can be fulfilled in a few hours or days. Many times it will involve sticking with a person when you would rather give up. But the joy you experience when you see the moments of discovery and times of dramatic growth are more than adequate reward for the sacrifices involved in functioning as an under-shepherd of the Great Shepherd and Lamb of God.
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From Jesus' final words in Matthew, most often called the great commission, we are all called to disciple others. If this is so, we are also called to be under-shepherds. Some modern descriptions of the qualities of this function include mentoring, fathering, and mothering. All of these imply a committed long term relationship that does not give up when the going gets tough.
None of what I've said above denies that there are some individuals who have been uniquely equipped by gifting and experience for this role. We have a few prime examples in our fellowship. They are examples from which we can all learn to function well in our own calling.
God spoke to one of our brothers and said that he would not send in the children until there were fathers ready to take on the responsibility of raising them. That is what this paper is all about. Preparing us for the influx of new believers I believe we are about to experience. Lets get ready!
Roger Wilson
Tabernacle Community
1619 Ferndale Ave.
Melbourne, FL 32935
(321) 259-2024 •
