"The Office of Pastor"
First Timothy 3.1-7

P reacher
A dvisor
S hepherd
T eacher
O verseer
R evivalist

P reacher

2 Tim 4:2 

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Publicly proclaim the Word of God

Prophet of God - Forthtelling v. Fortelling Preaching is the most public and first duty.
Feeding the Flock of God  -

1 Pet 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Deals in verities, not vagaries

Cannot coddle, soft pedal, pamper.

Preach the Word =
A sword that cuts
A fire that burns
A light that exposes

But it is also
A medicine that heals
A food that nourishes
A guide that leads to fellowship

Preaching is at once a great burden and privilege


A dvisor
Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Pastor is the chief burden bearer
Some do not want counsel, they want approval.
Pastor is not a universal expert, but God gives him amazing insight for the sheep.
Talk to your pastor about careers, school, residence, church relationships,
Sometimes he is accused of being disinterested when he is not even aware of a situation.
Isa 40:1  Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Acts 20:27  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

S hepherd
Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

1 Pet 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
1 Pet 5:3  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples
to the flock.
1 Pet 5:4  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
1 Pet 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Pastor=  4166. poimen, poy-mane'; of uncert. affin.; a shepherd (lit. or fig.):--shepherd, pastor.

Task is diverse, involves the total well-being of the flock.
A city lady visited a sheep ranch. Saw a shepherd carrying a lamb with a broken leg. Shepherd admitted breaking it intentionally and explained. The sheep was wild, uncontrollable, led others astray, and was in danger of being killed by wild animals while out of the shepherd's sight and care. Now with a broken leg it was carried and cared for by the shepherd personally. When it was back to full health it would be the close and constant companion of the one who had loved it and nursed it back to health.

No shepherd will intentionally destroy his own flock, but he will take necessary measures to protect them. He will not take skins, but shear wool for productivity and comfort. He will attend them in reproduction - soul winning. He will lead, guard, train them Shepherds lead a solitary life, and have no shepherds of their own.

Most could find better paying employment, but choose to follow the call of God to this task.
Heb 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Not really chosen by the flock, but placed by God and accepted by the flock.

Jer 3:15  And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

T eacher
1 Tim 3:2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
One third of the Great Commission.
Requires Study.
2 Tim 2:15  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Requires time for preparation, not understood by many.
2 Tim 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Task of teaching others to teach is great.

O verseer
Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
This word "Overseer isused five times in OT, once in NT.
Pastor is held accountable for church in all aspects and should have the authority commensurate with the responsibility.
Heb 5:4  And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Paul mentioned the weight of care:
2 Cor 11:28  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

R evivalist
2 Tim 4:5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Revival means to put new live into something that is old and dead.
Sometimes resuscitation involves shock therapy.


from Dr. Robert A. Woosley, President
L. D. Woosley Bethany Colleges
Makati City, Philippines