YARDSTICKS (They Were Mistaken), Part 6
(What is a Pastor?)
Introduction
Have you ever considered the words you use? Many don't. The crime of speaking flippantly and erroneously slips right by the consciences of many a person. Even more ellusive is the danger associated with using words inappropriately. Really!
What would happen if you thought "one" was "five"? For one, there would be plenty of errors in your checkbook. If you exchanged "doctor" for "lawyer", it would be very difficult to convince you to see the right person regarding certain issues in your life. For a baker, if "cup" or "liter" were misdefined or misidentified, well, I wouldn't want to eat their wares. Words and definitions we assign to them are critical.
I get teased, from time-to-time, (and attacked as well) by people who, in their heart, wonder why Remnant Online always contained information telling you what the Greek or Hebrew word is for something being discussed. There are three main reasons for this:
- Because those who teach have a responsibility to "prove all things" so
that the hearers can "hold fast to that which is good", I submit to this
instruction. Can you imagine how certain things would read without that data?
Certain statements become dogmatic and, hence, devalued if you DON'T prove
your point -- proving the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
- Many words don't mean what they think we mean. Misdefining words leads
to error. Since it's our job to help people overcome error, providing evidence
of accuracy requires that we provide the information. There are way too many
folks out there who want you and I to take them at their word.
- Because it is an act of love.
NOTE: The writers of the scriptures didn't have to do such things because what they meant or what they were saying was understood, just as in a conversation today. We may have to explain what a certain word means during a conversation, but there is little to no need for an exposition on a word used in a conversation. In dealing with teaching -- especially teaching based on manuscripts from another time and culture -- it is imperative that such information be provided to the hearers. Interestingly, the very word that you don't think you need to look up may contain a great deal of revelation. Hence, when led, look it up. Not in a standard dictionary, but in something like the Strong's dictionary or the Vines or in a lexicon. Many words don't mean the same thing as they did many years ago. To be slack in this area is to be at fault and lazy in your study.
I said all of that to say this. The word "pastor" has been violated. It has been violated to such a degree that people are only and mostly POSITION-FOCUSED rather than FUNCTION-FOCUSED. In other words, people think of a person because they HOLD THE POSITION, whereas God sees a person as a TRUE PASTOR because they PERFORM THE FUNCTION. Which one are you?
Because of this violation, many in Christendom are MISTAKEN in their walk and are at fault in their honor. Today's message puts this matter in perspective, taking a look at what a pastor is.
What is a Pastor?
By definition (yep, here we go again), the following functionality is identified:
- to tend a flock
- to lead to pasture
- to rule
- to associate with (as a friend)
- a herdsman (i.e., a shepherd)
- the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly
The Strong's Lexicon shares the following information:
The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were: 1) to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep; 2) to defend the sheep from attackers; 3) to heal the wounded and sick sheep; 4) to find and save lost or trapped sheep; 5) to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust. During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.
Definitions in mind, the scriptures, of course, provide pinpointed insight regarding what a pastor is (and what a pastor is not). A concordant study of the word "pastor" reveals the following scriptures:
- (Jeremiah 2:8) The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they
that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against
me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do
not profit.
This scripture, the first occurrence of the word "pastor" in the Bible, reveals that pastors/leaders aren't always functional. These pastors did not lead in accordance with the will of God.
- (Jeremiah 3:15) And I will give you pastors according to mine heart,
which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
This passage reveals pastors in an absolute sense. In other words, it gives us insight regarding qualities that a true pastor will have.
- (Jeremiah 10:21) For the pastors are become brutish, and have not
sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks
shall be scattered.
This passage reveals that some pastors are stupid and lazy. Such pastors can also be identified by the behavior of the sheep in their care -- scattered. Jesus made a statement in Mark 6:34 -- "And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things."
- (Jeremiah 12:10) Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they
have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion
a desolate wilderness.
Pastors, if they function properly, will have a beneficial effect on those whom they are responsible for. Jeremiah has already established the fact that the pastors during his ministry were out of order. This passage reveals some of the effects. Eventually, the people went into captivity, which is also a result of not having good pastors or not allowing oneself to be pastored.
- (Jeremiah 17:16) As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor
to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that
which came out of my lips was right before thee.
This passage provides a little insight into pastoral conduct. A pastor MUST be a follower of the Lord. It contributes to success. First Timothy 4:16 says, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." A leader who, himself/herself, fully commits to proper discipleship will save themselves and those who hear them.
- (Jeremiah 22:22) The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy
lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded
for all thy wickedness.
Pastors who don't serve the Lord will be destroyed (and show signs of such during their lifetime).
- (Jeremiah 23:1-2) Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter
the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. {2} Therefore thus saith the LORD
God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered
my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will
visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
As stated, the pastors in Jeremiah's day, were not fulfilling the function of their office. They weren't doing their job. Because of this, they were judged (pronouncing of woe) and the people who were subject to them also suffered. The key word in verse 2 is "visited them". The leaders were not "visiting" the people. Here's a good example of the point made in the introduction. This doesn't mean that they didn't stop by someone's home. The word "visited" in the Hebrew means "to oversee or care for". The main means by which a leader cares for God's people is by distributing the information that God has prescribed. Many leaders withhold information from their congregations. This is not only an act of malpractice, but it is an act of hatred. Hence, such a leader can only expect woe from the Lord. When people are not taught -- fed with wisdom and knowledge -- they are scattered.
- (Ephesians 4:11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers....
God gave leadership. As stated last week, He did this with a purpose in mind and expects several results. Ephesians 4:12-16 tells us what those results are -- "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: {13} Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: {14} That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; {15} But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: {16} From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."
If a pastor is not doing his/her job, the people/sheep under their care will lack the items listed above. People who aren't being pastored don't have what it takes for unit. People are aren't truly being pastored lack knowledge (and don't grow in knowledge -- not the things God wants them to know). People without proper leadership don't lead a life of edification. They may do a lot around the church, but there are no signs of edification (e.g., wisdom, proper behavior, a passion for God, commitment to God's people regardless of what church they attend, etc.). People who are pastored properly are stable and aren't taken aback when they hear doctrines of destruction.
Additional information about pastoring can be gleaned from reading passages about shepherds since, in truth, the functions are basically the same. Another key word is "watchman". They serve the same purpose as pastors. Time (and space) won't allow us to get that detailed today, but I trust that the Lord will fill in the gaps.
Okay. All this evidence presented, here's the gist of today's message. While many will use the word pastor, many are unaware of a pastor's job/responsibility -- including people who claim to be pastors or called to be pastors.
For those who are not pastors, such a miscue can and will lead to being led to hell. Remember, pastors are responsible for leading sheep to safety, for feeding (with knowledge and understanding -- not tradition and political agendas), for instructing, for protecting, etc. When these things aren't done, the people in their "care" actually lack these things and will suffer accordingly.
For those who are pastors or called to be pastors, focusing on position rather than function will lead to a skewed perspective of what the position calls for. Eventually, if this crime runs its course, such a person will actually result in death and the leader being "convicted of murder".
Really. Would you leave your children with a babysitter that doesn't know what they're doing? Would you continue seeing a doctor that doesn't have a clue? Would you allow a doctor to perform surgery on you when it's obvious that they can't see? Likewise, Christendom is in turmoil because there are people who continue to submit to and support PASTORS THAT AREN'T PASTORS.
That's it. Are you a pastor? Okay. I have another question. Are you REALLY a pastor? Do you:
- Feed the sheep based on the diet prescribed by God -- with knowledge and understanding?
- Protect the sheep from predatory people, helping to keep them from being merchandised, taken advantage of and misled?
- Make yourself available as a friend -- being accessible (without bodyguards like you're some kind of rock star or the president)?
- Speak the truth (with the hearers benefit in mind) or do you withhold information, trying to protect people's feelings and/or trying to keep people from leaving because you're afraid to lose their tithe support?
- Seek the Lord to confirm the accuracy of your thoughts, the things you believe and what you should say to God's people -- determined not to speak from your own mind and own heart?
- Strive to make sure that you're not lazy, self-centered and personal agenda-oriented?
Is the person you're calling a pastor a pastor? A real pastor???
- Do they tell you the truth no matter what?
- Are they afraid to hurt your feelings?
- Do they feed you?
- Do they help you to understand what you need to succeed in Christ?
- Are you able to interact with them without waiting for an appointment three months down the road?
- Are they a servant or are you doing all the work and he/she is just doing all the yakking?
If you're not a real pastor and you're really called, God is challenging you today to repent and get yourself together. This goes for any elders -- the pastors of tomorrow. Don't be like many of our forefathers -- womanizers, power-hungry, lousy discernment, merchandising, lazy, violent, political instead of practical (not keeping God's commandments and doing whatever it takes to make people happy so they'll stay), exalting family members at the expense of the ministry, refusing (or afraid) to deal with sin, protecting people because of their involvement or ministerial support, more worried about money than ministerial integrity, etc. We've had to deal with enough of that foolishness!!! Isaiah spoke of such -- (Isaiah 56:10-11) His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
GOD WANTS REAL PASTORS AND SO SHOULD WE!!!!!!!
Per the Lord's instructions, I'm serving notice today that many people need to embrace Proverbs 14:7 which says, "Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge." Once you know there's a problem, you're completely accountable.
How about it? Do you know what a pastor is? To you see it the way God sees it? A real pastor, one after God's heart, doesn't lead people to death. He leads people to life -- dwelling by the still waters and through the valley of the shadow of death. We need to pay more attention to the words we use and make sure that they apply. As stated, unfortunately, some of us will be subject to error on this one and it will cost somebody their soul.
Until next time, keep the word and be blessed!
Remnant Online: Volume 6, Issue 14 -- Yardsticks (They Were
Mistaken), Part 6 -- What is a Pastor?
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