What is Your Definition of a Pastor?

What is your definition of a Pastor?

A pastor, whose call to a local church has been providentially ordained, is an undershepherd who steadfastly follows Christ’s revelation and teachings and to accomplish the Lord’s vision.  A Christian pastor also unwaveringly devotes his life to spiritual progress and personal development toward the eternal and earthly purpose of cultivating the character of Jesus Christ.  Practically speaking, a pastor commits daily to spiritual disciplines of self-evaluation, prayer, affirmation of the Word of God, meditation, Bible study, imaging and daily quiet time.  A pastor resolutely and faithfully obeys the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Head of the Church.  Steadfastly ascertaining Christ’s vision for the local church, a pastor diligently seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit as to the most appropriate and effective means of fulfilling the Lord’s directives. 

With God’s grace, love, mercy and peace, a pastor models the Christian life with biblical and personal integrity.  He encourages congregants to strive daily and diligently toward the high calling of knowing Christ as Savior and Lord.  A pastor teaches his congregants the joy of living under the Lordship of Christ.  With genuine humility and a teachable attitude, a pastor grows with his congregation toward authentic discipleship of Christ.

As Christ leads, a pastor casts the Lord’s vision for the local church.  “The Great Commandment” (Matthew 22:34-40) and “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:16-20) are the bookends of that vision.  Genuine discipleship means living with the primary purpose of loving the Lord with their heart, mind, soul and strength.  It further necessitates loving your neighbor as yourself.  A pastor leads congregants in serving the Lord by serving others through ministry in the Church and mission in the world.  Moreover, a pastor determinedly focuses the Church upon its obligation to fulfilling “The Great Commission” via prayer, Christian education, and evangelism. 

I posit a pastor, as the undershepherd, cares for the spiritual, relational and practical needs of his congregation.  Weekly functions include intercessory prayer, counseling, biblically based instruction, preaching, bereavement services, hospital visitation, administration of the holy ordinances of Baptism and The Lord’s Supper, wedding services, family enrichment and other pastoral duties.  The pastor equips the saints in discerning their spiritual gifts for use in ministry and mission.

Essentially, I strive to be the Pastor I want in a pastor.  Rev. Henry T. and Dr. Melvin D. Blackaby succinctly define the position of pastor in their book, A God Centered Church: Experiencing God Together (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2007, p.119).  “The pastor, then, is an undershepherd who obeys Christ as the Shepherd and Head of His own people.  The pastor ensures that every member is not only fully connected to the Head but that each one is growing toward Christlikeness.  He will enlist every member to function in the body where the Father has placed them.  He will then encourage members to live their lives to their maximum potential in Christ.  He will be a spiritual catalyst in the body for Christlikeness.  What a joyful assignment the pastor has been given!  His role is not to get everyone to follow him; his role is to help the members of the church to follow Christ as their Lord.”