Pastoral ResponsibilityPastoral Responsibility

I. Key Passages Relating to Pastoral Ministry

I. Key Passages Relating to Pastoral Ministry

A. Numbers 27:15-17 A. Numbers 27:15-17

B. Psalm 23B. Psalm 23

C. Proverbs 27:23C. Proverbs 27:23

D. Jeremiah 10:21D. Jeremiah 10:21

E. Jeremiah 23:1-4E. Jeremiah 23:1-4

F. Ezekiel 34:1-31F. Ezekiel 34:1-31

G. Zechariah 11:17G. Zechariah 11:17

H. John 10:1-29H. John 10:1-29

II. The Need for True Shepherds or Pastoral Ministry

II. The Need for True Shepherds or Pastoral Ministry

A. God’s people are likened to sheep (Num. 27:17; I Kgs. 22:17; II Chr. 18:16; Zech. 10:2; Mt. 9:36; John 10:14, 27).

A. God’s people are likened to sheep (Num. 27:17; I Kgs. 22:17; II Chr. 18:16; Zech. 10:2; Mt. 9:36; John 10:14, 27).

1. On the negative side, sheep are very needy.

1. On the negative side, sheep are very needy.

Sheep are especially needy because they have:

Sheep are especially needy because they have:

a. No ability to find food on their own (Num. 27:16-17).

a. No ability to find food on their own (Num. 27:16-17).

b. No instinct to return home (Ezek. 34:6-8).

b. No instinct to return home (Ezek. 34:6-8).

c. No natural defense system. c. No natural defense system.

2. On the positive side, sheep were always considered very valuable.

2. On the positive side, sheep were always considered very valuable.

They were valuable to the shepherd because they are able provide most of man’s needs including:

They were valuable to the shepherd because they are able provide most of man’s needs including:

a. Meata. Meat

b. Milkb. Milk

c. Clothingc. Clothing

B. God’s people, like sheep, are in need of shepherding care.

B. God’s people, like sheep, are in need of shepherding care.

III. Biblical Figures and Symbols Connected to Pastoral Ministry

III. Biblical Figures and Symbols Connected to Pastoral Ministry

There are several figures and symbols that are used in the Bible in connection with the shepherding or pastoral ministry. Each one of them emphasizes a different aspect of the function of shepherds.

There are several figures and symbols that are used in the Bible in connection with the shepherding or pastoral ministry. Each one of them emphasizes a different aspect of the function of shepherds.

A. Shepherd (Ezek. 34:7). Emphasis: Feeding and Leading

A. Shepherd (Ezek. 34:7). Emphasis: Feeding and Leading

B. Staff (Ps. 23:4). Emphasis: Rescuing and Guiding

B. Staff (Ps. 23:4). Emphasis: Rescuing and Guiding

C. Stay. Emphasis: Supporting and Upholding

C. Stay. Emphasis: Supporting and Upholding

D. Rod (Mic. 6:9; 7:14). Emphasis: Protecting and Correcting

D. Rod (Mic. 6:9; 7:14). Emphasis: Protecting and Correcting

E. Door (John 10:9). Emphasis: Providing and Inspecting

E. Door (John 10:9). Emphasis: Providing and Inspecting

F. Elder (Acts 20:17, 28). Emphasis: Watching and Maturing

F. Elder (Acts 20:17, 28). Emphasis: Watching and Maturing

IV. The Responsibilities of True Shepherds

IV. The Responsibilities of True Shepherds

The Bible outlines nine areas of function for a true shepherd.

The Bible outlines nine areas of function for a true shepherd.

A. Feeding the Sheep (Ezekiel 34:2, 13-15)

A. Feeding the Sheep (Ezekiel 34:2, 13-15)

1. Feeding involves rightly dividing the word (II Tim. 2:15).

1. Feeding involves rightly dividing the word (II Tim. 2:15).

2. Proper feeding involves a balanced diet (Ps. 85:10).

2. Proper feeding involves a balanced diet (Ps. 85:10).

3. Proper feeding will bring authority and cause gathering (Ezek. 34:13).

3. Proper feeding will bring authority and cause gathering (Ezek. 34:13).

4. Proper feeding will bring rest to the flock (Ezek. 34:14-15).

4. Proper feeding will bring rest to the flock (Ezek. 34:14-15).

5. Proper feeding will produce healthy reproductive sheep (Jer. 23:3-4).

5. Proper feeding will produce healthy reproductive sheep (Jer. 23:3-4).

6. Proper feeding is dependent upon the pastor being fed (I Tim. 4:16).

6. Proper feeding is dependent upon the pastor being fed (I Tim. 4:16).

B. Leading by Example (I Pet. 5:2-3).

B. Leading by Example (I Pet. 5:2-3).

1. Leading is the opposite of driving (Gen. 33:13).

1. Leading is the opposite of driving (Gen. 33:13).

2. Leading involves providing an example that people can follow (Phil. 3:17).

2. Leading involves providing an example that people can follow (Phil. 3:17). 3. Leading involves going the way before the people (John 10:4).

3. Leading involves going the way before the people (John 10:4). 4. Leading involves demonstrating your faith before the sheep (Hebrews 13:7).

4. Leading involves demonstrating your faith before the sheep (Hebrews 13:7).

5. Leading involves maintaining a good report or testimony inside and outside of the church (Acts 6:3; I Tim. 3:7).

5. Leading involves maintaining a good report or testimony inside and outside of the church (Acts 6:3; I Tim. 3:7).

C. Watching Over the Flock (Acts 20:28, 31; II Tim. 4:5).

C. Watching Over the Flock (Acts 20:28, 31; II Tim. 4:5).

1. Watching involves knowing the state of the flock (Pro. 27:23).

1. Watching involves knowing the state of the flock (Pro. 27:23).

a. The word “watch” in the Greek means “to hold to, to turn to, to turn one’s attention to; hence, to give heed to.”

a. The word “watch” in the Greek means “to hold to, to turn to, to turn one’s attention to; hence, to give heed to.”

b. The word “watch” in the English means:

b. The word “watch” in the English means:

• To look or observe attentively or carefully.

• To look or observe attentively or carefully.

• To look and wait expectantly.• To look and wait expectantly.

• To stay awake at night while serving as a guard, sentinel or watchman.

• To stay awake at night while serving as a guard, sentinel or watchman.• To keep vigil• To keep vigil

2. Watching involves judging the saints (I Cor. 5:3).

2. Watching involves judging the saints (I Cor. 5:3).

a. This means being ready for action.

a. This means being ready for action.

b. This means getting involved in negatives.

b. This means getting involved in negatives.

c. This means warning people of impending danger and wolves.

c. This means warning people of impending danger and wolves.

3. Watching involves inspecting the sheep and being aware of needs (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:l, 8,15).

3. Watching involves inspecting the sheep and being aware of needs (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:l, 8,15).

D. Reaching Out and Delivering the Needy (Ps. 23:1).

D. Reaching Out and Delivering the Needy (Ps. 23:1).

1. God sent pastors to meets the needs of His people (Jer. 23:1-4).

1. God sent pastors to meets the needs of His people (Jer. 23:1-4).

a. Physical needs a. Physical needs

This includes things like health, food, clothing and shelter.

This includes things like health, food, clothing and shelter.

b. Emotional needs b. Emotional needs

This may include counseling in areas of addictions, personal stability, grief and stress related issues.

This may include counseling in areas of addictions, personal stability, grief and stress related issues.

c. Financial needs c. Financial needs

This includes issues of provision, prosperity, employment and future planning.

This includes issues of provision, prosperity, employment and future planning.

d. Spiritual needs d. Spiritual needs

This includes personal growth and maturity, family success and relationships between God and man.

This includes personal growth and maturity, family success and relationships between God and man. 2. Pastors are not to wait until the

people come (Ezek. 34:4, 16). 2. Pastors are not to wait until the

people come (Ezek. 34:4, 16).

Pastors are to be proactive when it comes to ministering to the needs of the flock

Pastors are to be proactive when it comes to ministering to the needs of the flock

3. Pastors must be able to give wise counsel (Is. 1:26).

3. Pastors must be able to give wise counsel (Is. 1:26).

E. Maturing the Flock E. Maturing the Flock

1. Maturing involves correcting and disciplining when needed (Tit. 2:15).

1. Maturing involves correcting and disciplining when needed (Tit. 2:15).

2. Maturing involves teaching practical principles of life (Ex. 18:20).

2. Maturing involves teaching practical principles of life (Ex. 18:20).

3. Maturing involves discipleship (Mt. 28:20).

3. Maturing involves discipleship (Mt. 28:20).

4. Maturing involves bringing people into their place of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).

4. Maturing involves bringing people into their place of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).

F. Training and Raising up Leaders (II Tim. 2:2).

F. Training and Raising up Leaders (II Tim. 2:2).

1. Shepherds must multiply their ministry in others (Ex. 18:21-23).

1. Shepherds must multiply their ministry in others (Ex. 18:21-23).

2. Shepherds must be able to identify leaders (Ex. 18:21: Tit. 1:5-6).

2. Shepherds must be able to identify leaders (Ex. 18:21: Tit. 1:5-6).

3. Shepherds must impart their vision to others (Phil. 2:20).

3. Shepherds must impart their vision to others (Phil. 2:20).

4. Shepherds must be able to release others (Num. 11:17, 25, 29).

4. Shepherds must be able to release others (Num. 11:17, 25, 29).

G. Protecting the Sheep (Ezek. 33:6).

G. Protecting the Sheep (Ezek. 33:6).

1. This involves withstanding those who pervert the Gospel (Tit. 1:9-13).

1. This involves withstanding those who pervert the Gospel (Tit. 1:9-13).

a. Guarding against cycles of doctrine (Eph. 4:14).

a. Guarding against cycles of doctrine (Eph. 4:14).

b. Guarding against a mixed Gospel (Gal. 1:9).

b. Guarding against a mixed Gospel (Gal. 1:9).

c. Guarding against wolves who would make spoil of the flock (Acts 20:28-30).

c. Guarding against wolves who would make spoil of the flock (Acts 20:28-30).

2. This involves protecting them from each other.

2. This involves protecting them from each other.

a. Guarding their relationships (Gal. 5:15).

a. Guarding their relationships (Gal. 5:15).

b. Guarding their unity (Eph. 4:3).

b. Guarding their unity (Eph. 4:3).

3. This involves protecting them from themselves.

3. This involves protecting them from themselves.

a. Guarding their schedule. a. Guarding their schedule.

b. Guarding their priorities (Mt. 6:33).

b. Guarding their priorities (Mt. 6:33).

H. Keeping Pure (Acts 20:28). H. Keeping Pure (Acts 20:28).

1. Morally pure (I Tim. 5:22) 1. Morally pure (I Tim. 5:22)

2. Financially pure (I Tim. 6:10) 2. Financially pure (I Tim. 6:10)

a. This means great care in handling finances (I Pet. 5:2).

a. This means great care in handling finances (I Pet. 5:2).

A few tips include…A few tips include…

• Don’t get yourself into personal debt.

• Don’t get yourself into personal debt.

• Keep accurate books of all income and expenses.

• Keep accurate books of all income and expenses.

• Let someone else keep the books and sign the checks.

• Let someone else keep the books and sign the checks.

• Have a team of people count the money, make out the deposit slips and deposit the money.

• Have a team of people count the money, make out the deposit slips and deposit the money.• Be financially accountable.• Be financially accountable.

b. This means being free from get rich schemes (II Tim. 2:4).

b. This means being free from get rich schemes (II Tim. 2:4).

3. Spiritually pure (I Tim. 4:14-16)

3. Spiritually pure (I Tim. 4:14-16)

I. Accounting to the Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:17).

I. Accounting to the Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:17).