The Pastor in the Bible

The word "pastor" means shepherd, and Scripture uses the image of shepherding to describe those whom God appoints to lead, feed, and guard His people. The heart of the calling is rooted in God's own promise to His flock: "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding" (JER.3.15). A true pastor is God's gift, given to nourish the church with sound teaching rather than to satisfy his own ambition. The risen Christ pressed this charge upon Peter, asking him three times if he loved Him and commanding, "Feed my sheep" (JHN.21.16). Love for Christ is the indispensable qualification for loving and feeding Christ's people. The pastoral office carries solemn responsibility. Paul charged the Ephesian elders, "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" (ACT.20.28). The flock belongs to God, bought at the price of the cross, so shepherds are stewards accountable to Him. Pastors are listed among Christ's gifts to His church: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (EPH.4.11), given to equip the saints for ministry and to build up the body in maturity. Scripture also sets the character a pastor must display. He must be "blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach" (1TI.3.2). Peter urges elders to "feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly" (1PE.5.2), serving from glad-hearted devotion rather than reluctant duty or greed for gain. The motive that sustains faithful shepherding is the hope of Christ's reward: "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1PE.5.4). The pastor, then, is an undershepherd serving beneath the Good Shepherd, called to feed, lead, protect, and love the people Christ died to save, awaiting the day when the Chief Shepherd is revealed.