The Identity of the New Testament Pastor

THE IDENTITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT PASTOR

Thomas Anokye-Gyambrah

Pastoral Theology 6303

January 28, 2011

Shepherding, A Term for Pastoral Office

The five distinct terms used for the pastoral office by John Macarthur are elder (presbyteros), bishop or overseer (episkopos), shepherd or pastor (poimen), preacher (kerux), and teacher (didaskalos). My favorite term among these five is the shepherd or pastor. Macarthur shares that shepherding or pastor (poimen) is a position that denotes leadership and authority (Acts 20:28-31; Eph. 4:11) as well as guidance and provision (1 Pet. 2:25; 5:2-3). "A pastor is one who tends or herds flocks; feeding, guiding, and superintending them. A pastor exercises oversight of the flock of God, the believers. A pastor is a shepherd." My reasons for choosing pastor or shepherd among the others are discussed below.

Jesus, the God incarnate, is the good shepherd. Jesus says in the gospel of John, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.... I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:11, 14-16).

The pastor as a shepherd realizes that he is called to provide for those who are already in the fold (believers) and to go and bring those who are not in the fold through evangelism. Sheep have poor sense of direction (Jer. 50:6), and need to be sought after diligently (Eze. 34:12).

The pastor is called to the office not to seek for himself but to serve the saints of the Kingdom of God. He serves the people through the ministry of comfort, encouragement, joy (Rom. 12:15), feeding, nurturing, and maturing the members of his flock (Matt. 18:2-6, 11; John 21:15-18).

The Importance of Understanding the Identity and Office of the Pastor

The pastoral office was created by Jesus Christ for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12). "The pastoral office is to provide guidance, care, and oversight for the church so that it fulfills its Christ-ordained mandate of evangelizing the entire world, growing into the likeness of Christ, and existing for the exaltation and worship of God." Understanding the identity and office of the pastor will enable the pastor or those who have sensed the call of God on their lives to pastor to know what is required o f them. This will assist the pastor to bring to pass the church's purpose.

The pastor realizes his call to the ministry of the Word of God. The pastor is called to preach and teach the Word to the saints so as to bring them to maturity (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Ps. 19:7-11). The saints will then grow in faith and love (Rom. 10:17).

According to Getz, "The focus of the Christian community is a continual devotion to caring for one another. Christians cannot grow effectively in isolation." Knowing this, the pastor is able to find ways to build biblical fellowship which may include agreeing and praying with people, hospital visitations, and group Bible studies.

There is also the ministry of prayer. The apostles prayed that they will be able to preach the word of God with all boldness (Acts 4:23-31). The New Testament pastor is called to pray so that the Will of God will manifest on earth. The pastor is called to personal prayer and corporate or intercessory prayer at church (Acts 1:14; 3:1; 4:23-31; 6:4).

The study of pastoral theology will also help the pastor and the church to be involved in outreach and missions. The only way to reach the unsaved is to go to them (Acts 5:42; 13:1-3).

Define and describe the New Testament Pastor

The New Testament pastor is one of the fivefold ascension ministry gifts that Jesus Christ gave to His Church. Macarthur writes that the word pastor means shepherd. The English word "pastor" comes from the Latin word pastor, which means "herdsman." The Greek word is poimen, which literally means "a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks (not merely one who feeds them). It is a position of service where the pastor sees to it that the souls of the people under his care receive spiritual food necessary for their spiritual growth.

The New Testament pastor is called to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the