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Where in the Bible can I find scriptures on a pastor's responsibilities to his congregation?

Here are the passages in the New Testament where the Greek word (noun) for pastor is found:

  • Matt. 9:36; 25:32; 26:31;
  • Mk. 6:34; 14:27;
  • Lk. 2:8, 15, 18, 20;
  • Jn. 10:2, 11f, 14, 16;
  • Eph. 4:11;
  • Heb. 13:20;
  • 1 Pet. 2:25

Here is the verb form of the word for "to shepherd"

  • Matt. 2:6;
  • Lk. 17:7;
  • Jn. 21:16;
  • Acts 20:28;
  • 1 Co. 9:7;
  • 1 Pet. 5:2;
  • Jude 1:12;
  • Rev. 2:27; 7:17; 12:5; 19:15

I would understand the Scriptures to teach that there is a gift of pastor-teacher, but that this is not an office. The two leadership offices in the New Testament are those of elders and deacons (see, for example, 1 Timothy 3). It is the elders of the congregation who are to "shepherd the flock of God" (1 Peter 5:1-2).

The Old Testament had strong words of condemnation for those who were false shepherds (including the promise of God coming as the Good Shepherd):

  • Jeremiah 10:21; 12:10; 23:1-6; 31:10
  • Ezekiel 34

Our Lord had strong words to say about the Jewish religious leaders (the Pharisees and particular), for their wrong leadership style -- see Matthew chapter 23.

Jesus comes as the Good Shepherd -- John 10

Paul describes the kind of leadership he has shown:

  • Acts 20:17-25
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:3-12

And he (Paul) contrasts his leadership with the "false apostles" -- 2 Corinthians 11 (notice, not just here, but elsewhere, his gentleness, their severity; his humility, their arrogance; his suffering, their self-indulgence)

In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus chapter 1 Paul gives the qualifications for the office of elder (and deacon in 1 Timothy 3).

Peter also has something to say about leadership, both good (1 Peter 5:1-5) and bad (2 Peter 2 & 3).

You should also take a look at these passages:

  • John 21:15-19
  • 1 & 2 Timothy
  • Ephesians 4:7-13
  • Philippians 2 (notice first the example of our Lord, then of Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus), and chapter 3
  • 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 8:13--9:23
  • 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:1-2
  • 1 Timothy 5:17-18

There are also texts which address our submission to elders and our support of their ministry, which we dare not ignore:

  • Galatians 6:6
  • 1 Timothy 5:17-18
  • Hebrews 13:17

Also Paul gives instructions about the correction of elders in 1 Timothy 5:19-20

Related Topics: Issues in Church Leadership/Ministry

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