The Pastor and His Church

*This passage ends by giving some closing exhortations.

*In short, this passage says a lot to the body about how to relate to the pastor.

*Let me be clear about several things before I begin:

• This is not about getting a raise.
• This is not because I am mad or have an ax to grind.

 *We cover this passage because it is important for us to think about.

*Regarding the pastor's treatment, this passage gives us two things to do and two reasons why we do them.

What Must be Done:

Follow their spiritual leadership.

In vs. 17, the author described the submission that is due to pastoral leaders. He says, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive.” Now the word “obey” means to obey, and the word “submissive” means to submit or yield under. Some use passages like these to demand improper allegiance and loyalty. In fact, one defining feature of many cults and heretical groups is the tyrannical force of a dominant leader. This is a shame as it seems to misrepresent what is being said and makes passages like this unnecessarily controversial. To avoid this mistake, we should keep several things in mind.

Other, worldly models of leadership are not good examples. We sometimes see pastoral leadership compared to:

• CEOs. When we follow this model, we tend only to be concerned with the number of people or the amount of money. We are not a business. Money and big numbers are not the goal.
• A General or President. When we follow this model, we get to be dictatorial. This is not a democracy, and I am not a general or the president. Also, deacons are not elected officials or representatives.

Pastors are called to be servants. Quite frankly, the Scriptures paint a rather humbled picture of the pastor. Consider the following:

• Mark 10:41-45. “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
• I Peter 5:2-4. “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;  and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

Ultimate earthly authority rests in the body. Here I show my Baptist convictions. But ultimately, the Body has greater authority than any one man. We see this in several ways.

• Church Discipline.
• Church Doctrine.

Christ is our King. Jesus is the King, and the church belongs to Kim.

• “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…” (Matt. 28)
• “Shepherd the flock of God…” (I Pet. 5:2-4)

Thus, these factors remind us that the pastor’s leadership is not one of tyranny or absolute rule.

However, the words “obey” and “submit” are real words, and we cannot ignore them. So what do they mean? Taking everything together, it seems that the Bible calls us to respectfully follow the leadership of our pastors unless they contradict the gospel in word or deed.

Thus, pastoral leadership should be respected and followed.

Pray for them.

In vs. 18, the author also calls us to pray for our spiritual leaders. He says, “Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.” As we will see in just a moment, the pastor carries a weighty spiritual burden. But, this is also seen in what has been said already. As those who give spiritual leadership to the body, there are numerous things we need prayer for.

Purity and godliness. vs. 18 gives us insight into what we need this for. It is so that we will “have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.” Pastors are to be godly examples to the body. Yet, they are also men with clay feet. Thus, of all people, we need prayer.

Wisdom. Given the spiritual nature of this job, navigating through different issues can be difficult. This is needed for several reasons:

• Dealing with difficult people.
• Directing the life of the church.
• Counseling.

Strength. Like other things, this role can wear one down. We need strength to endure all things.

Love. Pray that, above all, we maintain our love for Christ and people.

Thus, the pastor needs prayer desperately.

Why it Must be Done:

Because they watch over and account for your souls.

In vs. 17b, the author explains why we should respectfully follow these leaders and pray for them. He says, “for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” Simply put, the pastor gives an account for each person’s soul. This doesn’t free you from your own personal responsibility to be godly or obey Christ. It simply means that I will be judged on how faithful I was to instruct you in the word of God and exhort you in godliness.

As such, since I will account for each of you, pray for me.

Because it blesses the body.

In vs. 17c, he mentions one final reason for the above. He says, “Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” The reasoning here is clear. When the body makes the pastor’s job overly difficult, this makes the pastor’s job impossible, and a host of unhealthy situations begin to emerge.

• Loss of joy, empty preaching.
• Frequent changes of the pastor, loss of continuity.
• Unhealthy hostilities.
• Many more.

Thus, we should recognize that a happy pastor normally results in a healthy body.

Conclusion

• Do you respect your pastors, or do you undermine them?
• Do you pray for them and do what you can to encourage them?
• Are you prepared for your own judgment?
• Do you long for a healthy body?