The Pastor - Ep 4:11-12
a study by Pastor Montgomery

His Calling
Ac 20:28, the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers

His Titles
Pastor, Ep 4:11-12, poimen {poy-mane'}
         - translated "shepherd" in all other NT passages, i.e. Heb 13:20; I Pet 2:25)
Bishop, Php 1:1 (officers of the church); I Pe 2:25, episkopos {ep-is'-kop-os}
         - I Ti 3:1, "office" of a bishop
         - translated "overseer" in Acts 20:28
         - is also a shepherd, I Pe 2:25
Elder, I Ti 5:17, presbuteros {pres-boo'-ter-os}
         - same as bishop/overseer, see Ac 20:17-28; Ti 1:5-7
         - same as shepherd/pastor, see Ac 20:17, 28
                   - I Pe 5:1-4, vs. 2, poimaino poimnion, "feed the flock"
                                       vs. 2, episkopeo, "taking the oversight"

His Qualifications
         - I Timothy 3:1-7
         - Titus 1:6-9

His Ordination
         - Act 14:23, ordain elders in "every" church
         - Tit 1:5, ordain elders in "every" city
         - (Notes at end of II Tim and Tit, Timothy and Titus were ordained bishops)

         - Act 13:2-3, laid hands on missionaries
         - I Ti 4:14, laying on of the hands of the presbytery (council of elders)

His Responsibilities
         (summarized in I Pe 5:2-3:  feed, oversight (lead, care), ensample)
         - Feed - Preach & Teach the Word (as Shepherd/Pastor)
                   - Ac 20:27, all the counsel of God
                   - Ep 4, perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, the edifying of the body of Christ, speaking the                                  Truth in love         
                   - I Ti 3, apt to teach         
                   - I Ti 5:17, labour in Word and doctrine         
                   - II Ti 4:2, preach the Word - instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with longsuffering and                            doctrine
                   - Ti 1, holding fast the faithful Word, exhort and convince gainsayers
                   - Ti 2, speak the things which become sound doctrine

         - Oversee/Lead (as Overseer/Bishop)         
                   - Jn 10, go before, give life for, protect, know the sheep
                   - II Ti 2, commit truth to faithful men         
                   - II Ti 4, reprove, rebuke         
                   - Ti 2, rebuke with all authority         

         - Care For (as Shepherd/Pastor)
                   - Jn 10, go after the wayward
                   - Ti 1, steward of God (accountable)  
                   - I Ti 3, hospitable, take care of the church
                   - He 13:17, watch for their souls, do it with joy

         - Be An Example (as Elder)         
                   - I Ti 3, blameless, vigilant, sober, good behaviour, no stricker, not greedy, patient, not a brawler, not                                    covetous, house in subjection, not prideful, not a novice, good report without
                   - I Ti 4, word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith, purity, exercise self unto godliness, no man despise him
                   - I Ti 6, flee riches, follow righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness         
                   - II Ti 4, do the work of an evangelist
                   - Ti 1, not self-willed, not soon angry, just, holy, temperate
                   - Ti 2, pattern of good works, gravity, sincerity, sound speech

His Authority
         - Rom 12:8, he that ruleth
         - I Th 5:12-13, over you in the Lord
         - I Ti 3:4-5, rule
         - I Ti 5:17, elder to rule
         - Tit 2:15, all authority
         - Heb 13:7,17,24, have the rule over (submit to him)
        
The Congregation's Responsibility to Him
         - I Th 5:12-13, esteem very highly in love, know him
         - I Ti 5:17-18, count worthy of double honour, take care of his needs
         - I Ti 5:19, don't receive accusation but before 2 or 3 witnesses
         - Heb 13:7, remember him, follow his faith
         - Heb 13:17, obey him, submit to him