Having defined these terms then we need to ask what the primary task for a pastor is in the church. How does he define his job? What is it to be a pastor?
To be clear, the ministry in not a vocation or a profession. It is a calling. We are not professionals. We are not CEOs. We are not business people. We are pastors. And to understand the job we need to understand the terms used throughout Scripture to define the position to which we are called.
The New Testament gives us three words used to describe to office of a pastor. Here they are as the Bible uses ad defines them:
Overseer, or Bishop
Translated from the Greek word episkopas it is a word that means "overseer, guardian, decision maker, or manager." Here are a few verses where the word is used:
1 Peter 2:25 speaks of Christ as the "Overseer of your souls." Philippians 1:1 refers to those who were appointed as elders of the church at Philippi. 1 Tim. 3:1-2 introduces us to a paragraph of Scripture that tells us about the qualities necessary for a man who is given as a pastor to the church. And Acts 20:28 makes reference with this word to the Ephesian elders.
Roman and Greek cultural usage of the word episkopas finds an overseer being the authority figure representing Caesar in a conquered territory (like Pontius Pilate for instance). The term signified the person’s authority, their accountability to a higher power, and their task of introducing a new order of life!
Elder
The word presbuteros is translated "elder". It speaks of a man who is older or mature. In Acts 14:23 we see that a new local church is planted by the appointing of elders. Churches all over Asia are identified as having a leadership structure consisting of elders (1 Peter 1:1; 5:1-2).
Paul sent for the elders of the Ephesian church (Acts 20:17), and he also served as an elder in the church as well as being an Apostle (Acts 13:1). And we see a meeting of these church leaders in Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23; 16:4.
These were men who are mature in the faith, some older in years but all "older" regarding spiritual maturity and character. Biblically, the elders (plural) rule the church by unanimous decision led by the Spirit and guided by the Word of God. (1 Cor 1:10; Eph 4:3; Phil 1:27; Phil 2:2).
Pastor, or Shepherd
The third word used is the word poimen which is translated "pastor." The word means "a shepherd, one who cares for, protects, and leads."
In Heb. 13:20-21 Christ is identified by this term as our shepherd. And interestingly 1 Tim. 5:17 shows us the labor involved in pastoring, speaking about the work of shepherding by referring specifically to the effort of the work, not the amount. And 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9 give us the required qualifications for these men who would shepherd the church of God.
The pastor then is a shepherd, serving under and appointed by Christ to lead, feed, and protect the flock, the local church. The pastors model of course is Christ, who Himself is the Good Shepherd.
In examining these terms then we see that they do describe one man in one office, that of a pastor-teacher. The term elder refers to who the man is (his identity as mature in the faith), the term overseer refers to what he does (his job as manager), and the term pastor refers to his heart as he does the job (his character as a shepherd)!
If a man does not meet the Biblical qualifications for the office (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9), and if he does not actively LIVE the definitions of these descriptive terms for the office, then he should step down and stop pretending to be something he is not.
If he does meet the qualifications then what is his job description? The simplest job description given is found in Acts 6. There we read:
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
There it is. In order to pastor effectively the pastor does not need to be up on the latest academic and doctrinal controversies. He does not have to be versed in the latest best sellers and programs. He does not have to go out of his way to please all the people all the time - that in and of itself is impossible anyway.
In order to be successful, in order to bear fruit, in order to see true growth, and in order to avoid failure, a pastor must be given to prayer and preaching. It really is that simple. He must pray and he must preach. Both must be done fervently and faithfully, at every opportunity, with a view toward faithfulness to God and His Word.
Too many think that they have succeeded and are bearing fruit and are growing and are avoiding failure when in reality they are spending all of their time and energy on everything but prayer and preaching. It is here that we find the difference between the fruit and the fluff. As Ravenhill stated many times, "No man is greater than his prayer life." And this is true - a man who does not pray will not succeed, bear fruit, or grow. But he will fail. And a man who preaches to please and impress men rather than to faithfully declare the Word of the Lord also will not succeed, will not bear fruit, and will not grow. But he will fail.
Why is it then that we have so little fruit and so much fluff in our churches? I think it is because we have moved away from the Biblical model of ministry and we have begun to follow men. We have redefined terms and we are seeking success in worldly terms and are settling for growth that is shallow, sickly, and sinful!
We need men who will pray and who will preach no matter the cost. And the truth is that when they do pray and preach then they will succeed, they will bear fruit, and their churches will grow. Maybe not the way we have been deceived into thinking - but God will be pleased, and at the end of the day that is all that really matters.
Preachers - you are called to do one thing well - you are called to speak. Speak to God in prayer and speak to men in preaching. Nothing else in your ministry matters and if you fail here you have most certainly failed, no matter what any mere man says to you about it.
Pray then. And preach. As if lives depended upon it. Because they do - and the task of speaking to God and to men has been given to you by Divine calling. You will not, you cannot succeed, bear fruit, or see real growth without both. Pray without ceasing. Preach in season and out. Pray and preach, remembering that the glory belongs to God and He will give the increase as He so desires.
If you want to see fruit instead of fluff, put away childish things and act like a man. Seek to please God and nothing men say will deter you in your task.
The church today, as always, needs men who will pray and who will preach. Pour out your life in these endeavors and you have nothing to fear when you give an account before God, as all teachers will.
Pray and Preach. Then we will see the fluff blown away as the fruit comes into season. Fruit that lasts forever to the glory of God.
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