How should a Pastor care for the flock? To understand this, it is necessary to know what a pastor is. I recommend the following be read first, and then continue with this article.
Pastor, Bishops, Apostles, Reverends, Prophets
Pastoral care is the responsibility of the elders in the faith. Hopefully, an assembly has access to elders who have labored in word and doctrine and are equipped with the knowledge and understanding as to be able to provide biblical care. From these men, hopefully, is one who desires the office of Bishop. The office of Bishop is not a calling, but a desire to aid others.
1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
The Bishop’s and if needed, with the assistance of Deacons, first responsibility is to know everyone in the assembly. He is to know who needs what help and who can provide help. Then, along with the other elders, organize to provide the assistance needed. They are the blood to the body, reaching every part. They are the organizers and maintainers of order, seeing all is taken care of.
There are many ways a congregation should be able to help each other. The particular way deemed necessary or chosen to provide will be headed by the Bishop and Deacons under the watchful eye of all elders and whole congregation. The Church and its functions are not the responsibility of nor under the control of one man. You can liken Church governance to a Mayor and City Council. It is responsible to God and the whole assembly.
The congregation is responsible for:
- Caring for the poor
- The windows
- The fatherless
- Providing for or aid in in the education of its children (Church school or homeschooling)
- Help those who failed to get an education or job skills in their youth to achieve such.
- The Bishop and elders should be able to provide biblically correct counselling.
- The Bishop and elders should provide that there are men who have labor in word and doctrine to preach, teach, and provide for the spiritual needs of the assembly.
It takes the efforts of the whole congregation to be a Church. It is every Christian’s responsibility to serve each other under the oversight of the elders.
I hope that this answers your question, at least in part. I will note here that there will be many who would reject this response in favor of the status quo. The Church was never to follow blindly or put all the responsibility and authority in the hands of one man.
“…the acquisition of such absolute command over the consciences and understanding of a congregation, however obscure or despised by the world, is more truly grateful to the pride of the human heart, than the possession of the most despotic power, imposed by arms and conquest on a reluctant people”.
Edward Gibbon, Esq; “History Of The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire”, Chapter XV: Progress Of The Christian Religion
Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
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