The Severity of Pastoral Teaching Ministry?

James 3:1

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

As Christians, we are all called to test if we are in the faith (2 Co. 13:5) but for those who feel called into pastoral ministry, especially a teaching role, really need to test and seek the Lord.  The concept of degrees of judgment is found throughout the New Testament (in addition to the passages below see Matt. 25:29, Mark 4:24-25, and Luke 12:48) and this should cause all believers to want to examine their lives. 

In having the privilege of teaching a couple times in so many weeks and in getting ahead for my two pastoral ministry classes this Fall, I am relooking at my call to ministry.  My call is being strengthened and confirmed by all the events of the last year but I still wanted to look at some of the more serious Bible verses regarding pastoral teaching ministry. 

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

The three main roles of pastoral ministry from Hebrews 13:7 are rule (lead), speak the Word of God, and establish the pattern of faith for people to follow. (cf. Acts 20:28, 1 Ti. 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9)  None of these three roles can be properly accomplished apart from the empowering of the Holy Spirit and an anointing on a person’s life.  So many times, we in ministry wonder what people will think about us if we boldly proclaim the whole counsel of God.  The draw for popularity makes us want to ignore the challenging passages when teaching and preaching and go straight for the feel good passages.  How many times do you hear messages on Gal. 5:16-21, 1 Co. 6:9-11, 1 John 3:9-11, and so forth that are true to the text?  Therefore, if we do not want to teach these passages, than how can we model our lives and properly lead?  This is not a charge for legalism but a rebuttal to the rampant antinomianism that is plaguing American Christianity.  My chief solution to the problem is discipleship, which will be covered in detail in a future blog.

Hebrews 13:17 has many nuggets of truth in it.  First, submitting to leaders assumes that our Christian leaders are worth following, as in they are Christ-like teachers not those found in Hebrews 13:9.  Second, keeping watch over your souls does not downplay each individual believer’s responsibility in regards to their own salvation but states that the leaders must remain diligent and alert that those under them are entering into an authentic relationship with Jesus. (cf. Eph. 6:18)  We have already covered giving an account, but to restate leaders are responsible for those who are entrusted to their care.  Lastly, it is beneficial for leaders to serve with a joyous demeanor and attitude because most people do not like their leaders to be negative and bitter.

What does all this mean?

·         Those who want to be in pastoral ministry must make sure that they are doing it for the right reasons- such as honor and glory to God above all else.

·         Once in a leadership/ teaching position, we must stay true to the Word of God in its entirety because of a stricter judgment, which is both scary and encouraging.

·         In a personal way- I cannot imagine turning my back on the Lord (Luke 9:62) in that He healed me from Leukemia and has sustained me through numerous other trials and training to do nothing or minimal, when there are so many open doors around, especially in that I am sure of my call to serve Him and it has been confirmed by so many solid Christians.

May the Lord Bless and Keep You!