Overview of the Pastor-Teacher

Tod Kennedy
November 19, 2000

Scripture Passages for Pastor-Teacher:
Ephesians 4:11-14; Acts 20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 2 Timothy 2:15; Titus 2:15; 1 Peter 4:10-11

1.       Pastor and teacher or pastor-teacher is the man gifted by God to equip believers for ministry and for the edification of the church (Ephesians 4:11-14). We often shorten the title to pastor, but that includes the teaching  part of the job.

2.       The general profile indicates that he is to study the Word of God and to authoritatively teach the Word of God for spiritual growth and application, and to lead, encourage, and protect his own God-given flock.  This will result in believers who are able to minister and participate in the build up of the body of Christ and therefore represent God on earth (Ephesians 4:11-14; Acts 20:17 and 28; Romans 12:7; 2 Timothy 2:15; Titus 2:15; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

3.       There are three terms that refer to the pastor-teacher:

1. "Pastor and teacher" (poimhn kai didaskalo~), which can also be written as pastor-teacher, is the working title for the man God gifts to teach, encourage, lead, and protect his flock or congregation. Pastor emphasizes leadership, encouragement, care for, protection, correction.  Teacher emphasizes communication and instruction of the Word of God. Pastor-teacher emphasizes the person and ministries that result from the gifts. The pastor-teacher is also the overseer and elder (Ephesians 4:11; Acts 20:17 and 28).

2. The title "overseer" (episkopo~, guardian, superintendent) is an official title emphasizing the supervisory activity (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7).

3. The  title "elder" (presbutero~,  elder, older man) is an official title emphasizing the rank.  Both refer to the pastor-teacher as the leader, and both carry authority (1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

4.       The pastor-teacher seems to be multi-gifted in order to perform God's function. The gifts most apparent are teaching, leadership, encouragement, and administration (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-12).

5.       God gives each pastor-teacher his own specific flock or local church congregation to teach and to shepherd (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

6.       Along with this God-given responsibility, God also gives the pastor-teacher the spiritual authority to serve his own  congregation. This authority has been delegated from God through the Holy Spirit and the Bible (Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 20:17-28; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17).

7.       The pastor-teacher must be a servant and must not abuse his authority (Matthew 20:25-28; John 13:15-17; 1 Peter 5:3). In human terms he is a general and a soldier, and a coach and a player.

8.       The character of the overseer (pastor-teacher) must be good, but it does not indicate that spiritual leaders are more holy than anyone else. All possess sin natures, all have weaknesses, and all fail (1 Timothy 3:2-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-3).

9.       The pastor-teacher must please the Lord, not people; God wants him to equip his congregation (Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6; Ephesians 4:11-12; Titus 2:15).

10.   In day to day life the practice of the pastor-teacher is to study the Bible, from the original languages if possible, and to communicate the content for application, to lead and encourage the church, and  to protect the congregation from bad doctrine and disruptive influences in the church (Acts 20:28-31; Ephesians 4:11-12; Philippians 1:25; 2 Timothy 2:15; 4:2).