c c c c c c c c c Several pastors today appear to indicate careful study in the
Scriptures is not required. This opinion is contrary to the position of the church
historically. The early Church Fathers indicated it was essential for the pastor
to be studious in sermon preparation; thus, it developed the opportunity to
establish Biblical doctrine.[1] Also, for most church history, it was the pastor,
not the academic, that were the forefront theologians of their day. c One
formation of careful study is through ecclesial exegesis, where the biblical “text
is read and applied by both exegetical and dogmatic reasoning.”[2]
c c c c c c c c c It is vital for pastors today to reemerge as studious workers of
Scripture. True, there are several “responsibilities” of a pastor in the modern
sense; however, many of these responsibilities may be delegated to others,
allowing them to have responsibility within the church. The pastor’s primary
responsibilities include defending and equipping their flock with sound doctrine
(2 Tim. 3:16)[3]; protect against gainsayers who teach unsound doctrine (1 Pet
2:1-3; 2 Tim 4:2-3); and being the example by living the Word of God. c
c c c c c c c c c It is the responsibility of the pastor to prepare themselves for the
challenges that they live in. The flock will only be as ready and robust as the
shepherd that leads them. Many consider the church to be weak because many
of today’s pastors are weak. Many pastors have a superficial knowledge of
God’s Word. They do not know the context of the Scripture in light of its
historical meaning. They do not understand how the Bible works as a whole
because they focus on one Testament. Pastors must study not only Scripture
but also history, psychology, science, and rhetoric. They should be able to
communicate verbally, as well as through the written word. They should be able
to utilize the many resources available today to increase their biblical
knowledge and understanding and ward off false doctrine and vain philosophies.
c c c c c c c c c The pastor also develops their skills as a pastor-scholar, making
fellow pastors aware of doctrinal errors as they creep into the churches. Many
churches are now teaching prophecy is no longer vital to know and understand,
or it is permissible for congregates to live in the world and be like them,
supposedly making them more “in tune” with those in the world, yet unsaved.
These and other teachings are detrimental to the church. It weakens it. It does
not give the church strength. c The pastor’s first responsibility is to know and
understand sound biblical teaching, thus establishing sound biblical doctrine. c If
the pastor-teacher fails in this regard, they fail as a solid shepherd for the flock
Christ has called them to watch over and protect.
Word Count 445
c c c c c c c c c c c [1] Kevin J. Vanhoozer and Owen Strachan, The Pastor as Public
Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Vision (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group,
2015), 71.
c c c c c c c c c c c [2] Todd Wilson and Gerald Hiestand, Becoming a Pastor
Theologian: New Possibilities for Church Leadership (Downers Grove, IL: IVP
Academic, 2016), 145.
c c c c c c c c c c c [3] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in
the King James Version.
