EPHESIANS 4:11   And He gave some...Pastors

1 CORINTHIANS 12:28   And God hath set in the church...Governments

The word Pastor isn’t Mention here, but Pastors are part of the government of any church. A Pastor would be an elder, with other elders assisting him in watching over   God’s flock.

Elders are set in the church by the Holy Spirit and may occupy various offices. The Pastor with the elders, form the spiritual government of a church. The word government in the Greek means; to steer, directorship. This type of government provides checks and balances, for the leaders of the church.

Pastors are to-

A. Feed God’s People

  1 Peter 5:2   Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof,
  not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

  John 21:15-17....Feed my lambs, Jesus saith unto him, feed my sheep

  Acts 20:28   Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which
  the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath
  purchased with his own blood.

B. Feed Them What?

  1 Peter 5:2   As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
  thereby:

  * Young Christians need the milk of God’s word ( foundational, basic teachings and
     principals of Christianity ).

  Hebrews 5:11-6:2 ...But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age...

  * Older Christians, those that have spiritually matured, need more than milk, ( basics )

* Christians must be rooted and grounded in solid Christian doctrine, or they will be
     unsettled in their Christian walk.

  Ephesians 4:14   That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
  about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
  whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Pastors are not to:

A. Lord Over

  1 Peter 5:3   Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the
  flock.

  * Pastors are not the head of the five fold ministry offices and are called to serve, not
     be served.

B. Serve Because of Greed

  1 Peter 5:2   Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof,
  not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Qualifications of Pastors

  1 Timothy 3:2-7   A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant,
  sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
  Vs.3   Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a
  brawler, not covetous;
  Vs.4    One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all
  gravity;
  Vs.5   (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the
  church of God?)
  Vs.6   Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the
  devil.
  Vs.7   Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into
  reproach and the snare of the devil.   ( Titus 1:7-11 )

Marks of Good Pastors:

  John 10:11    I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

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