Church pastors are very important personalities in Christianity. We can perceive a pastor as an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. This title is a Greek word which means Shepherd. It is derived from the verb “Pascere” which means “to lead to pasture, cause to eat, or set to grazing”. This term indicates a New Testament elder or leader in the Church. It differs from the term minister as we can read from our Bibles. However, many protestant churches refer to their pastors as ministers of the gospel.

The Bible does not promote lonely Christians neither does it promote believers who deliberately keep themselves from Christian gatherings. Christians are called to demonstrate the greatest love towards God. In the same light, they are also expected to maintain the greatest form of unity and love towards each other. This calls for a regular christian encounter which aims at worshiping God together and serving each other. Throughout the Christian history, we realize that God has always called on his people to accept leadership from those whom he chooses and sends. Church pastors are out to maintain God’s children on the right path that leads to eternal life. However, we’ll recommend that you read our article on Why simply going to Church does not make you a true Christian or believer.

Things to know about Church pastors

Biblical views of Church pastors

The Holy Bible remains our standard of life in the Christian race. Whatever question or worry that we may have, we should always turn to our Bibles. This will prevent us from being induced into false doctrines and religions. It is in this same light that we are called upon to test every spirit and teaching to see if it comes from Christ before believing it. We can read this from 1 Thessalonians 5:21 and 1 John 4:1. And you can only effectively test each spirit and its teachings by first knowing the voice of Jesus Christ through the Holy Gospels. It is in this same line of thinking that we shall bring ought supported truths about Church pastors from the Bible.

Ephesians 4:11

This biblical chapter and verse informs us that when Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, he shared gifts to mankind. First, He called some to be Apostles. Second, He called some to be Prophets. Third, He called some to be evangelists. Fourth, He called some to be Pastors. Fifth, He called some to be teachers. These are the gifts or callings which are regularly referred to as the five fold ministries in the church. Here, we see that being a pastor is a gift from God. It’s not your choice neither that of man but that of God.

Callings are individual and they differ from person to person. Although they differ, they are all aimed at equipping the believers for the Christian work. No gift is superior than the other and should not be perceived from the human point of view. One thing is certain with God, if you are able to manage small things today, He’ll give you more to manage tomorrow. That’s why you must start by knowing your calling and developing it. Do you know your calling? If you already know, that’s nice, may God bless and assist you in using it for His glory. If you haven’t yet found out your calling, do not panic because we are here to guide you as God directs us. For this purpose, we’ll recommend that you read our article on How to know God’s call in your life.

1 Corinthians 12:28-30

Here, Apostle Paul speaks under the influence of the Holy Spirit as he says that “In the Church, God has put all in place: in the first place Apostles, in the second place Prophets, and in the third place Teachers; then those who perform miracles, followed by those who are given the power to heal or to help others or to direct them or to speak in strange tongues. They are not all Apostles, or Prophets, or Teachers. Not everyone has the power to work miracles or to heal diseases or to speak in strange tongues or to explain what is said“.

The importance of Pastors who are supposed teachers and guides on the things of God is clearly pointed out here. Apostle Paul still emphasizes on the fact that not everyone is called to be a teacher of the gospel. In order words, not everyone is given that understanding to unravel the mysteries in the Bible for themselves and others. Whatever the case, understanding is poured unto those whom God has called to be Church Pastors. The Holy Spirit guides and leads them to rightly teach what God wants from men. Forcing yourself into doing this task without being called is dangerous for you and those whom you’ll be teaching. In the same chapter, Apostle Paul points out the power of speaking in strange tongues. For a better understanding, we’ll recommend that you read our article on How praying in tongues can open the supernatural realm in your life.

Jeremiah 3:15

In this passage, God speaks through Prophet Jeremiah and tells us that He will send to us a Shepherd who is after His heart. He further explains that this Shepherd will feed us with knowledge and understanding about His Kingdom. This Shepherd whom God is talking about here is no one but Jesus Christ. Indeed, He came and taught us all that we need to know about making it to eternal life and residing in God’s Kingdom. His teachings can clearly be found in the Gospels. He taught that anyone who repents and believes His message through faith will live forever. Worth noting here is that repentance is generally demonstrated by the outward sign of baptism which shows an inward change of mind.

We’ll like to point out here that there are three types of Baptisms as we can read from Matthew 3:11. The first is the baptism of water which shows that a person has repented. It was initiated by John the Baptist who said that the person coming after him will carry out the second and third Baptism. In most cases, the second and third usually come together. They proceed from Jesus Christ whom John the Baptist announced. The second is the Baptism of the Holy spirit while the third is that of Fire.

It was the second and third which the Apostles received on the day of Pentecost as we can read from Acts 2:3-4. You can read our related articles on How to receive the Holy Spirit, How to receive the power of the Holy Spirit, and How to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It is in this same line of thought that we’ll say that Jesus Christ being the Good Shepherd left behind Church Pastors to guide and instruct us on His teachings.

Titus 1:5-9

“I left you in Crete, so that you could put in order the things that still needed doing and appoint Church elders in every town. Remember my instructions: an elder must be blameless; he must have only one wife, and his children must be believers and not have the reputation of being wild or disobedient. For since a Church leader is in charge of God’s work, he should be blameless. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered, or a drunkard or violent or greedy for money. The Church leader must be hospitable and love what is good. He must be self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the message which can be trusted and which agrees with the doctrine. In this way he will be able to encourage others with the true teaching and also to show the error of those who are oppose to it“.

The above chapter and verses reveals what Apostle Paul wrote to Titus concerning the qualities of Church pastors. You might be wondering why all these qualities. Its very simple. To he whom God has blessed and called into His services, much is eventually required from him. Pastors are required to have a advanced step in the Christian faith because they are to carry a load which is bigger that that which is carried by simple Christians.

What is the reward of a pastor?

Have you ever asked yourself what is the reward of a pastor? If yes, then you were not wrong. It’s but normal to seek to know what Church pastors will get as rewards on the last day. For many people, it might not sound nice to wait till the last day for a reward. Such people are are interested in knowing the reward of a pastor now. A pastor’s life now ought to be more like that of Jesus whereby he’s occupied in winning more souls into the kingdom of God and maintaining these souls on the right path. It is only on the last day that Jesus Christ will unfold the working reports of each pastor to reward them accordingly.

The best place to learn about the reward of a pastors is the Bible. So let’s read from 1 Peter 5:1-4 “I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the Church elders among you. I am a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be revealed. I appeal to you to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and top take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown that will never loose its brightness“.

Indeed a crown of honor besides Jesus Christ awaits all Church pastors who successfully hold to their task to the end. In addition to this crown, Jesus Christ will give them many gift that have been prepared by the Heavenly Father.

Should Church pastors be paid

The question of paying pastors or pastors receiving payment is more of a contradictory one in the modern Church. While some people argue that pastors should not be paid, others argue that pastors should be paid. Whatever the case, it is not in our place to give an answer when God has already spoken out the answer. Instead of arguing, we should rather be concerned about learning what God says about this matter. We can only do this by consulting our Bibles.

Lets open and read from 1 Corinthians 9:14 were Apostle Paul says “In the same way, the Lord has ordered that those who preach the gospel should get their living from it”. This Bible verse clearly answers the question. It is a command from God that Pastors should make a living from the Holy Gospel that they preach. So why all the arguments and contradictory doctrines when God has spoken?

Can a Church Pastor go without payment?

We previously read from 1 Corinthians 9:14 that it’s a command from God for Church pastors to make a living out of the Gospel. But now, can a Church Pastor go without payment? The answer is yes and no. We say so because it all depends on the Church pastor. No one is obliging him to go without payment neither is there someone obliging him to go with payment. One thing is sure which is the fact that he has the right to receive payment for his work if he desires to.

Let’s take the example of Apostle Paul, he was one of the Church Leaders who refused to make a living out of the gospel as the others did. He rather worked hard together with Barnabas in order to meet up with their needs. these points are backed up by 1 Corinthians 9:6 and ACTS 18:3. While Apostle Paul was living i Corinth, the Bible says that although he made 3 years there for the gospel’s sake, he worked hard for a living by building tents and not relying on the Gospel.

Top qualities of Church pastors

We must point out here that becoming a Church pastor is not the most easiest thing to do. However, the challenges faced on the way are aimed at better preparing you for God’s services. Get to better understand this by reading our article on Why a true Christian must be tested. In today’s Church, become a pastor requires either a degree or master’s in divinity or theology from a credited institution depending on the denomination. Worth pouring more light is the fact that there are many Christian denominations today. For a better understanding of this topic, you can read our article on the Reasons for division in Christianity and that on the Causes of divisions in Christianity. Let’s now get into the qualities that make a good Church pastor.

The top qualities of a pastor are as follows:

• Prayerful;
• Humble;
• Correctable;
• Hardworking;
• Disciplined;
• God fearing;
• Caring;
• Good communicator;
• Patient;
• Welcoming;
• Loving;
• Honest;
• Truthful;
• Charitable;
• Forgiving; and
• Gentle.

This brings us to the end of our article on the things to know about Church pastors. Let’s work in love as we ease the task that God has given these men. Instead of Judging and condemning them, we should rather pray and fast for God to strengthen them in their weaknesses.