What is a Pastor or Elder's Job Description?

Keep watch over yourselves,
Keep watch over the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians;
To feed the Church of the Lord which he won for himself by his own blood.
Savage wolves will come in among you, therefore be alert.

                                                                                 Acts 20:28-31

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There are three primary divisions of the elder’s (ruling and teaching elder) responsibilities and duties. Listed in order of priority, they first to God, secondly to himself, and finally 
toward others. All too often members in a church reverse the order, only to the detriment 
of their personal and corporate well-being in Christ.

A.   The elder is responsible to serve the Lord first.

1.    The elder must exercise a saving faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord 
     (1 Thess. 1:9; Heb. 9:11-14).

2.    The elder’s first priority is to serve the Lord first and foremost, before he 
     serves people. (Acts 20:19; Gal. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:4; Eph. 6:6-7; Col. 3:22-24).   
     He serves God’s people by serving and answering to the Lord first and doing so 
     for the glory of God (Deut. 10:12; Josh. 24:14, 15; 1 Cor. 10:31; 15:58; Eph. 6:7; 
     Heb. 12:28; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).

a.   This was clearly the pattern of God’s true prophets, priests and kings

            (1 Chron. 28:9; 2 Chron. 12:8; 34:33).

b.  This was also the pattern of Jesus Christ who always did His Father’s will  

      (Matt. 4:10; Luke 4:8; John 8:26-28).

c.   This was the pattern of the New Testament Apostles

      (Acts 4:5-21; 27:23; 1 Cor. 15:58; Col. 3:23; 1 Thess. 1:9; 2 Tim. 1:3; 
      Heb. 12:28).

3.   He is to live for Christ

a.         Never to be ashamed of Jesus Christ (2 Tim 1:8-11; 2:11-13)

b.        His focus is to always be upon Christ (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:21; 2 Tim 2:8-13)

c.         He will suffer for Christ (Lk. 21:19; 2 Tim. 2:3-7; 3:10-12).

B.  The elder is responsible to keep his life right in relationship to the Lord.

     1.   All believers are called upon to keep their lives right before God (Rom. 12:1-2; 
          2 Cor. 4:16;   Gal. 5:17-25; Eph. 4:23-24; Col. 3:10; Phil. 2:12-13; 1 Thess. 
          4:1-12; 2 Tim. 2:19-21; 2 Pet. 3:1-11).  They are to be faithful stewards of Christ 
          and are accountable to Him through a biblically balanced life (1 Cor. 4:1-2; 9:17; 
          Col. 1:25f).

2.   This is all the more true for pastors, elders, and deacons too.  The admonition 
     to Timothy is applicable to those who take on the yoke of ministry, that the elder 
     must guard and maintain his life, piety and gifts (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 4:14-16; 2 Tim. 2:19-21) so that he might have the proper capacity to serve others through Christ 
     (2 Tim. 2:1, 6, 15; 3:16-17). And he should practice and devote himself to godliness 
     in Christ so that others will see progress in his walk (1 Tim. 4:15). This is what 
     Thomas Murphy means when he says that “The conversion of souls and the 
     prosperity of the Church depend on the degree of the pastor’s piety” (Murphy, 
     1877/1996, p. 47).

                  The purpose of taking care of his life in Christ is not for self-actualization 
     or other self-serving goals but rather so that he may be of greater service to others.
     While this might seem odd, a properly oriented life that is saturated with God 
     through Christ is a far better blessing to others. This is because the greater, more 
     expansive capacity one has for God the greater his capacity for a fruitful ministry.

                  Jesus is a model of one who, though sinless, maintained and nurtured 
     his relationship with the Father, to understand God’s will and to be strengthened 
     from on high in order to accomplish all that God set for him to do. He always made 
     it a priority to spend time with the Father before serving others. 

3.   The elder is called to train and discipline himself for godliness (1 Tim. 4:7-11) 
      so as to become more and more like Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Tim. 4:14-16; 
      6:11; Ti. 2:12; 2 Pet. 1:4). After all, the elder is to “incarnate” and model the life 
     of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 12:18; 1 Thess. 2:10-12; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); and this 
     is very profitable (1 Tim. 6:6).  At minimum this would include the nurture and 
     improvement of the godly character required of him according to 1 Timothy 3:1-9 
     and Titus 1:5-9;  but he should also cultivate and strengthen other qualities God 
     desires of him as Christ’s under-shepherd such as, but not limited to:

      a.  Humility (Acts 20:19; 1 Cor. 10:12).

      b.  Being free of or fleeing the love of money (1 Tim. 3:3; 6:7-11).

c.   Being a vessel of honor that is set apart from sin (2 Tim. 2:20-21)

(1) Actively pursuing biblical righteousness, godliness, faith, love, 
     perseverance and gentleness (1 Tim. 6:11).

(2) Fleeing youthful lusts, pursuing righteousness, faith, love 
     (2 Tim 2:22).

d.   Fearing no one or nothing except God (Deut. 10:12; Eccles. 12:13; 
      Psa. 118:6; Isa. 12:2; 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:17; 2:17).

e.   Being sober-minded about everything (2 Tim. 4:5).

f.    Maintaining a clear conscience before the Lord (2 Cor 11:31).

4.   He is to put to use the good gift(s) God has placed upon him.  In fact, he is 
      called upon to fan the flame or rekindle the gift(s) of God in his life 
     (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6).

5.   The elder is to saturate his life with and properly handle God’s Word 
     (1 Tim. 5:17; 2 Tim. 3:14-16).

      a.  Always growing in grace and truth (2 Pet. 3:18).  

b.  Holding fast to and be nourished on the Word of God 
     (1 Tim 4:6; 2 Tim. 1:13; 3:14-17; Ti. 1:9).

      c.  Rightly handling God’s Word so as to be approved (2 Tim. 2:15).

      d   Contending for the truth of God’s Word (1 Tim. 1:18-19).

      e.  Guarding the truth (1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:12-14).

6.   He should bear fruit (Jn 15:8; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 2:8-10; Col. 1:10; 
      Ti. 2:7; 3:8, 14)

7.   He is to take care of his physical life (1 Tim 5:23).

8.   He should not be concerned about the judgments of others (1 Cor. 4:1-5), 
     neither should he compare himself with others (1 Cor. 3; 2 Cor. 10:12-16). 
     At the same time he should defend a biblical and righteous ministry in the cause 
     of Christ against false accusations (1 Cor. 1:6-23; 2:4, 17; 3:6, 12; 4:1-8; 
     5:14, 21; 1 Tim. 4:12)

9.   He must keep his family life in order (1 Tim. 3:4-5; Ti. 1:6)

10. Finally, he and others must understand that his life and ministry is a living 
     sacrifice to God (Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6; 2 Sam. 24:24; Acts 20:24; 21:13; 
     Phil. 3:7-8).

    C. After serving God and attending to his life in Christ the pastor or elder then 
        serves others, particularly God’s people.

   1. The pastor or elder serves through self-sacrifice (Jn. 10:11, 15; cp. Lk 10:34,35) 
       as a faithful steward of God’s ministry (1 Cor. 4:1-2; Ti. 1:7), in a manner like 
      Jesus Christ (Matt. 20:25-28; 23:11-12; Mark 10:43,44; Luke 22:26-27; 
      John 13:1-20).

   2.   He prays for others (Acts 6:4; Col. 1:9)

      a. His priority is to pray, especially for God’s people (Acts 6:4; Col. 1:9)

      b. He prays for those who are not believers in Christ (1 Tim. 2:1-8)

   3.   As an undershepherd to the Great Shepherd he pastors through God’s Word     

         (Jn. 21:15ff; 1 Pet. 5:1ff); ministering the Word of God (Mk. 6:34b; Rev. 7:17; 
         1 Tim. 5:17; 1 Thess. 5:12; Col. 1:28; Jas. 3:1) in a variety of ways. In fact, the 
         bulk and thrust of his labors is in the power of God’s Spirit through the Word 
         of God.  This is the teaching pastor's main priority.

a.  The teaching elder is especially responsible for the publicly reading, 
     preaching, explaining and applying Scriptures. This is his
      (1 Cor. 1:17; 1 Tim. 4:13-14)

           b.  Preaches in season and out of season reproving, rebuking and 
                exhorting (2 Tim. 4:1-2).

c.  Teaches boldly the Word of God (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 6:34; Acts 20:20; 
     1 Cor. 12:28, 31; Col. 1:28; 1 Tim. 1:3; 3:2, 16; 4:11-12; 6:2-5; James 3:1 
     Rev. 7:17) in these and other areas:

            (1) Teaching apostolic truth, particularly to faithful men who would 
                  teach others the same (2 Tim. 2:2)

            (2) Teaching godliness in Christ (1 Tim. 5:24-6:6)

            (3) Teaching older men to be sober, reverent, self-controlled, 
                  sound in faith, sound in love, and patient (Ti. 2:1-2)

      (4) Teaching the rich to be rich in good works and generosity 
            (1 Tim. 6:17-19)

d.         Feeds God’s people in the Truth (1 Pet. 5:2).

e.         Edifies or builds believers up in Christ (2 Cor. 13:10-11; Eph 4:12-16).

f.          Convicts the contrary (2 Tim. 2:25; Ti. 1:9).

g.        Brings comfort to hearers of the Word (1 Cor. 14:3, 31; 2 Cor. 1:4-6; 

           1 Thess. 4:18).

h.         Confronts Sin (1Tim 5:1-2; Gal. 6:1)

       (1) Warning of the consequences of sin (Acts 20:31).

            (2) Rebuking sin (2 Tim. 4:1-2; Ti 1:13; 2:15).

j.          Admonishes wayward believers to obey God’s Word (2 Thess. 3:15).

          k.         Exhorts or confronts the opposition with sound doctrine in love    

                                    (1 Cor. 13:1; Eph. 4:15; 2 Tim. 2:24-26).

   4.   The elder trains God's people in spiritual warfare, resisting Satan and calling 
        them to their role as godly warriors (2 Cor. 11:13-15; Eph. 6:10-18; Jas. 4:7; 
        1 Pet. 5:8-9).

   5.   He delegates administrative tasks of lesser priorities for his vocation to others, 
         such as the deacons in order to concentrate on the ministries of prayer and 
         the Word of God (Act 6:1-7).

    6. The minister’s godly office created by Christ (2 Cor. 3:9; 4:6). The minister is 
        responsible with other elders in the church to perpetuate the office with sound, 
        godly and faithful men who are gifted, called, and qualified 
        (1 Tim. 1:11; 3:1-7; 4:14). The office must be perpetuated through the laying 
        on of hands by ordained elders of the church (Acts 6:6; 13:3; 14:23; 19:6; 
       1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:6).

7.   He must always keep before him the goal(s) of his God-ordained ministry:

a.     To equip the saints to do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12) in the 
      faithful exercise of their gifts (1 Cor. 12; Rom. 12).

b.    To form Jesus Christ in the community of God’s people through love 
     (Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21; 4:13; Col 1:224-29; 1 Thess. 3:11-13; 1 Tim. 1:5) 
     until that community is a like one mature man who lives:

(1) In the unity of the Faith (Eph. 4:13)

(2) In an intimate full-knowledge of the Son of God, deeply in love with 
     Christ and becoming more like him in every way (Eph. 4:13)

(3) In truth that is spoken and expressed through love (Eph. 4:15).

   D.  The pastor’s of elder’s duties are enumerated through the many roles 
         he has:

         1.   As a self-sacrificing servant (Matt. 20:27; John 10:11, 15; Lk. 10:34, 35; 
               1 Cor. 4:1)

            a.  First, of God (2 Cor. 6:4; Ti. 1:1, 7) and of Christ (Phil. 1:1; 2 Tim. 2:24)

            b.  Of God’s people (2 Cor. 4:5)

            c.  Who serves God and his church with diligence (Rom. 12:8; 1 Thess. 5:12; 

                         1 Tim. 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:15).

        2.   As a loving shepherd of the flock of God (Jer. 3:15; John 21:15ff; Acts 20:28; 
             1 Pet. 5:1-2)

            a. Who leads (Mark 6:34) and guides (Matt. 2:6; Acts 7:10, 14; Heb. 3:7, 17, 24)

            b. Who protects (Acts 20:28-30; Jn. 10:12; Ti. 1:9; 2:1; Eph. 4:14; 1 Pet. 5:8; 
                 1 Jn. 4:1-3)

(1)  From enemies within (2 Tim. 2:16-18; Jude 12f).

(2)  From enemies without (Mt. 13:24f; 2 Cor. 11:12-15).
 
 3.   As a priest, though a believer-priest like all other believers he:

a.  Intercedes and prays for God’s people  (e.g.: 1 Sam. 12:23; Acts 12:5-9, 12;

            Rom. 10:1; Eph. 1:18; Col. 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:1, 2; Jas. 5:16)

b. Serves as a leader in worship.

4.   As a peacemaker or reconciler (Matt. 5:9; 2 Cor. 5:18-19).

5.   As a preacher of the gracious Good News of Christ (Rom. 10:14; 2 Pet. 2:5).

6.   As a professor-teacher (see above)

7.   As a parent

a.   Like a father (Matt. 13:52; 1 Cor. 4:12-21; 1 Thess. 2:10-12; 1 Tim. 3:5; 
     Philem. 10).

(1) Who sees to it with fellow elders and the deacons that widows in 
     need are taken care of (Acts 6:1ff; 1 Tim. 3:5-16; James 1:27)

(2) Who also oversees with fellow elders and deacons the needs of 
     orphans (James 1:27).

(3) Who, with the elders through the service of the deacons, takes care 
     of the needy in the church (Luke 14:13; Acts 2:45; 4:35; Rom. 15:26; 
     Gal. 2:10; Eph. 4:28; James 2:2-6)

b.  And like a mother who gives birth (Isa. 66:7; 1 Thess. 5:3) and who 
     nurses (1 Thess. 2:7)

c.  A nurturer and disciplinarian (Matt. 18; 2 Cor. 7:8-13)

      

      8.  As a model of godliness   (Psa. 101:2; 1 Cor. 4:6; 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 
            1 Thess. 1:6; 2:10-11; 2 Thess. 3:7, 9; 1 Tim. 4:12; Ti. 2:7; Heb. 12:2; 13:7; 
            1 Pet. 2:11-25; 5:3; 1 Jn. 2:6; etc.).

      9.   As a ruler with fellow elders over Christ’s church (1 Thess. 5:12, 13; 1 Tim. 5:17;  
          Heb. 13:17), he is responsible for:

     a.   Overseeing the church of Christ (1 Tim. 3:4, 5, 12; Rom. 12:8)

     b.  Exercising judicial discipline (Matt. 18:15-19; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5; 
         1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6-15; 1 Tim. 5:20; 6:3; Ti. 1:13; 2:15; 3:10; 
          Rev. 2:2, 14, 15, 20)
     c.  Ruling with Christ’s authority, but not lording it over God’s people 
          (Matt. 20:25-26; Mk. 10:42-43; 1 Pet. 5:3).
     d. The elder is to lead and guide (Rom. 12:8; Heb. 13:7, 17, 24) 
         (examples:  Matt. 2:6; Acts 7:10; 14:12).  Another sense of leading comes
         from the biblical Greek term proistemi, which means "to stand before"
         as a leader before his people.  To lead in this way means the elders
         (1) have charge over (1 Thess. 5:12)
         (2) manage (1 Tim. 3:4,5,12)
         (3) rule (1 Tim. 5:17)

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     10.  As an evangelist and disciple "maker" (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 20:21; 21:8; 
            1 Tim. 5:22; 2 Tim. 4:5; Ti. 1:5)

a.     By faithful testimony of Christ in life and lip (Acts 20:21; 1 Thess. 2:2)

b.    By giving the Gospel of Christ (Rom. 3:21-28; 11:6; Gal. 3:1-9; 1 Pet. 4)

11. The elder is also described in roles as a messenger (2 Cor. 8:23), a good 
      worker (2 Cor. 6:1; Phil. 2:25), a soldier (Phil. 2:25; 2 Tim. 2:3-4), an athlete 
      (1 Cor. 9:24-25; Phil. 3:14; 2 Tim. 2:5; 4:7-8; Heb. 12:1) and a farmer 
      (2 Tim. 2:6).