Sunday, I preached on the topic of elders (or pastors) from Titus 1:5-16. In my notes, I have this picture included:
I reiterated this point in my message because I think it is incredibly important for me to remember as a pastor and for the members of my church to remember as well. I need to remember that I am a part of the church. I am accountable to the church and I will be held responsible for the church. I am never above the church, but I am not below it either. I am a shepherd called upon by God to oversee the church and protect it from false doctrine and fierce wolves. But, in all of this, I am still part of the church. I am a preacher, but not only a preacher, I am a shepherd, intimately involved in the life of this church is not only my job, it is my privilege and calling from God. I am not a hired gun, I am not only a preacher, I am a pastor. I need to remember that the people of Malvern Hill are not “they” or “them” or “these people.” They are “us” and “we” and “my people.” I am a part of a family.
Church members need to remember that the pastor is not a hired gun because, even though he is accountable to the church, he is not a whipping boy. The pastor is a part of the family and needs to be loved and cared for as such. The pastor is part of the family, when he rebukes and instructs in sound doctrine, he does not do so as an outsider called hired for unwanted but necessary consultation, he does so as a caring parent or brother and he should be viewed as such. The pastor must be viewed as a church member whose opinions and convictions matter as much as any other member.
Pastors, don’t act like a hired gun and you might discover that your church will treat you like one of the family. Church members, do not treat your pastor as a hired gun and you may discover that he is more than a preacher, he is God’s shepherd who wants to love and protect you.
