Pastoral Priorities

This article is part of The Pastor's Handbook. To learn more about the series, and how to use this resource effectively, please read our introduction.

Being an under-shepherd of the flock for whom Christ died is both a noble task and a solemn responsibility. It calls for a deepening understanding of the word of God, constant dependence upon the Holy Spirit, a developing character of Christlikeness, and a clear focus upon pastoral priorities.

Although some particulars of ministry will vary from church to church, the priorities of feeding the flock, caring for the flock and leading the flock, remain in each. 

These priorities may be expressed in various ways, but will include the following:

Personal discipleship

Every pastor is a disciple before he is a pastor.

Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843) commented that the greatest need of any congregation is the personal holiness of their pastor. It is necessary for a pastor to cultivate personal spiritual disciplines.

Kent Hughes writes:

"Spiritual discipline frees us from the gravity of this present age and allows us to soar with saints and angels" (Disciplines of a Godly Man, Kent Hughes, p17)

Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:16:

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

Nurture of marriage and the family

As we follow the Chief Shepherd, pastoral ministry is likely to involve costly sacrifice. That sacrifice will be shared by the pastor’s family if he is married.

However, pastors must not neglect the nurture and care of the family entrusted to them. The home is both the primary responsibility of the husband/father and the training ground for leadership in God's family.

"He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)" (1 Timothy 3:4-5)

The ministry of the word

Teaching and preaching God’s word, both in public and private, is the foundation of all pastoral ministry. For the pastor, the Bible is not simply a tool, it is his life.

All effective and lasting ministry flows from the ministry of the word. It is through the word that we proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ to people that they might trust, love, and serve him. Fresh study of the scriptures must be a high priority, as well as study of wider areas of ministry and theology.

Opportunities to develop in our handling and teaching and preaching of God’s word should be taken regularly.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

The ministry of prayer

Both private and public prayer is a vital part of pastoral ministry.

E. M. Bounds noted that the great Christian leaders:

"...were not leaders because of brilliance of thought, because they were exhaustless in resources, because of their magnificence of natural endowments, but because, by the power of prayer, they could command the power of God" (quoted in Spiritual Leadership, J Oswald Sanders, p. 134).

A pastor’s prayers should include:

• The pastoral needs of the flock
• God's blessing on the ministries of the church
• The raising up of new workers and leaders
• Progress for the gospel locally and worldwide
• The salvation of unbelievers
• The maturing of the flock as disciple-making disciples.

The priority a pastor gives to church gatherings for prayer is likely to shape the prayer life of the church. Congregations grow to pray like their pastors!

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people." (1 Timothy 2:1)

Leadership

Sheep follow the lead of their shepherds. In partnership with his fellow elders, a pastor is called to lead the church forward in health and growth. Together with fellow elders, a pastor should have a godly vision for the advance of God's kingdom and the part the particular church they serve has in that advance locally and more widely.

This will not happen by accident. It involves deliberate, prayerful consideration in the leading of the Spirit, focused research, consideration of practicalities, and discussion to clarify with others the way the church should go.

"…if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." (Romans 12:8)

Pastoral care

“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.” (Proverbs 27:23)

To do this, pastors need to spend time with the sheep entrusted to their care.

A former generation said that the home-visiting pastor has a churchgoing congregation. Although there are other opportunities for pastoral contact in addition to home visits today (for example, video calls or text messages), deliberate, personal, pastoral contact plays an important role in the personal application of the word of God.

There will be reactive contact, seeking to help in times of personal crisis; there will be proactive general encouragement in ongoing discipleship; together with training and nurturing in leadership.

Visitation and other contact enables the pastor to understand and build relationships with the flock as he feeds them. A structured programme of general visitation can be helpful.

A wise pastor will seek to equip others to share the load with him.

"For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

Evangelism

The work of private and public evangelism is not optional for a pastor.

While some will have particular evangelistic gifts, all pastors will be involved in calling people to turn to God in repentance and to have faith in the Lord Jesus.

A congregation is unlikely to be more evangelistic than its pastor or pastors. Time spent in personal evangelism informs the preaching/teaching ministry.

"But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." (2 Timothy 4:5)

Passing on

The tenure of every pastor is temporary. From day one, the pastor should be preparing for the day of his departure by looking out for and nurturing future elders and leaders, equipping them to shepherd the coming generations.

The training of future leaders is a high priority, whether those trained serve in the same church or in another church.

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:2)

Modelling

Whether we are aware of it or not, everyone is both a model for others and a follower of the model provided by others.

As the priorities above are pursued, pastors provide a model for the flock. For example: as a pastor cares for the flock, the flock is likely to grown in their care for each other; as the pastor pursues personal evangelism, the flock will grow in their personal evangelism; and so on.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

Time management

Structuring your time is an important discipline in pastoral ministry.

Some have found the “Rule of Three” helpful:

• Spend a third of your time in the study of God’s Word for teaching and preaching.
• A third of your time for pastoral contact.
• A third for leadership and administration.

A pattern of mornings for study, afternoons for visitation, and evenings for meetings can be helpful. But every pattern will need to be flexible to manage unexpected developments which should be viewed as providential interventions

“When I hear a knock on my study door, I hear a message from God; it may be a lesson of instruction , perhaps a lesson of patience; but since it is His message, it must be interesting.” (John Newton, The Works of the John Newton, Ed. Richard Cecil (London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., 1824), 1:76.)

A wise pastor schedules weekly time for personal refreshment and family. The sabbath principle suggests that the same full 24 hours off each week is wise and necessary for perseverance in ministry. Planning and taking holidays and a termly study week are also wise.

Hopefully, this time for refreshment and rest is reflected in either a pastor's Contract of Employment or Memorandum of Agreement as an Office holder. If not, it would be wise to seek an opportunity to discuss a wise rhythm of rest with the other leaders in the church and put it in place.

A periodic review of our pattern will ensure that we are making the wisest use of time.

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Fellowship

Regular fellowship with other pastors is vital for pastoral sanity.

Networking regularly with other pastors is invaluable for joyful perseverance and development.

• Fraternals or preaching groups provide opportunities to discuss ministry issues and problems and to support one another prayerfully in the work of the ministry.
• Conferences should be viewed as a high priority as they provide an opportunity to broaden one's understanding, keep up with new trends, and find encouragement.
  • Most churches allow a pastor a couple of residential conferences each year. If there is no specific agreement about this, it would be wise to seek an appropriate opportunity to discuss it with fellow leaders.

Reading

There are numerous good books on pastoral ministry.

Aiming to read one per year (perhaps with others) is a good habit to establish. Some potential books to consider are:

• The Reformed Pastor, Richard Baxter
• On Being a Pastor, Alistair Begg/Derek Prime
• Christian Ministry, Charles Bridges
• The Unhurried Pastor, Brain Croft
• Disciplines of a Godly Man, Kent Hughes
• Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work, Eugene Peterson
• Progress, Adrian Reynolds
• An All-Round Ministry, Charles Spurgeon
• Lectures to My Students, Charles Spurgeon
• Shepherding the Church, Joseph Stowell
• Confident Pastoral Ministry, Sugden/Wiersbe