The Authority of Pastors

Prayer: That God will bless and lead our pastor in every way.





2. The Authority of Pastors. All things earthly are liable to abuse, and that feature of congregational church government which places all the members on an equality in the transaction of church business, has been, in some instances at least, suffered to interfere with the deference due to pastors. There is a class of Scriptures whose import is not sufficiently considered - such as the following: "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake" (I Thess. 5:12. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" Q Tim. 5:17-18). "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God" (Heb. 13:7). "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account" (Heb. 13:17). "Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints" (Heb. 13:24).

In these passages pastors are referred to, and there is claimed for them an authority not belonging to other church-members. They are to be esteemed highly for their work's sake. Whatever esteem their personal merits may excite, they are to be chiefly esteemed for the great and glorious work in which they are engaged. On account of this work they are to be regarded worthy of "double honour," that is, special honor. (I Tim. 5:17) This surely is reasonable, for pastors are chosen by the churches over which they preside. The churches act voluntarily, and the love which prompts the choice of a pastor should secure for him reverential respect in the performance of his duties. The words rule, obey, and subndt in the foregoing quotations mean something. The ruling is not unrestricted; neither is the obedience and submission. The pastor is to rule in accordance with the law of Christ. No other kind of rule is legitimate or obligatory; but when he rules in accordance with the will of Christ, obedience and submission on the part of the members of the church are imperative duties. Andrew Fuller well says, "It is in this view, as teaching divine truth, and enforcing divine commands, that the servants of God, in all ages, have been invested with divine authority." (Complete Works, Vol. 1, p. 197) It may be added that this is the only sense in which men can be invested with divine authority.

Distinguished scholars are of the opinion that the two passages quoted, which refer to ruling, should be translated thus: "Remember your leaders," etc. "Obey your leaders," etc. Admitting the correctness of this rendering - and it cannot be denied - still the idea would not be essentially different. Pastors in leading their flocks do, in one sense, rule them; and in the only sense in which they should rule them. While the proper exercise of pastoral authority is essential to the spiritual welfare of a church, pastors must beware of assuming a power which does not belong to them. They must remember the words of Peter: "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock" (I Pet. 5:3). There must be, in the exercise of pastoral authority, nothing like priestly lordship or clerical despotism; but the influence of pastors must grow out of the fact that they faithfully obey the will of Christ, the great Shepherd, and thus set an example worthy of imitation. There is nothing which gives a pastor so much influence as unreserved consecration to the work of the Lord.

As the influence of judicious pastors increases the more they are known, the pastoral relation should be rendered as permanent as possible. It should not be dissolved for any slight cause. As to the custom of some churches that choose their pastors annually, it would be difficult to say too much in condemnation of it. It is vastly injurious both to pastors and churches. Pastors should be chosen for an indefinite period. If the work of the Lord prospers under their labors, well; if they find after a sufficient trial, that they are not accomplishing good, let them resign.





Discussion by Leader:

1. How each member can contribute to the work of a pastor?

2. Many pastors suffer nervous exhaustion after a few years in the ministry, how can we as members help our pastor in avoiding such exhaustion?





Parts for Assignment:

1. The authority of pastor. Three words to be studied - rule, submit, obey.

2. How the pastor is to rule the church.

3. What is the proper sense in which a pastor rules?

4. Where does the authority of the pastor come from?





Discussion Questions:

1. Why should great care be used in selecting a pastor?

2. Why and when should a church follow the suggestions of a pastor?

3. How should a church care for its pastor? Moral support. Financial support. Protection from unjust criticism.

4. Is the pastor to be recognized as the leader of the church ?


 

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