Pastors are a Gift from God

Some Pastors

Jesus Christ assigns the work of Christian ministry to every believer in every church (Eph. 4:12). To equip them for this mutual task, he provides churches with pastors. The New Testament describes pastors as something that he gives. So, he gives some men to churches as a gift (Eph. 4:11).

Within and Without

How does he provide these men? In some cases, a pastor may arise from within the congregation (Tit. 1:5). In other cases, a resident pastor may recruit and recommend a new pastor from elsewhere (Acts 11:25-26). But whether from without or within, God provides churches with pastors to carry out necessary leadership functions that equip members to fulfill the ministry God has entrusted to them (Acts 20:28).

Answering to God

Yes, Christ assigns the work of Christian ministry to every believer in every church (Eph. 4:12). Consequently, every believer must give an account of himself before God (Rom. 14:12). But as pastors take on the larger responsibility of guiding churches to do this work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11), they must give an account before God both for themselves, and also for the believers in their care (Heb. 13:17). This is a sacred task and a sobering reality.