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The Preacher's Role
What does the Bible say a preacher (shepherd, overseer, minister or pastor) should be
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- He must not be a new believer lest he become puffed up with pride like Lucifer did and fall.
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:6
- Unbelievers must speak well of him unless he has been ensnared by WORLDLY TEMPTATIONS.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:7
- A preacher should not drink fermented-alcoholic beverages, or be violent, or argumentative, or love money.
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous. 1 Timothy 3:3
- He is a shepherd, an overseer, a spiritual father to his flock.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers. Ephesians 4:11
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1-3
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:4-6
- He is to be a mentor and counselor.
"Mentor" according to dictionary.com means "a wise and trusted counselor or teacher." Preacher's (ministers, pastors) should be trustworthy, not a gossiper. They should be ready to counsel and guide young and old people with biblical knowledge and understanding that will build their faith and trust in the Lord.
Many today think that the position of Pastor begins and ends in the pulpit. WRONG! Preachers are NEGLECTING their biblical duties when they refuse to mentor and counsel their flock, or when they delegate tasks they themselves should be doing to other people because they say that they don't have the time. Read Mentoring and Being Mentored
If a preacher does not have time for his biblical duties then he needs to change his priorities or even change his occupation!
A Pastors duty is to win souls for Jesus Christ, to point and guide people in the right direction and this includes MENTORING and COUNSELING, and listening to people's hurts and needs. By refusing to mentor and counsel people they could be turning some people away from Jesus altogether.
A wise [man] will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. Proverbs 1:5
The pastor serves God’s people as leader, preacher, teacher, counselor, overseer and chief intercessor. He must perform spiritual surgery and apply healing balm to the souls of his people on a daily basis. -Pastor Dan Miller, What Is the Role of the Pastor's Wife?-
- He is to be a SERVANT.
For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Corinthians 9:19
-one who serves [Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary]
The Preacher's Reward
For those who preached the Word of God without compromise..........
If others be partakers of [this] power over you, [are] not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for [it were] better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation [of the gospel] is committed unto me.
What is my reward then? [Verily] that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Corinthians 9:12-19