What a Pastor Is (And What He’s Not)

KEY VERSES:

• Acts 20:17–28
• 1 Peter 5:1–4
• 1 Timothy 3
• Ephesians 4:11–12
• Matthew 14
• Mark 6
• Luke 6
• John 6
• Luke 15
• Acts 6:2–4
• 1 Timothy 4:12
• Ezekiel 34
• Romans 12:6–8

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Introduction: What is a pastor, really? Everyone has opinions—but the Bible gives clarity.
• Common Misconceptions: Pastors are often expected to do everything. One survey even averaged 114 hours/week of “expected” work!
• Defining the Terms:
  • Pastor = Shepherd (cares, protects, feeds)
  • Elder = Spiritually mature leader
  • Bishop = Overseer who watches over people and doctrine (Acts 20:17–28; 1 Peter 5)
• Qualifications of a Pastor (1 Timothy 3):
  • Blameless, faithful to one spouse, temperate, not violent, hospitable, able to teach, not greedy, respectable, etc.
  • Most of these are things all Christians should aim for—pastors just live them out consistently.
• What Pastors Actually Do:
  • Teach and Equip: Pastors equip the church to do ministry, not do it all themselves (Ephesians 4:11–12).
  • Pray: Like Jesus, pastors need space to be with God (Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 6; John 6).
  • Shepherd: Seek the lost (Luke 15), protect from wolves (Acts 20), care for the hurting, and lead by example (1 Timothy 4:12).
• The Cost of Neglect: A church that doesn’t prioritize biblical teaching falls into chaos. Real stories from the speaker’s past church underline this truth.
• Final Challenge: Support your pastor. Don’t overload him. Pray. Get involved. You’re in ministry too.

TALK ABOUT IT:

• What do I expect from my pastor—and are those expectations realistic or biblical?
• Am I taking ownership of ministry in my church or leaving it all to a few people?
• Which of the pastor’s qualifications (1 Timothy 3) do I struggle with most—and why?
• Do I make space for God's Word in my life the same way pastors need to for their teaching?
• How can I support and encourage my church leaders better this week?
• Have I ever confused being busy at church with being spiritually mature?
• What’s one practical way I can lighten the load in my church community?

APPLY IT:

• Shift your mindset—your pastor isn’t the only one doing ministry. You are part of it.
• Pray for your pastors to have space to study, teach, and rest.
• Don’t expect one person to meet everyone’s needs—support a healthy team approach.
• Start growing in your own knowledge of Scripture so you can minister to others.
• Check your expectations of church leadership—are they biblical or just personal preference?
• Offer to serve in a way that lightens your pastor’s load.
• Commit to being a mature believer who reflects the same character God calls pastors to live out.