THE PASTORS CALLING THE PASTORS CALLING

Every pastor is called to be a theologian. The health of the church depends upon its pastors functioning as faithful theologians teaching, preaching, defending, and applying the great doctrines of the faith. The health of the church depends upon its pastors functioning as faithful theologians teaching, preaching, defending, and applying the great doctrines of the faith.

The pastor is to be the teacher of the Word of God and the teacher of the Gospel. Paul affirms Timothy's role as a theologian--affirming that all of Timothy's fellow pastors are to share in the same calling.

"Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you" [2 Timothy 1:13-14] "Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you" [2 Timothy 1:13-14]

"The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." [2 Timothy 2:2] "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." [2 Timothy 2:2]

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction" [2 Timothy 4:1-2]. "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction" [2 Timothy 4:1-2].

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." [2 Timothy 4:3-4] "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." [2 Timothy 4:3-4]

The pastoral theologian must be able to defend the faith even as he identifies false teachings and makes correction by the Word of God. There is no more theological calling than this-- guard the flock of God for the sake of God's truth.

Paul defined the duty of the overseer or pastor as one who is "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." [Titus 1:9] Paul defined the duty of the overseer or pastor as one who is "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." [Titus 1:9]

The pastor functions as a steward of the mysteries of God, explaining the deepest and most profound theological truths to a congregation which must be armed with the knowledge of these truths in order to grow as disciples and meet the challenge of faithfulness in the Christian life.

The managerial revolution has left many pastors feeling more like administrators than theologians, dealing with matters of organizational theory before ever turning to the deep truths of God's Word and the application of these truths to everyday life.

As a theologian, the pastor must be known for what he teaches, as well as for what he knows, affirms, and believes. All true Christian preaching is experiential preaching, set before the congregation by a man who is possessed by deep theological passion, specific theological convictions, and an eagerness to see these convictions shared by his congregation.

The main purpose of the pastors mission is to share Jesus, to be an agent of the kingdom of God and to extend the lordship of Jesus. This is not so much an activity as it is an identity. It is not what you do, but who you are. Practice a religion that is woven into the very fabric of your life.

Two ingredients of discipleship: 1. Commitment points to the time we made a conscious decision, Yes, Jesus, I belong to You. Come into my heart and mind, be Lord of my life. points to the time we made a conscious decision, Yes, Jesus, I belong to You. Come into my heart and mind, be Lord of my life. is subsequently remade daily, sometimes hourly. is subsequently remade daily, sometimes hourly.

involves a continual partnership with the living Lord. involves a continual partnership with the living Lord. is an open-ended commitment, much like marriage, open to a growing, deepening relationship. is an open-ended commitment, much like marriage, open to a growing, deepening relationship. 2. Obedience Obedience does not mean perfection, but a relationship.

All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so to blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. (Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, 668).

What does it mean to be a follower of Christ? It means to be a person who is committed to Jesus and grows in an obedient love relationship with Him. This relationship we call commitment faith. It is the basis of everything we do.

A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father. John 16:16 A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father. John 16:16 HOW TO EXPERIENCE JESUS CONTINUOUS PRESENCE IN MY LIFE