1 The Role of the Pastor

2 The role of the pastor is not personally to do all of the needed ministry of the church (like a shepherd), but to ensure that the needed ministry of the church is being done (like a rancher). “to equip the saints for the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12)

3 The Role of the Pastor n T eaching n E vangelism n A doration n M inistry The pastor is to discern, clarify, communicate, and direct the congregation toward fulfillment of its “T.E.A.M.” mission.

4 The pastor is to discern, clarify, communicate, and direct the congregation toward fulfillment of its “T.E.A.M.” mission by providing the following: n Vision n Worship n Model n Leadership n Evangelism

5 Vision It is the pastor’s primary role to discern and teach the central spiritual vision and missionary task for the overall ministry of the church.

6 Worship The pastor will spiritually direct the congregation to richer worship life and long-term Christian growth through biblical proclamation, teaching, prayer, and praise.

7 Model The pastor is to be a spiritual model for congregation and community by exhibiting a rich personal devotional life, growth in piety and learning, and exemplary Christian public conduct.

8 Leadership The pastor shall provide supervisory leadership to staff in the performance of their ministries, and lead by empowering the Church Council, deacons, committees, and individuals to administer the various tasks of church and Christian life.

9 Evangelism The pastor will attend to the growth of the congregation through developing seeker-sensitive church structures and developing appropriate evangelistic relationships within the community, region, and denomination.

10 Evaluation Questions (for reviewing the performance of the pastor) These questions are based on the pastor’s job description and are thus appropriate starting points for an annual evaluation of performance.

11 Vision n Has the pastor understood clearly the central mission God has called the church to undertake? n Has the pastor communicated this vision-mission clearly to the congregation?

12 Worship n Has the pastor helped the church as a whole to grow in its ability to worship with more depth and breadth? n Has the pastor helped the congregation move toward greater corporate spiritual health? n Has the pastor preached, taught, and communicated biblical truth in a consistent and helpful way that causes the congregation to grow spiritually?

13 Model n Has the pastor visibly modeled Christian living and growth for the benefit of the congregation? n Has the pastor been an ambassador representing the church to the larger community? n Has the pastor been diligent to attain greater growth in personal prayer and devotion? n Has the pastor attended to continuing education and professional ministry development?

14 Leadership n Has the pastor supervised staff in an appropriate and helpful manner? n Has the pastor enabled committees to perform their duties? n Has the pastor given spiritual and administrative direction to individual church members so that the needed ministries have been carried out?

15 Evangelism n Has the pastor developed specific seeker-sensitive church structures? n Has the pastor interacted appropriately with the other pastors/churches and appropriate networks?

16 Things Pastors Do... - preach sermons and lead worship - plan for blocks of worship and preaching - teach classes or seminars - recruit leaders - baptisms, communion, weddings, funerals - visitation (prospect, member, hospital( - counseling (crisis or ongoing) - activities to orient new members - study, attend school, continuing education - intentional relationship (mentor/protégé) - pray and practice the spiritual disciplines - attend group and committee meetings - the bulletin - envision/ develop long-range goals and plans - reminder calls - moderate or attend church-wide meetings - settle disputes in church - work with the youth - set an example for church and community - order church supplies, jiggle the handle - unlock buildings, turn on heat, turn off lights - train church workers in spiritual skills - go to denominational functions - develop the group life of the church - ask why so-and-so wasn’t in church last Sunday Now, which should be the main domain of the pastor? - Vision - Worship - Model - Leadership/supervision - Evangelism

17 The Role of the Pastor Dr. John P. Chandler The Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congregational Leadership Copy right John Chandler, 2000

18