2. Pastoral Responsibility I. Key Passages Relating to Pastoral Ministry A. Numbers 27:15-17 B. Psalm 23 C. Proverbs 27:23 D. Jeremiah 10:21 E. Jeremiah 23:1-4

3. F. Ezekiel 34:1-31 G. Zechariah 11:17 H. John 10:1-29

4. II. The Need for True Shepherds or Pastoral Ministry A. God’s people are likened to sheep (Num. 27:17; I Kgs. 22:17; II Chr. 18:16; Zech. 10:2; Mt. 9:36; John 10:14, 27). 1. On the negative side, sheep are very needy.

5. Sheep are especially needy because they have: a. No ability to find food on their own (Num. 27:16-17). b. No instinct to return home (Ezek. 34:6-8). c. No natural defense system.

6. 2. On the positive side, sheep were always considered very valuable. They were valuable to the shepherd because they are able provide most of man’s needs including: a. Meat b. Milk c. Clothing

7. B. God’s people, like sheep, are in need of shepherding care.

8. III. Biblical Figures and Symbols Connected to Pastoral Ministry There are several figures and symbols that are used in the Bible in connection with the shepherding or pastoral ministry. Each one of them emphasizes a different aspect of the function of shepherds. A. Shepherd (Ezek. 34:7). Emphasis: Feeding and Leading

9. B. Staff (Ps. 23:4). Emphasis: Rescuing and Guiding C. Stay. Emphasis: Supporting and Upholding D. Rod (Mic. 6:9; 7:14). Emphasis: Protecting and Correcting E. Door (John 10:9). Emphasis: Providing and Inspecting F. Elder (Acts 20:17, 28). Emphasis: Watching and Maturing

10. IV. The Responsibilities of True Shepherds The Bible outlines nine areas of function for a true shepherd. A. Feeding the Sheep (Ezekiel 34:2, 13-15) 1. Feeding involves rightly dividing the word (II Tim. 2:15). 2. Proper feeding involves a balanced diet (Ps. 85:10). 3. Proper feeding will bring authority and cause gathering (Ezek. 34:13).

11. 4. Proper feeding will bring rest to the flock (Ezek. 34:14-15). 5. Proper feeding will produce healthy reproductive sheep (Jer. 23:3-4). 6. Proper feeding is dependent upon the pastor being fed (I Tim. 4:16).

12. B. Leading by Example (I Pet. 5:2-3). 1. Leading is the opposite of driving (Gen. 33:13). 2. Leading involves providing an example that people can follow (Phil. 3:17). 3. Leading involves going the way before the people (John 10:4). 4. Leading involves demonstrating your faith before the sheep (Hebrews 13:7).

13. 5. Leading involves maintaining a good report or testimony inside and outside of the church (Acts 6:3; I Tim. 3:7).

14. C. Watching Over the Flock (Acts 20:28, 31; II Tim. 4:5). 1. Watching involves knowing the state of the flock (Pro. 27:23). a. The word “watch” in the Greek means “to hold to, to turn to, to turn one’s attention to; hence, to give heed to.”

15. b. The word “watch” in the English means: To look or observe attentively or carefully. To look and wait expectantly. To stay awake at night while serving as a guard, sentinel or watchman. To keep vigil

16. 2. Watching involves judging the saints (I Cor. 5:3). a. This means being ready for action. b. This means getting involved in negatives. c. This means warning people of impending danger and wolves. 3. Watching involves inspecting the sheep and being aware of needs (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:l, 8,15).

17. D. Reaching Out and Delivering the Needy (Ps. 23:1). 1. God sent pastors to meets the needs of His people (Jer. 23:1-4). a. Physical needs This includes things like health, food, clothing and shelter.

18. b. Emotional needs This may include counseling in areas of addictions, personal stability, grief and stress related issues. c. Financial needs This includes issues of provision, prosperity, employment and future planning.

19. d. Spiritual needs This includes personal growth and maturity, family success and relationships between God and man. 2. Pastors are not to wait until the people come (Ezek. 34:4, 16). Pastors are to be proactive when it comes to ministering to the needs of the flock

21. 3. Pastors must be able to give wise counsel (Is. 1:26).

22. E. Maturing the Flock 1. Maturing involves correcting and disciplining when needed (Tit. 2:15). 2. Maturing involves teaching practical principles of life (Ex. 18:20). 3. Maturing involves discipleship (Mt. 28:20). 4. Maturing involves bringing people into their place of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).

23. F. Training and Raising up Leaders (II Tim. 2:2). 1. Shepherds must multiply their ministry in others (Ex. 18:21-23). 2. Shepherds must be able to identify leaders (Ex. 18:21: Tit. 1:5-6). 3. Shepherds must impart their vision to others (Phil. 2:20). 4. Shepherds must be able to release others (Num. 11:17, 25, 29).

24. G. Protecting the Sheep (Ezek. 33:6). 1. This involves withstanding those who pervert the Gospel (Tit. 1:9-13). a. Guarding against cycles of doctrine (Eph. 4:14). b. Guarding against a mixed Gospel (Gal. 1:9). c. Guarding against wolves who would make spoil of the flock (Acts 20:28- 30).

25. 2. This involves protecting them from each other. a. Guarding their relationships (Gal. 5:15). b. Guarding their unity (Eph. 4:3). 3. This involves protecting them from themselves. a. Guarding their schedule. b. Guarding their priorities (Mt. 6:33).

26. H. Keeping Pure (Acts 20:28). 1. Morally pure (I Tim. 5:22) 2. Financially pure (I Tim. 6:10) a. This means great care in handling finances (I Pet. 5:2). A few tips include… Don’t get yourself into personal debt.

27. Keep accurate books of all income and expenses. Let someone else keep the books and sign the checks. Have a team of people count the money, make out the deposit slips and deposit the money. Be financially accountable.

28. b. This means being free from get rich schemes (II Tim. 2:4). 3. Spiritually pure (I Tim. 4:14-16) I. Accounting to the Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:17).