Necessary Church Leadership Functions
Pastors fulfill vital responsibilities for a church. To begin with, they govern, supervise, and oversee all church functions. This does not require them to be present or involved in every activity and event; but they should ensure that necessary and appropriate functions occur in an orderly, God-honoring fashion (Acts 20:28; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 3:4-5; 5:17; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:2). Deacons help pastors fulfill this responsibility effectively (Acts 6:1-6).They are responsible to study, teach, and preach biblical truth in an accurate and transforming manner (Eph. 4:11; 1 Tim. 3:2; 4:13; 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; 4:1-2; Tit. 1:9). This should occur before the entire congregation as a public gathering (Acts 2:46; 19:8-9; 20:20), especially on the Lord’s Day (Acts 20:6; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Rev. 1:10). But this should also occur among smaller gatherings and with individuals throughout the week, whether in homes or elsewhere (Acts 2:46; 5:42; 20:20; Rom. 16:2; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Phil. 2). Coffee shops anyone?They are responsible to pray, both for and with the congregation (Acts 6:4; Jam. 5:14) They are likewise responsible to equip the congregation to pray effectively in a comprehensive manner (1 Tim. 2:1-3), especially as a congregation assembled together for that purpose (1 Cor. 11:2-16; 1 Tim. 2:8-11).They are responsible to guard the church against doctrinal error, distracting causes, unbiblical behavioral trends (2 Thess. 3:10-12), and divisive people (Acts 20:28; Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 2:16-18).They are responsible to provide a living, visible example of biblical Christianity, providing a pattern for church members to follow and providing an example to the observing world (1 Tim. 4:12).They are responsible to evangelize the unregenerate, whether witnessing to individuals or leading in gospel outreach initiatives such as exploratory evangelism and church planting (Matt. 28:18-19; Acts 13:1-5; 2 Tim. 4:5).They are responsible to equip church members to do the work of the ministry for themselves, guiding them to understand their spiritual gifting, make disciples, and to obey all that Christ as commanded them (Matt. 28:20; Eph. 4:12-16). This includes mentoring new church leaders (2 Tim. 2:2).
