Pastors are Teachers
A symbolic thread of the shepherd-king woven throughout the tapestry of Scripture (1 Chr. 17:6; Ps. 23; Jer. 6:3; 23:4; Mic. 5:5-6; Nah. 3:18; Jn. 10:11; Re. 7:16-17) is the same thread used to create a mantel for the pastor as teacher. The New Testament reference to “shepherd” (Eph. 4:11, Acts 20:28), is literally the role of “pastor” (Eph. 4.11) and “teacher” (Eph. 4:11, Titus 1:9, 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:17). Pastors of The Church are to be shepherds responsible to The Chief Shepherd (1 Pe. 5:1), Who says, “shepherds after my own heart who will lead you with knowledge and understanding” (Jer. 3:15).
Biblical Theology of Pastor as Teacher
Shepherd or pastor-teachers taught based on knowledge from God (Jer 9:24-27). God Himself teaches (Ps. 25:8, 12; 27:11) so Jesus being called “teacher” comes as no surprise (Mat. 4:23; 5:2; 7:29; etc.). God’s spokespersons the priests and prophets taught, prophets being principally forth-tellers, expositors of God’s teaching from the Pentateuch (Lev. 10:11; Deu. 24:8; 33:8-10; 2 Chr. 17:7-9; Eze. 44:23; Mic. 3:11). Teaching based upon the Old Testament (Rom. 15:4; 1 Tim. 1:8-10; 2 Tim. 3:16) is referred to as “the faithful word” (Rom. 6:17; 16:17; Eph 4:21; Col 2:7; 2 The. 2:15; 2 Tim. 2:2; Ti. 1:9).
Teaching impacts the intellect which in turn is to impact being and behavior. “Sound” teaching indicates one who literally had good hygiene; they were healthy or well (1 Tim. 1:8-10; Mat. 6:22-3). Titus 1:9 and 2:1 emphasize hygienic doctrine; the verses serve as bookends around unsound living (Ti. 1:10-16). Teaching can be either positive or negative (Rom. 15:4; Col. 2:22) necessitating that teaching based on Scripture’s text was to be evaluated (1 Cor. 12:10; 14:29; 1 The. 5:21-22).
Teaching will either be right or wrong, good or bad. Rejection of unsound teaching (1 Tim.6:2) is a pastor’s responsibility. Pastors defend their people against teachers whose motives are self-centered or money-centered (1 Tim. 1:7; Ti. 1:11). Pastors must point out doctrine which is strange (Heb. 13:9), going against the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9-10). Pastors must specify certain groups (Rev. 2:14), their teaching (Rev 2:20, 24), and individuals (2 Tim. 2:16-19) who may dissuade The Church from truth (Eph. 4:14). False teaching will occur (2 Pe. 2:1), its origin being obvious (1 Tim. 4:1). Good pastors must replace bad pastors (Jer. 23:1-4), actively refuting unsound doctrine, teaching about Jesus (Ac. 28:30-31). Teaching is based upon Jesus’ person and work (Ac. 4:2, 18) and the teaching about Jesus is usually contentious (Ac 5:21, 24, 5:42).
Biblical Philosophy of Pastor as Teacher
Pastoral authority is from Heaven (Gal. 1:12; 1 Cor. 12:28). A pastor’s teaching is dependent upon The Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:14; 1 Jn 2:27). Pastoral teaching is a gift (Eph. 4:11), the gift of teaching to be used (Rom. 12:7; 1 Tim. 4:11, 13).
Teaching is intentional. Teaching includes planning ahead for what will be said later (1 Cor. 11:17, 34; 1 The. 4:2; 2 The. 3:6-15). Knowing what an audience can handle is significant. Paul knew that the Corinthians were mere infants, unable to handle more than breast-milk (1 Cor. 3:1-3). Pastor-teachers view themselves as responsible for the education of their people (1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim 1:11). The connection to fathers as teachers is important to identify (1 Cor. 4:17; Eph 4:21; Col 1:28; 2:7; 2 The. 2:15). Teaching demands both tact (1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:2) and confrontation (2 Tim. 1:13-14) A pastor holds to The Truth, encourages teaching in community, actively refuting unsound doctrine (Ti. 1:9).
The New Testament description of leaders (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Pe. 5:1-4) warns against the negative, highlighting the positive. Shepherds were to keep watch, be on their guard, serve as overseers, be willing, be eager, setting examples. God’s people were often referenced as sheep needing a shepherd (Mat. 9:36): one of Jesus’ final commands to Peter (Jn. 21:15-17).
Christian Practice of Pastor as Teacher
Disciple-making, literally learning, being the primary task of The Church is fostered through the continuous process of teaching (Mat. 28:19). Church people should not choose pastors who only tell them what they want to hear (2 Tim 4:3). Pastors have peoples’ eternal welfare in mind (Heb. 13:17). Pastoral oversight (Acts 20:28) is to be respected for the peoples’ own best interest (Heb. 13:17).
Self-reflection is the responsibility of a pastor to their own teaching (1 Tim. 4:16). Paul makes a point of saying “this is not about me” (1 Tim. 1:12-17). In fact, he ends with a hymn in verse 17, punctuating the truth. A pastor should live an earnestly devout life (2 Tim. 3:12) understanding that teaching is lived theology (Ti. 2:12).
A teacher is entrusted with authority (1 Tim. 4:11; Ti. 2:15), guarding the doctrinal treasure with the help of The Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 1:14). A pastor reads (2 Tim. 4:13) for the purpose of preaching, instruction, interpretation, application, and refutation. 2 Timothy 2:14-15 explains the importance of pastoral detail. Pastors are wary of extremes or disputes about words. An obsession over trivialities, majoring on the minors, and quibbles over minutia (1 Tim. 1:6, 6:20; 2 Tim. 2:16; Ti. 3:9) which is no good whatsoever, can literally cause a catastrophe. The corrective to the extreme is hard work. Diligence, documented approval, avoidance of shoddy workmanship, and cutting straight lines are the imperatives which produce strong doctrine.
Other Helps
Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon, 2nd ed.(Grand Rapids, Baker, 2005).
Lawrence O. Richards and Gary J. Bredfeldt, Creative Bible Teaching, rev. (Chicago, Moody Publishers, 1998).
“Pastor” (c) is published in the Christian Education Encyclopedia by Dr. Eckel.