As I understand the work of a pastor in the New Testament church, he cares for the spiritual development of those persons in his church group. He teaches scriptures showing the church the way we are to live in the church according to the New Testament Bible. Usually a pastor cares for one church group in one town, whereas an evangelist might go from city to city speaking to people of this world concerning salvation. A pastor feeds the sheep of the congregation who are the church.
But the following scriptures show us God was not pleased with many of the pastors, or the OT priests who handled the law, or the prophets.
Jeremiah 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew ME not: the pastors also transgressed against ME, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.
God says:
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 10:21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Jeremiah 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed MY vineyard, they have trodden MY portion under foot, they have made MY pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jeremiah 22:22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.
Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
When pastor fails to speak the truth, the righteous in the congregation will have to leave, thus being scattered.
Jeremiah 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed MY people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited (judged ) them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed MY people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited (judged ) them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Pastors should "judge" that which the individuals in the congregation are doing and turn the church to the scriptures to correct their ways when they are not according to the way of God. Thus pastors "visit" them, seeing their need, whether secular, or their need for correction in their way which they go on this earth.
Jesus sets up the New Testament church from heaven after HIS resurrection:
Ephesians 4:11 And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Ephesians 4:11 And HE (Jesus) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
A description of the basic work of the ministries appointed by Jesus for the New Testament church: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher.
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Basic work of the ministries of Jesus for the NT church:
* apostles: are anointed by God to deal with church doctrines and to try to keep churches going in the New Testament rules of God.
* prophets: are sent by God to the churches and to ministers to bring information and correction to try to turn the church people to God.
* evangelists: are sent by God to the world to preach the way of salvation through Jesus.
* pastors and teachers: can be one office in the church as a combined "pastor & teacher", or teacher might be separate office for we know the apostle Paul was a teacher but not a pastor. Basically they feed the sheep with godly messages according to the Bible.
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