THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY OF A PASTOR IS TO FEED THE SHEEP!

God's primary assignment to a pastor is to feed His people with the knowledge of His Word and bring them into understanding. A pastor is called to teach, equip, correct, train, and develop believers so they can grow into spiritual maturity and become effective in the Kingdom of God.

Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV) says, “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

This is one of the MAIN things you should be looking for in a pastor! Not personality, popularity, charisma, entertainment, or how well they make you feel, but ARE YOU BEING FED THE WORD OF GOD? ARE YOU LEARNING? ARE YOU GROWING? ARE YOU MATURING?

Jesus told Peter in John 21:15–17, “Feed my lambs ... Feed my sheep.” Jesus emphasized the responsibility of caring for and feeding His people.

According to Ephesians 4:11–15, God gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the Body of Christ. The goal is to bring believers into maturity so they are no longer spiritual children tossed around by every wind of doctrine.

Acts 20:28 instructs overseers to take heed to themselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made them overseers, to feed the church of God.

1 Peter 5:2–3 commands spiritual leaders to feed the flock of God, willingly exercising oversight and being examples to the believers rather than ruling over them as dictators.

2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

Notice that pastoral ministry includes more than encouragement. It also includes correction, instruction, rebuke, and sound doctrine. A pastor who truly loves you will not withhold the truth simply because it might make you uncomfortable.

Colossians 1:28 teaches that we preach Christ, warning and teaching every person in all wisdom so that we may present every person perfect, or mature, in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

The Word of God is spiritual nourishment. Just as natural children must eat to develop physically, believers must consistently receive and apply the Word to develop spiritually.

PASTORS ARE NOT THERE TO PLAY WITH YOU!

Pastors are not called to simply entertain you, socialize with you, become your favorite personality, or tell you everything you want to hear. They are called to shepherd your soul and help develop you in the things of the Kingdom!

A pastor should carry the heart of a spiritual father or mother, helping believers grow, develop, mature, and become established in the things of God.

Paul explained this principle in 1 Corinthians 4:15–16 (KJV):

“For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.”

Paul wasn't simply interested in gathering people to hear him preach. He was interested in developing spiritual sons and daughters who would follow his example as he followed Christ.

In Galatians 4:19, Paul said, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”

That is the heart of spiritual parenting! The goal is not to make people dependent upon the pastor but to see Christ formed in them!

Paul also described his ministry in 1 Thessalonians 2:7–12, explaining how he cared for believers with the gentleness of a nursing mother and exhorted, comforted, and charged them as a father does his children.

Spiritual fathers and mothers nurture, teach, encourage, correct, and model godly living. They help believers discover their identity in Christ, understand their Kingdom responsibilities, and become spiritually mature.

A good pastor doesn't just make you feel good on Sunday. A good pastor feeds you the Word that helps you grow up, think right, live right, recognize error, exercise your faith, and become everything God has called you to be!

HONOR THOSE WHO FAITHFULLY FEED YOU!

1 Timothy 5:17 (KJV) says, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

Hebrews 13:7 instructs believers to remember those who have spoken the Word of God to them, consider the outcome of their way of life, and follow their faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 teaches believers to recognize those who labor among them, are over them in the Lord, and admonish them, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.

Pastors who faithfully study, teach, pray, correct, counsel, and help develop God's people should be appreciated and honored for their labor. Honor doesn't mean placing pastors above accountability or following them blindly. It means recognizing and valuing the spiritual responsibility God has entrusted to them.

The goal isn't just to have a pastor you like. The goal is to have a pastor who feeds you the Word, helps you develop in the Kingdom, and challenges you to GROW UP!

The evidence of effective pastoral ministry isn't simply how many people attend a church, but whether the people being fed are growing in the knowledge of God's Word, becoming spiritually mature, and producing the fruit of that Word in their everyday lives.

— Doc Murphy