The Calling of the Pastor

By Pastor Nick Bibile

It is a great blessing to be called by God to have intimate communion with our beloved Master Christ Jesus. The pastor’s calling is to preach the word, administrate the sacraments and to promote holiness in the church.

Pastors are ambassadors of Christ. (2 Cor 5:20) They are stewards and dispensers of mysteries in the house of God. (1 Cor 4:1). They did not choose to be a pastor but it’s a calling from God. They are soldiers of Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:3) and should perform the duties of generals and leaders in this service as their heavenly commander had called them to serve him. They are laborers in the field as they will work in the field and in the vineyard.

If they are self called, then God will condemn them. (Jer 23:21-32) They are thieves and robbers, not the true shepherd. (John 10:8)

The true calling will not puff the pastor in pride. He will not take the honor for himself as he is called by God. Pastor should not take the honor to himself like Aaron was called by God to be the priest, so also Christ did not glorify himself to be made a high priest as the scripture declares;

Heb 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

Aaron did introduce himself but waited for the divine calling, this is a general rule and a good illustration. In the calling of the pastor there is more labor than honor.

God called the O.T priests, prophets, Christ Jesus and the apostles to their office. They did not apply for the job, God called them. (Isa 6:8; Jer 1:4-5; Hos 1:1; Luke 4:18; John 20:21; Rom 1;1; 1Cor 1:1; Gal 1;1; 1 Pet 1;1)

Ac 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

We are not to ordain a pastor in a hurry, they need to be tried and tested.

1Ti 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Continued……