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The Pastor as Father

Over the next several weeks I want to bring to mind some quotes from various pastor/theologians regarding the issue of oversight and shepherding. When one considers the weightiness of a calling like Hebrews 13:17, wherein pastors are told that they will give an account of the way in which they kept watch over the souls of their people, it is indeed a sobering reality. Much attention is given to the ministry of preaching, and rightly so. We must also, however, give demonstrate the necessity and importance of the shepherding ministry. John Calvin, a well known theologian, should also be recognized for what he is, namely, a pastor. Here he discusses the reality of preaching being connected to the shepherding ministry of a church. One must preach specifically to the people, and this is done by knowing the people through shepherding. May we preach passionately and truthfully, and may we as pastors shepherd specifically and carefully.

Unquestionably, no one will ever be a good pastor, unless he shows himself to be a  father to the Church that is committed to him. Nor does he merely declare himself to be such to the entire body, but even to the individual members. For it is not enough that a pastor in the pulpit teach all in common, if he does not add also particular instruction, according as necessity requires, or occasion offers. Hence Paul himself, in Acts 20:26, declares himself to be free from the blood of all men, because he did not cease to admonish all publicly, and also individually in private in their own houses. For instruction given in common is sometimes of little service, and some cannot be corrected or cured without particular medicine.

Jeremy Kimble (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Cedarville University. He is an editor for Credo Magazine as well as the author of That His Spirit May Be Saved: Church Discipline as a Means to Repentance and Perseverance and numerous book reviews. He is married to Rachel and has two children, Hannah and Jonathan.

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