The Shepherds of the Church

In the Bible, a Pastor is not a positional title but a spiritual gift.  The Greek word for pastor is also the same word for shepherd.  God has given him the skills, training, experiences and heart to shepherd God’s sheep.

Many church pastors have great admin skills, ability to preach and teach, and are great leaders, but it is very possible that the pastor does not have the spiritual gift of pastoring.  Our term for pastor is not always the same as God’s.

A pastor can be anyone in the church.  They do not have to be the leader of a group of Christians.  God’s idea of who to give gifts to might not agree with our ideas.  A pastor equips the body of Christ in times of pain and suffering.  When a Christian is wounded and broken, the pastor comes along side them to help mend and comfort them.  The Pastor knows how to mend broken relationships.  They have the wisdom of God to sooth and comfort the emotionally wounded.  The pastor has empathy for the grieving hearted.  Their language is the language of the heart.

To read about other ministry gifts, please click the word below:
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Teachers

This post is based upon the book "Viral Jesus" by Ross Rohde 

Photo Credit: selbstinszinierung durch fremdbestimmung by der bobbel