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The Office of Pastor and Teacher

The office of pastor and teacher (Eph. 2:11) is the third permanent office in the church. That it is an office requiring ordination is clear from I Timothy 4:14 and Romans 10:15. Its primary task is labouring "in the word and doctrine" (I Tim. 5:17), that is, the preaching of the gospel.

Nevertheless, as I Tim. 5:17 shows, those who labour in the word and doctrine are elders along with those who rule in the church. Indeed, this verse shows us that the ministers of the gospel also rule, just as the ruling elders are also pastors (Acts 20:28). Scripture makes no absolute separation between these two offices.

That the primary task of these "word and doctrine" elders is the preaching of the gospel is clear from II Timothy 4:2 and many other passages. This office, as Ephesians 2:11 reminds us, is a teaching office therefore.

The business of the preacher, therefore, is not to entertain. His business is not even first of all to "evangelise" in the usual sense of that word. His work is teaching.

That needs emphasis. Many preachers of the gospel seem to have forgotten it. Whatever they are doing, they are doing precious little teaching. Often the members of the congregation sit under their preaching for years and learn next to nothing. That is not always the fault of the preacher, of course, but more often than not it is.

Not only does the preacher have the calling to teach the older members of the congregation but also the children (Jn. 21:15). The preacher ought, then, to give regular instruction to the church's children, teaching them both Bible history and Bible doctrine, and not using silly and useless "children's addresses" where nothing is taught or learned.

The preacher even has the calling to instruct other young men and to prepare them for the ministry of the Word (II Tim. 2:2). In harmony with this Reformed churches have always appointed ministers of the gospel to this work. In this as in all else a preacher is also a pastor, a shepherd of God's people with great responsibilities to them (Ezek. 34:1-6).

As part of his calling to teach, however, the preacher also has the responsibility to read and study (I Tim. 4:13), and to give heed to doctrine, that is, to learn and know it (I Tim. 4:16), matters that are often neglected by those who hold this office.

For this reason it is preferable that those who hold this office have opportunity to "give heed to doctrine," and to receive training and instruction before they take up their responsibilities. How this is done is not as important as that it be done.

The congregation, too, has a responsibility in all this. Like the church in Colosse, they must say to their preacher "take heed to the ministry which thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it" (4:17). The congregation must say this! They must say it often and especially when the minister is not giving heed to the responsibilities we have outlined.

This office is not meant to be an easy job for those who hold it, but is appointed by God for the salvation of His people. Woe to those shepherds that do not feed the flock! (Ezek. 34:2).

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Additional Info

  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 13
Hanko, Ronald

Rev. Ronald Hanko (Wife: Nancy)

Ordained: November 1979

Pastorates: Wyckoff, NJ - 1979; Trinity, Houston, TX - 1986; Missionary to N.Ireland - 1993; Lynden, WA - 2002; Emeritus October 15, 2017

Website: www.lyndenprc.org/sermons/

Contact Details

  • Address
    13823 Clear Lake Rd.
  • City
    Medical Lake
  • State or Province
    WA
  • Zip Code
    99022
  • Country
    United States
  • Mobile
    360-527-6633

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