What Is the Function of the Christian Church Pastor?

Preaching is just one of the pastor's many responsibilities.

The function of a Christian church pastor goes far beyond preaching sermons. He relies on a variety of skills to ensure the success and health of the church. While many pastors approach their responsibilities in different ways, their functions are similar. They perform administrative tasks, train leaders and look after the emotional needs of the congregation.

Preaching

One of the Christian pastor’s major functions is preaching sermons. A good pastor studies the Bible on a daily basis to be familiar with the subject he’s going to teach. After studying, he prepares the sermon and tailors it to be applicable to his congregation. The purpose of the sermon is to teach, admonish and encourage the church.

Counseling

Church members that have problems often bring them to the pastor. Some pastors have a degree in counseling, while others are often qualified to be a counselor as someone who studies the Bible and can provide relevant advice and guidelines from a biblical perspective.

Shepherding

Acts 20:28 calls those who oversee the church shepherds, and their church members are the flock. Just as a shepherd leads and guides his sheep, so a pastor must lead and guide his congregation and promote healing. He admonishes those openly living in sin and helps restore them to a right relationship with God.

Vision Casting

Many pastors have a passion for a particular ministry, and their vision often reflects this. For example, the pastor may feel strongly about mission work, education, singles, married couples or children. While all churches have some aspect of all these ministries, the pastor’s vision often places emphasis on one or more of these. Once the pastor determines the vision, he shares it with his congregation and assigns people to help implement it.

Training

The pastor teaches and trains preachers or aspiring preachers who desire to pastor a church. He provides them with experience in the church to prepare them for ministry. He allows them to preach and serves as their mentor. Depending on the denomination, the pastor also helps his trainees become ordained. He may also train other leaders in the church such as deacons and Christian education leaders.

Visiting

A pastor’s responsibility often extends outside the church. He visits members who are sick and bedridden or in a hospital. He may also visit families who haven’t been to church in a while, or families who have had a death in the family.

Ceremonies and Sacraments

The pastor performs many ceremonies held in the church. He may preside over a marriage ceremony, hold a funeral or hold a baby dedication or christening service. In addition, the pastor performs Christian sacraments such as baptism and communion.

Resources

• “Mastering the pastoral Role”; Paul Cedar, Kent Hughes, Ben Patterson; 1991; pp. 15-22
• “Mastering pastoral Care”; Bruce Larson, Paul Anderson, Doug Self; 1990; pp. 15-26