A Pastor's Divine Calling

A lot of people today think that being a pastor is mostly about having a great voice, being able to entertain or make people laugh, being a good motivational speaker, desiring a ministry position, or having a good stature. But the Bible doesn't say that these are requirements for being a pastor-teacher. While graduating from a seminary is a beneficial advantage due to the knowledge it provides, it is not a requirement, as one may earn such a degree in the course of ministry.

The role of a pastor-teacher is not merely a position—it is a divine calling. It is a sacred responsibility entrusted by God to those whom He has appointed to shepherd His people and faithfully teach His Word (Ephesians 4:11). Such a calling requires humility, spiritual maturity, and a heart fully devoted to Christ and His Church.

The Bible emphasizes character, sound doctrine, and faithful leadership. In 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9, the apostle Paul outlines the qualifications of a pastor (or overseer) as being above reproach, self-controlled, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness or violence, and as someone who manages his household well. These passages make no mention of performance-based traits or external appeal, but rather focus on spiritual maturity and integrity. It also emphasizes the expectation for a man to take leadership within the church, highlighting qualities such as being the husband of one wife and managing his household well as indicators of his ability to lead. However, it does not explicitly state that women are prohibited from serving in the role of shepherd-teacher within the church. Scripture names several women who functioned in significant ministry roles: a deacon, such as Phoebe (Rom. 16:1–2); a teacher, like Priscilla alongside her husband and a co-worker of Paul (Acts 18:18–28; Rom. 16:3); an outstanding apostle, like Junia (Rom. 16:7); co-workers of Paul, like Euodia and Syntyche (Phil. 4:2–3); a church leader, like Nympha (Col. 4:15); and a church leader—or possibly a church pastor—like the elect lady (2 John 1:1).

There are believers who has the spiritual gift of teaching but have not been given the grace to shepherd the flock in a large setting. In contrast, all pastors are also teachers, as the structure of Ephesians 4:11—where both roles are governed by a single definite article—indicates a unified pastoral-teaching office. The term pastor-teacher (ποιμένας καὶ διδασκάλους) comes from Ephesians 4:11 and refers to someone who knows how to shepherd and teach people. It begins with a small group of individuals whom God has entrusted to you.

This raises some important questions: Are you faithfully shepherding your small group? Are you taking care of them? Is the group being nurtured and growing spiritually under his care? Are you being faithful in feeding them with God’s Word? Is your small group growing in number as you meet with them regularly? My hope and prayer is that you remain faithful in your calling—feeding the flock with God’s Word, walking alongside them in love, and helping them grow in Christlikeness. Remember, this is already your training ground before God entrusts you with greater responsibilities. As Jesus said in John 21:17, 'Feed My sheep.'"

The words “pastor” and “preacher” are not the same. It has become part of our tradition to assume that if someone preaches in a loud voice, he is automatically a pastor; and if he speaks in a monotonous tone, then he must be a teacher in a seminary. A pastor can both preach and teach, but a person who preaches is not necessarily a pastor or a teacher. This is because the word “preach” comes from the Greek word κηρύξαι, which means to declare or proclaim God’s Word of truth. Any believer can declare the truth of God’s Word, as all believers are called to do the work of an evangelist (2 Tim. 4:5).

However, not all believers can shepherd (or pastor) and teach a congregation in a way that encourages and strengthens them. A shepherd-teacher genuinely cares for his flock, dedicating his time and energy to pray for them and to offer counsel when needed.

The pastoral calling involves more than public speaking—it requires genuine care for the flock. A pastor-teacher invests time, prayer, and energy in the lives of those he leads. He counsels the weary, strengthens the weak, and walks alongside the broken. He disciples and raise them to be leaders so they can proclaim God's word to the lost. His ministry flows from love, grounded in God’s Word and guided by the Holy Spirit.

The Scripture, emphasizes godly character, sound doctrine, and godly leadership as qualities of a pastor (or overseer). The apostle Paul lists many more qualities in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. These include being above reproach, self-controlled, hospitable, competent to instruct, not prone to drunkenness or violence, and managing his household wisely. These verses don't talk about attributes that are dependent on performance or how appealing someone is on the outside. Instead, they talk about spiritual growth and honesty.

He shouldn't go into ministry for the purpose of financial gain; instead, he should serve with a pure heart and trust God to meet his daily needs. 1 Peter 5:2 says that pastors should care for God's sheep "not for shameful gain, but eagerly." A faithful servant depends on what God gives them and tries to please Him above everything else.

Here are some practical tips for those who believe they are called by the Lord to full-time pastoral ministry:

Be faithful in serving the Lord within your local church.
Be patient as you wait for the Lord’s appointed time.
Be humble at all times.
Be teachable when receiving correction.
Be passionate for the lost through consistent evangelism.
Be caring toward fellow believers by discipling them.
Be convinced of your church’s mission and vision.
Be united with your church’s leadership team.
Be hungry to grow in your faith and theological understanding.
Be intimate with the Lord through prayer, study, and meditation on Scripture.
Be guarded against the deceptions of the enemy.
Be intentional in doing all things out of love for the Lord.

Having reflected on these truths, do you still believe that you are called to be a pastor-teacher?