First published August 20, 2000 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -

The following article by Edgar C. Carlisle was first published in O Timothy magazine, volume 3, issue 4, 1986.

Let there be no mistake about it, a pastor is to rule a church. If you are a timid preacher I encourage you to ask God to fill your religious backbone with spiritual courage. Then step up to your line of duty and do what you are told: rule the church. But if you are a man who must always have your way, don't flex your authoritative muscles and roar, "I'm the pastor around here! And the Bible commands you to obey them that have the rule over you." I'd suggest that both of you take a serious look with me at how a pastor is to rule a church.

If you are a church member reading this, don't get scared. As you read this article you will find relief. I think you'll say, "Now, that's how I want my pastor to rule."

There are four clear-cut references in the New Testament which speak of pastors ruling churches. The first is 1 Timothy 5:17, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine." In this Scripture the word "rule" is from the Greek word "proistemi."

The other three references are in Hebrews --

"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." Hebrews 13:7

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17.

"Salute them which have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you." Hebrews 13:24.

In these three scriptures the word "rule" is translated from the Greek word "hegeomai."

These two Greek words, "proistemi" and "hegeomai," carry additional meanings that teach us how pastors are to rule. Their definitions fall into three categories: administration, protection and ministration (service).

Let's look at these definitions.

ADMINISTRATION

1 Timothy 5:17
Hebrews 13:7,17,24

The above definitions reveal that the ruling work of a pastor involves leading and directing the affairs and activities of the church. He is the chief administrator. His office of bishop automatically places him over the congregation to lead the way and manage their ministries.

The pastor is to guide every phase of the church functions. He cannot hold every administrative office, but every leader in the church should look to and cooperate with the pastor. He has the responsibility before God of being the leader of the church. The members have the responsibility of obeying that leadership.

This does not give the pastor the right to be bullish. Pastors can sometimes push unwise programs. Ruling does not make him a dictator. He is to guide as Thayer says, "leading as respects influence."

A pastor should lead wisely so that the people grow to respect his influence. It should be his spiritual influence, not his thundering demands, that produces cooperation from the members [though there is definitely a time for the pastor to make thundering demands -- see Titus 1:13, for example!].

The second area of ruling involves:

PROTECTION

1 Timothy 5:17

The pastor rules by protecting the flock of spiritual sheep from religious wolves. Some dangers are from people outside of the church. Sometimes false teachers appear within the membership.

How does the pastor guard the church? By teaching them the truths of God's Word. Also by keeping them informed of false teachings so the members will recognize heresy when they hear or read it. Many means of doing this are available to him.

The pastor needs wisdom in recognizing a hardened heretic within the membership. The bishop [local church pastor] must be careful not to attack, hurt and run off someone who is honestly confused, someone who has sincere questions and doubts, someone who is somewhat unstable. I have seen this happen. He must be discerning and cautious in his dealings. Yet he must not allow doctrines to be taught in Bible classes or homes that are contrary to the confession of faith adopted by the church. The members should stand with their pastor in such matters.

This doesn't mean every pastor is always right in everything he teaches. He must allow some right to differ without driving away disagreeing members.

Demanding that every member and teacher accept everything the pastor teaches drives away many good Bible students and eventually digs his grave in that church.

The third aspect of ruling is:

MINISTRATION

1 Timothy 5:17
"proistemi"

Greek Dictionary Definitions:
Gingrich: Be concerned about
Vine: To attend to
Thayer: To care for, to give aid
Newman: To give help

The above definitions insert a loving heart into the work of ruling. The pastor is to love every member and show it. This conditions his role of leadership and protection. Deeply caring about the members prevents him from being an overlord who either runs over members or runs them off [without proper and biblical cause].

Ruling involves ministering to or serving the members. According to Jesus in Matthew 20:25-28 if a pastor is a great ruler he is a great minister, a great servant. Sinful pride in a preacher is revealed when he throws his weight around. Meekness, humility and eagerness to lovingly help do not weaken his authority. It increases the members' respect for him. It heightens his ministerial stature. It enlarges his "leadership by influence."

Too often a pastor thinks of ruling only as being boss. But the above definitions reveal it to include the servant side. Any preacher who is unwilling to serve, help and aid his people will lose their positive response to his leadership. Like Moses, the modern pastor must temper courage with meekness. Like Christ, the pastor's example, superintending must be flavored with public humility.

RULE WITH GOD'S WORD

Is this all there is to ruling? Not quite. Hebrews 13:7 teaches: "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God..."

This does not mean that just because a man teaches and preaches the Bible he automatically has the authority to rule over a congregation. Hebrews 13:7 reveals HOW he is to rule. He rules WITH THE WORD.

How? He reads to the people what Christ commands in the New Testament. He teaches the church out of the Holy Scriptures what God says for him and them to do. The members should then be able to read and see those commandments and practices as plainly as the pastor.

Demanding that the people obey the preacher is not ruling. Just because the pastor preaches something is not enough. If he says the Bible teaches an idea he should cite clear-cut scriptures that plainly say so. Members should beware of the man who insists that people trust him. They have a right to refuse to follow strange ideas they can't find in clear language in the New Testament. This blindly following men has resulted in confusion and chaos in Christendom.

God's man will have no fear of questions about his teachings. He will urge the members to think for themselves and be "Berean Christians." They "searched the Scriptures daily" to see if what Paul taught was true. Acts 17:10,11.

Ruling a church is teaching and urging the members to believe and do what Christ plainly commanded. Their obedience then is not just to the pastor.

It is to Christ. The pastor becomes God's agent in achieving this obedience. This is how he is to rule a church.

RULE BY FAITH

Hebrews 13:7 also says, "... whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." Pastors are to rule by their faith.

Faith involves doctrinal beliefs. See Jude 3. A pastor's doctrines should be clear to the people that they are God's doctrines. The members should be able to read in the New Testament what their pastor believes. Then he has the authority to urge the members to accept and follow those teachings.
This is how he rules.

Faith also involves a personal trust in God. Romans 1:17. The pastor must be a man of bold but wise trust in the Lord. The people should see him live this way and see how God blesses him. Then he can urge them to do likewise.

This also is how the pastor rules.

RULE BY WATCHING

The final step in ruling is found in Hebrews 13:17. Concerning the pastor it says, "... for they watch for your souls..." This word "watch" comes from "agrupneo" meaning to be watchful even to the point of losing sleep.

This does not imply that the pastor is to stay up nights spying on the members. This does reveal, though, that a pastor is to observe the lives of the members. Some of their conduct may cause him to be so concerned that he stays awake at night praying for them. He may lose sleep searching the Word of find truths to help them. He yearns to see them return to righteous living. He prays for wisdom in how to reach and help these straying sheep.

Then this pastor follows God's Word and his inner leadings as to when to talk to them and what to say.

Ruling a church requires God's grace, God's wisdom, God's leadership and God's power. If any service requires utter dependence upon the Lord, it is the work of ruling a church. It is a fulltime work. It is an honorable work. In fact, there is no greater work on earth than that of Holy Spirit-led ruling. The judgment seat of Christ will produce many glorious rewards for these humble, faithful servants of the Lord.

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (I Peter 5:1-4)