To Pastors and Their People
Becoming a pastor in a church is no small thing. As someone who has recently and joyfully accepted this calling, one verse has been constantly on my mind: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account” (Heb. 13:17).
Notice something peculiar about this text: it’s for both pastors and their people. It speaks about the office of pastor while being written for the whole church. With immortal souls at stake, what lessons might we, pastors, learn from this verse as we seek to build healthy leadership teams in our churches?
1. Pursue Teamwork
“Obey your leaders . . . for they are keeping watch over your souls.” Notice the plural. Church leadership is teamwork. Every instance of local-church leadership in the New Testament implies plurality (1 Pet. 5:1–5; Acts 14:14; 1 Tim. 5:17; Jas. 5:14).
Even before the New Testament taught plurality of pastors in the local church, the Old Testament was paving the way: “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Prov. 18:1). We would be foolish to attempt to leverage the categories of pop psychology as an excuse for being a loner. The New Testament includes no exception clauses for “introverts.”
Yet, more often than not, pastors will gravitate toward isolating themselves even from their fellow pastors. Why? The truth is that we isolate not because of personality type. We isolate because of sin. We isolate to “seek our own desire” and avoid having our preferences and whims challenged by the eyes and input of others.
Pastors must ask themselves the hard questions: What is the tenor and overall pattern of my ministry? Do I move toward teammates, toward teamwork, toward accountability, toward building and strengthening a team, with all its accompanying challenges? Or do I move subtly, or even shamelessly, in the opposite direction?
Soul-watching is a team project. Pastors keep watch over the souls of the church, and pastors are part of the church too.
2. Clarify the Office, Roles, and Expectations
“They are keeping watch over your souls.” The most common reason why pastors lack fruit is because they lack clarity. With so many needs and differing opportunities for good, pastors can be pulled in as many directions as there are people. To this end, Hebrews 13:7 serves as a sobering reminder: the primary task of pastors is to care for souls, to watch over them. Just as doctors attend to the health of the body, pastors attend to the health of the soul.
Practically, what does soul-watching entail? Knowing them. The apostle Paul commands, “Pay careful attention to . . . all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God” (Acts 20:28).
How? By being with them. “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you” (1 Pet. 5:2). Ask about their love for Christ, their time with God, their fellowship in the church, and their family worship in their homes. Share meals, prayers, songs, and encouragements. Keep track of their needs and pray regularly for them. Take time to talk, and be intentional about digging deeper into how they’re really doing. Are they beginning to doubt, walking in sin, or growing in grace?
As you get to know them, feed them and address their souls with the heavenly remedy that is the word of God (Heb. 13:7; John 21:17; 2 Tim. 4:2) and warn them of the coming dangers (2 Tim. 2:14–19).
Since soul-watching is a team effort, clearly defining the expectations of each leader and the role they play is helpful—and can be crucial. We might add to this the need to clarify timelines, strengths, and weaknesses. Each leader has their own emphasis and instincts because God equips leaders to be more effective in specific areas (1 Cor. 12:4–11; Eph. 4:11).
Some orient toward numbers and administrative tasks. Others focus on public preaching, while some prefer parlor preaching. Some prefer using a telescope to watch for wolves from afar, while others may prefer using a microscope to search for viruses among the flock.
Pastors, take a moment to consider: Do I fully understand the expectations placed upon me and my colleagues, as well as the duration of those expectations? Do I know how each of us is wired? It’s better to err on the side of overcommunication than undercommunication. Why? That leads to my next and final point.
3. Remember the Great Shepherd
“[They] will have to give an account.” Pastors will have to give an account for each of those who have been entrusted to them (Jas. 3:1).
Pastors, remember the great Shepherd who is Jesus Christ (Heb. 13:20–21). Serve in the strength he provides (1 Pet. 4:11). By God’s grace, some of us will be greeted with the sweet words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. . . . Enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21, 23).
Tuezong Xiong is the Associate Pastor at Christ Bible Church in Roseville, Minnesota. He received his M.Div. from Bethlehem College and Seminary and writes regularly at tuezongxiong.wordpress.com. He, along with his wife, Pa Kou, resides in Circle Pines with their two sons.
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