PSD Call Manual
THE PASTORAL CALL AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PASTOR AND PEOPLE – A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
Section 2
God calls His people through His Word to fellowship with Him and to serve in the world with the good news of the Gospel and the good life of Christian love.
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life -- the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us -- that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3)
God's people in a specific place, after sincere consideration and prayer, call a pastor from the larger Christian family to inspire and equip them for their ministry. The pastor's focus of service is the faithful proclamation of the Gospel and administration of the Sacraments, loving acts of pastoral care, an exemplary Christian life and concentrated efforts for the growth of the church.
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lusius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3)
His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ... (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word". (Acts 6:1-4)
...appoint elders in every town, as I directed you, choose a man who is blameless, the husband of one wife, whose children are believers and not open to the charge of being profligate and insubordinate. For a bishop, as God's steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of goodness, master of himself, upright, holy, and self-controlled; he must hold firm to the sure word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to confute those who contradict it. (Titus 1:5b-9)
His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ... (Ephesians 4:11-12)
The pastor, professionally competent and, above all, a man of faith, recognizes his Call by the congregation to be a Call from God and conducts his ministry with care, humility, and dedication.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy scriptures, the Gospel concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name among all the nations, including yourself who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:1-6)
Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which He obtained with the blood of His own Son. (Acts 20:28)
...even as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
(Matthew 20:28)
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested, you will obtain the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
Members of the congregation hold their pastor in high regard as God's servant, a gift of divine grace. They offer him and his family the best of their love, prayers and support.
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)
In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
(1 Corinthians 9:14)
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; for the scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages".
(1 Timothy 5:17-18)
Pastor and people consider each other as joyful partners in the Gospel, each making contribution to God's work according to their calling and ability and measure of faith.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:1-5)
Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches. (Galatians 6:6)