Yes, I think you can say that Jesus was pastor. I see the function of pastor kind of like what Jesus called the Good Shepherd. I think a pastor responds to and cares for the flock (congregation, disciples, those brought to her/him). I think Jesus gave pastoral care when he visited with folks and even when he taught. Teaching was not only for information, but for spiritual formation, which is helping someone to grow, which is pastoral...or so I think.
This is something I've been wrestling with lately, primarily because of DCOM and the end of supervised ministry. We are all called to be disciples of Jesus, but as pastors, what does that mean?
Certainly Jesus was a pastor in the sense that Greg mentioned above. But Jesus also challenged the social structures of his time, broke down cultural barriers, mentored people...things that we don't often associate as very "pastoral" duties (although there are pastors who take these things seriously).
And then, pastors today also do things that Jesus never did - like priestly functions, or run administrative council meetings.
3 comments:
Yes, I think you can say that Jesus was pastor. I see the function of pastor kind of like what Jesus called the Good Shepherd. I think a pastor responds to and cares for the flock (congregation, disciples, those brought to her/him). I think Jesus gave pastoral care when he visited with folks and even when he taught. Teaching was not only for information, but for spiritual formation, which is helping someone to grow, which is pastoral...or so I think.
This is something I've been wrestling with lately, primarily because of DCOM and the end of supervised ministry. We are all called to be disciples of Jesus, but as pastors, what does that mean?
Certainly Jesus was a pastor in the sense that Greg mentioned above. But Jesus also challenged the social structures of his time, broke down cultural barriers, mentored people...things that we don't often associate as very "pastoral" duties (although there are pastors who take these things seriously).
And then, pastors today also do things that Jesus never did - like priestly functions, or run administrative council meetings.
So...I don't know. :-) Yes and No.
I think pastors need to be more like Jesus especially in the ways Melissa mentioned!
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