A pastor spends a good amount of time to read, study, and reread the Scriptures and books. The Holy Spirit works through means. Pastoral study is such a means. A pastor is called to teach. My understanding of the pastoral office has to do with teaching. Teaching is not the only role that defines a pastor. But, being a pastor must teach. Otherwise, a pastor ceases to be pastor. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11). It is not coincident that Paul put one definite article in front of “pastors and teachers.” Teaching pastors are what Paul had in mind. If a pastor does not spend enough time to read, study, and meditate in solitude, how can he teach? The teaching ability of a pastor is crucial for the spiritual growth of a congregation.
Many
times, a pastor cannot teach not because he has no ability to do so, but
because he is lazy. A pastor can do many things in the church. But if he fails
to nurture themselves with the Word, the trinitarian life, and theology, he
fails to nurture the congregation with the Word, the trinitarian life, and theology.
In most cases, many pastors are damn lazy in this sense. They are active in
running errands in the church, but they are just lazy in the pursuit of the
knowledge of God through the Word that deeply forms their pastoral spirituality
as shepherds among His sheep. In commenting on the necessity of pastoral study in
ministry, Derek Prime and Alistair Begg note:
The Church is in urgent need of
shepherds and teachers who will study. The pressures and pace of contemporary
life make that an increasingly difficult goal to achieve. Christ’s flock on
earth depends upon its undershepherds to lead it into the fresh pastures of
God’s Word. Undershepherds maintain an effective ministry as they extend their
own understanding of God’s Word. If we are constantly pouring out without
pouring in, we will soon cease to pour out anything that is of value to others.[1]
[1]
On Being a Pastor: Understanding our
Calling and Work, revised and expanded ed. (Chicago: Moody, 2004), 102-103.
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