Statement #8: Biblical Pastoral Care
- thereformingtravel3
- Jul 11
- 4 min read
“I will submit to the church leadership as men who will give an account. I also submit to the church’s care and lovingly assume my responsibility to participate in the care of other members, as taught in scripture, if the need should ever arise.” (Colossians 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 13:7)
Unpopular Alert! - These days any mention of words like “submit” and “discipline” are not in high regard in our culture or even in the church. Especially as it relates to elders/pastors or anyone in authority. And truthfully, I can understand the struggle and hesitation in a day where we continually see so many leaders falling in disgrace and failing to live lives “above reproach”.
And yet, regardless of the world around us, God has never biblically given any of us a plan B outside the instruction/imperative of submitting to the leadership of the local church (i.e. your pastors) as well as the church as a whole (each other).
Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
1 Peter 5: 1-3 – “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 going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”
While there is no perfect pastor(s), one should ask questions of those who lead – Do they seek the glory of Christ over their own glory? Are they men committed to the teaching of scripture? Whether you agree or not at times with your leaders, do you believe them to be men whose hearts beat for the good of others (spiritual growth and witness) as their motive? Do they teach and preach truth boldly even without apology, yet with gentleness and in humility? Are they men who exude great dependence on God for biblical success? Are they men in whom it is difficult to offend? For such men (among other qualities – Timothy 3:1-7) are men worthy of leadership in the church.
The great reality at RRBC is that we practice the biblical imperative of a plurality of elders/pastors in the church (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:22). In this, deeper accountability is given to each pastor, clearer wisdom/counsel is given in decision making, pride and arrogance is held in check, and trust is further promoted for the church as a whole.
However, ultimately the leadership of the church should merely model what the goal of the entire church should be, namely the “stirring” of each other up to greater love and to good deeds for God’s glory, the joy of the church, and the good of a lost and dying world. When anyone becomes a covenant member of RRBC, we are asking them to be wholly committed to seeing each other committed to spiritual growth, maturity, and witness. This commitment to the “one anothers” of scripture should be experienced and applied from elders down to the congregation and from the congregation up to their leaders (it goes both ways). It is for all of us as sinners saved by grace!
However, may such relationships and even discipline be done always in humility, love, and care for God’s glory and each other’s spiritual walk/witness.
Matthew 18:15-17 – If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
As for elder/pastors, they are to be peacemakers, prayer warriors, teachers, leaders by example, and decision makers. They are the preaching and teaching leaders of the church. It is a position to be sought but not taken lightly—read this warning: "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness" (James 3:1). The role of elder is not a position to be taken lightly and comes with a hefty responsibility and weight.
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