The following excerpted essay was written by English Puritan theologian John Owen (1616-1683). It is entitled The Special Duty of Pastor of Churches. The concerns and challenges he observed in the 17th century apply to pastors of churches in the 21st century.
The third task of the pastor is the administration of the seals of the covenant committed to them as stewards of the house of Christ; for the authoritative dispensation of the word, to which the administration of the seals is annexed. Their principal end is the special confirmation and application of the preached word. And in this there are three things that they are to attend to:
- The times and seasons of their administration for the church’s edification, especially that of the Lord’s Supper whose frequency is enjoined. It is the duty of pastors to consider all the necessary circumstances of their administration as to time, place, frequency, order, and decency.
- To keep severely to Christ’s institution, as to the way and manner of their administration. The gradual introduction of un-instituted rites and ceremonies into the church celebration of the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper ended at length in the idolatry of the mass. In this then, alone, and not in bowing, cringing, and vestments, lies the glory and beauty of these administrations: namely, that they are compliant with and expressive of the institution of Christ, nor is anything done in them except in express obedience to his authority. “I have received from the Lord what I also delivered to you,” says the apostle in this case (1Cor 11:23).
- To take care that these holy things are administered only to those who are fit and worthy, according to the rule of the gospel. Those who impose on pastors the promiscuous administration of these divine ordinances, or the application of the seals to all without difference, deprive them of one-half of their ministerial office and duty.
These duties of the pastor include…
- The preaching of the word: its first object is the world, for conversion; its next object is those who profess Christ, for their edification.
- Baptism: its object is neither the world nor the members of a particular church, but only those who profess Christ, along with those who are reckoned to them by God’s appointment – that is, their infant seed.
- The supper: its object is a particular church only, which is acknowledged, and it may be approved by the institution, one special end of it; the necessity of discipline depends on it.
Pray for your pastor to be such a man of God and to faithfully continue in the work which God has called Him. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 