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 following thoughts by Owen concludes this Top Ten List by the Puritan theologian and pastor.
Seventh, a pastor must have a compassionate suffering with all the members of the church in all their trials and troubles, whether internal or external, belongs to them in the discharge of their office; nothing renders them more like Jesus Christ, whom it is their principal duty to represent to the church.
The view and consideration, by faith, of the glory of Christ in his compassion with his suffering members, is the principal spring of consolation to the church in all its distresses. And the same spirit, the same mind in this, according to their measure, ought to be in all who have the pastoral office committed to them. So, the apostle expresses it in himself, “Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I do not burn?” (2Cor 11:29).
Unless this compassion and goodness runs through the discharge of their whole office, men cannot be said to be evangelical shepherds; nor can the sheep be said in any sense to be their own. There are those who perhaps pretend to the pastoral office, to live in wealth and pleasure, regardless of the sufferings and temptations of their flock, or of the poor of it, or who are related to churches in which it is impossible for them to even be acquainted with the state of the greatest part of them; this does not correspond to the institution of their office, nor to Christ’s design in it.
Eighth, the pastor must take care of the poor and visitation of the sick. These are parts of this duty, commonly known, though commonly neglected.
Ninth, principal care of the rule of the church is incumbent on its pastors. This is the second general head of the power and duty of this office, to which many things in particular belong. But because I will treat the rule of the church by itself distinctly later, I will not insist upon it here.
Tenth, there is a communion to be observed among all the churches of the same faith and profession in any nation. What it consists in, and what is required for it, will be declared afterward. The principal care of this communion, for the edification of the churches, is incumbent on their pastors. Whether it is exercised by letters of mutual advice, of congratulation or consolation, or in testimony of communion with those called to office in those churches, or whether it is by convening in synods for consultation of their joint concerns (which things made up a great part of the primitive ecclesiastical polity), it is their duty to attend to it and to take care of 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!
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