What do pastors do?

“What exactly does a pastor do?”—Linda

The old joke goes, “The pastor has it easy—he works only one hour a week!”

If the pastor follows the biblical descriptions, he has plenty to do in that hour! Much of what we understand of the role comes from Paul’s writings to the young pastor Timothy as well as some examples from the ministry of Paul himself and the other apostles.

Among these responsibilities are teaching (I Tim. 1:3; 2:7; 4:13), praying (I Tim. 2:1-8; Acts 6:4; Eph. 6:18-20), reminding (exhorting, preaching, correcting, etc., II Tim. 2:25; 4:2; Titus 2:15), evangelizing (II Tim. 4:5), and encouraging (this was at the core of Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts).

The role of the modern pastor, pivoting around these tasks, might also include daily study, planning and leading in worship services, visiting (homes and hospitals), making phone calls and writing notes, carrying out administrative duties (meeting routinely with various leadership groups in the congregation, working with budgets, coordinating with other church staff, participating in numerous organizing and planning sessions), doing various mission activities (both local and long distance), spending time with a wide range of age groups (including senior adults, youth and children), writing and editing articles, newsletters and weekly bulletins, officiating at weddings, baptisms and baby dedications, conducting funerals, devoting many hours to pastoral counseling (responding to the emotional and spiritual needs of people through the use of Scripture and prayer), and being involved in various ways in the local community.