Role of Pastors in Theological Education and Training
Pastors play a crucial role in theological education and training within the Christian tradition, often being identified by various titles that highlight their teaching and leadership functions. The Apostle Paul, for instance, described himself as "ordained a preacher and an apostle, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity" [1, 3]. This self-description underscores the teaching aspect inherent in his ministry.
Biblical texts use several terms to describe those who lead and instruct the church. These include "bishops," "elders," "evangelists," and "teachers" [2]. The term "pastor" itself means "shepherd," indicating a role of caring for God's people [13]. The office of elder, for example, is not defined by age but by the function of governing and proclaiming God's word [8]. These roles often overlap, with "pastors and teachers" sometimes referring to distinct ministries, or to a single ministry with dual functions [13].
The responsibility of teaching is significant, as becoming a teacher was a way to gain social status in the early church, though it also carried the weight of accountability for one's words [9]. Jesus himself is presented as the ultimate teacher of God's will [12]. John Calvin emphasized that Scripture is the "fountain of all wisdom" from which pastors must draw to instruct their congregations [10]. He also noted the difficulty and gravity of church governance, suggesting that those who undertake it should rely on God's assistance rather than their own abilities [6].
The relationship between a pastor and those they teach can be likened to that of a father to his children, rather than merely an instructor or "schoolmaster" [5, 7]. While there may be many instructors, the spiritual fatherhood implies a deeper, more formative relationship [7, 11]. The law, for example, was considered a "pedagogue" or supervisor, stern in its discipline, preparing people for faith in Christ, but its role ceased once faith arrived [4]. This distinction highlights the difference between mere instruction and the nurturing, guiding role of a spiritual leader.
Sources
- I Timothy “I Timothy 2:7 (Webster) — For which I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, [and] lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Titles and Names of Ministers — Ambassadors for Christ -- 2Co 5:20. Angels of the Church -- Re 1:20; 2:1. Apostles -- Lu 6:13; Eph 4:11; Re 18:20. Apostles of Jesus Christ -- Tit 1:1. Bishops -- Php 1:1; 1Ti 3:1; Tit 1:7. Deacons -- Ac 6:1; 1Ti 3:8; Php 1:1. Elders -- 1Ti 5:17; 1Pe 5:1. Evangelists -- Eph 4:11; 2Ti 4:5. Fishers of men -- Mt 4:19; Mr 1:17. Labourers -- Mt 9:38; Phm 1:1; 1Th 2:2. Messengers of the church -- 2Co 8:2,3. Messengers of the Lord of hosts -- Mal 2:7. Ministers of God -- 2Co 6:4. Ministers of the Lord -- Joe 1:17. Ministers of Christ -- Ro 15”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 2:7 — Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Schoolmaster — The law so designated by Paul (Gal. 3:24, 25). As so used, the word does not mean teacher, but pedagogue (shortened into the modern page), i.e., one who was intrusted with the supervision of a family, taking them to and from the school, being responsible for their safety and manners. Hence the pedagogue was stern and severe in his discipline. Thus the law was a pedagogue to the Jews, with a view to Christ, i.e., to prepare for faith in Christ by producing convictions of guilt and helplessness. The office of the pedagogue ceased when "faith came", i.e.,”
- 1 Corinthians “For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News. -- 1 Corinthians 4:15”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 13.4: government of the Church is a matter of so great difficulty, that it ought rather to strike terror into the minds of persons of sound judgment than to excite them to desire it. I reply, that the desire of great men does not rest on confidence of their own industry or virtue, but on the assistance of “God, from whom is our sufficiency,” as Paul says elsewhere. ( 2 Corinthians 3:5 .) At the same time, it is necessary to observe what it is that Paul calls “the office of a bishop;” and so much the more, because the ancients were led”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 4:15: For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ,.... Or "schoolmasters"; by whom he means the false teachers, whom, for argument sake, he admits to be instructors in Christ, or ministers of his, as in Co2 11:23 and who were many, and of whose number the Corinthians boasted; though they were not so numerous as here supposed; for the expression is hyperbolical: perhaps some reference may be had to the multitude of schoolmasters, tutors, and governors, and who also were called "fathers", which those that were Jews of this church at Corinth had before they be”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 13.15: called Pastors. And next, the word Pastor means Elder not by age, but by of office: as, at all times, they who govern have been called Elders, even among heathen nations. Now the Holy Spirit has retained this metaphor, giving the name Elder to those who are chosen to proclaim the word of God. He likewise calls them Bishops, that is persons who watch over the flock to show that it is not a rank unaccompanied by active exertion, when a man is called to that office, and that he must not make an idol of it, but must know that he is”
- James (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on James 3:1: 3:1 Becoming teachers was one way to improve social status in the early church (1 Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11; 1 Tim 5:17; cp. Acts 5:34). Such honor would compensate for the shame imposed upon Christians as social outsiders (Jas 2:6-7). But the conspicuous role of teachers symbolizes the power of human speech to benefit or harm the church.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, section 18.4: the Scripture is the fountain of all wisdom, from which pastors must draw all that they place before their flock. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee The Apostle exhorts Timothy to employ, for the edification of the Church, that grace with which he was endued. God does not wish that talents — which he has bestowed on any one, that they may bring gain — should either be lost, or be hidden in the earth without advantage. ( Matthew 25:18, 25 .) To neglect a gift is carelessly to keep it unemployed through slothfulness, so that,”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 4:15: ten thousand--implying that the Corinthians had more of them than was desirable. instructors--tutors who had the care of rearing, but had not the rights, or peculiar affection, of the father, who alone had begotten them spiritually. in Christ--Paul admits that these "instructors" were not mere legalists, but evangelical teachers. He uses, however, a stronger phrase of himself in begetting them spiritually, "In Christ Jesus," implying both the Saviour's office and person. As Paul was the means of spiritually regenerating them, and yet "baptiz”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 23:10: 23:10 Teacher: This title denotes the function and office of leading others into knowledge about God. Jesus, not the scribes and Pharisees, is the teacher of God’s will (5:17).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:11: 4:11 In his letters, Paul has four different lists of God’s gifts (see also Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:8-10, 28), none of which is comprehensive. Here the focus is on the gifts of leadership most needed for the growth of the church. • Apostles are divinely commissioned missionary evangelists. • Prophets speak messages from God for his people. • Evangelists proclaim the Good News. • Pastors (literally shepherds) care for God’s people (see 1 Tim 3:1-7). • Teachers expound Scripture and God’s truths to the church. • Pastors and teachers might refer to separate ministrie”