Advertisement
Most popular Training Topics Join Now

The Pastor's Most Essential Role

The duties of a pastor are dizzying in their variety. A pastor is expected to be a preacher, teacher, theologian, counselor, and leader. Pastors marry and bury and visit congregants. In a smaller church, their roles may expand to include accountant, custodian, and chair stacker. They do whatever needs to be done.

Those roles are all real and important, but as Wesley Hill reminds us, there is one role that ministry is ultimately about: being a “news agent for God.” He writes:

“In pastoral care, in particular, we do well to remember that we do not need to be experts in a million different fields to be faithful to our calling. We do not need to know how to handle every difficulty, hurt, or need presented to us. But we need to be faithful in this: proclaiming the news that Christ is risen.”

Read more: Pastor, You Have One Job.

Also, check out Developing Your Preaching and Teaching Style. This resource will help you hone your craft and become a more effective news agent for God.

Become a CT Monthly Partner
For $20 a month, you can help Christianity Today reach 8,640 people with the most powerful stories and ideas that inspire the Church and the world. Join this ministry today.
Featured
Pastor, You Have One Job
Ministry is, first and foremost, about being a caretaker of a message.
Wesley Hill
Developing Your Preaching and Teaching Style
This resource has articles that offer insights and practices to help you find and develop the unique voice God has given you so you can use your gifts to their fullest potential.
Craig Brian Larson, Nancy Ortberg, Bryan Loritts, and more
Church Job Descriptions
Make sure people know what they're expected to do in their roles.
Bryan Carraway
Advertisement
Women's Ministry
Women Leaders in the Bible
A closer look at the women in Scripture and how they lead.
Liz Curtis Higgs, Carolyn Custis James, JoHannah Reardon, and more
Affirming the Strength in Women
Help the women in your church discover how strong they really are.
JoHannah Reardon, Marian V. Liautaud, Sharon Hodde Miller, and more
Leading a Women's Ministry Team
This download gives practical advice and perspective for you as you run your women's ministry.
Natasha Benevides, Jenni Catron, Esther Feng, and more
More from CT Pastors
What Pastoring Seniors Teaches Me About the Resurrection
Discipleship
In 14 years, I’ve presided over more than 100 funerals. Easter gives me hope.
Evan Welcher
How Social Distancing Is Bringing Pastors Closer to Their Congregants
In both innovative and old-school ways, ministers are overcoming pandemic hurdles to provide pastoral care.
Lanie Anderson
Will Easter Resurrect Pandemic Church Attendance? Depends on Your Tradition.
More than half of evangelicals will be back in person, but most Catholics and black and mainline Protestants are still waiting to return.
Kate Shellnutt
Advertisement
Related Newsletters
Each weekly CT Pastors issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry.
Regular access to innovative training resources, Bible-based curriculum, and practical articles.
Enjoy some laughs with this weekly newsletter! You'll receive hilarious videos, cartoons, and more—the internet's best humor about church life.