Pastoring With Design, Care, and Diligence

We have been discussing the idea of shepherding in the church, and one of the main verses that speaks to this reality is found in Hebrews 13:17, which states, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” Pastors are called to watch over the souls of their people, knowing they will give an account to God of the way in which they did so. This shepherding ministry is here connected to the submission of the church to pastoral leadership. However, as we think about how we are to function as pastors and congregants, there are limitations to this authority.

Matt Perman recently cited a text from John Owen on this matter. Owen deftly steers a clear path for both churches and pastors to see the lines of demarcation in relation to the authority one has over the lives of congregants. This is a good word to recall in the midst of this series. We are called as pastors to shepherd and teach authoritatively, but never in a way that detracts from the authority of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. May we read this excerpt with care and seek to function properly under the rubric of Hebrews 13:17 within our churches.

There are two parts of the duty enjoined with respect unto these guides, and that with distinct respect unto the two parts of their office before mentioned, namely, of teaching and ruling.

[1.] It is with respect unto their teaching, preaching, or pastoral feeding, that they are commanded to “obey them.” For the word signifies an obedience on a persuasion; such as doctrine, instruction, or teaching, doth produce. And, —

[2.] The submission required, “Submit yourselves,” respects their rule. “Obey their doctrine, and submit to their rule.” And some things must be observed, to clear the intention of the apostle herein.

1st. It is not a blind, implicit obedience and subjection, that is here prescribed. A presence hereof hath been abused to the ruin of the souls of men: but there is nothing more contrary to the whole nature of gospel obedience, which is our “reasonable service;” and in particular, it is that which would frustrate all the rules and directions given unto believers in this epistle itself, as well as elsewhere, about all the duties that are required of them. For to what purpose are they used, if no more be required but that men give up themselves, by an implicit credulity, to obey the dictates of others?

2ndly. It hath respect unto them in their office only. If those who suppose themselves in office do teach and enjoin things that belong not unto their office, there is no obedience due unto them by virtue of this command. So it is with the guides of the church of Rome, who, under a presence of their office, give commands in secular things, no way belonging unto the ministry of the gospel.

3rdly. It is their duty so to obey whilst they teach the things which the Lord Christ hath appointed them to teach; for unto them is their commission limited, Matthew 28:20: and to submit unto their rule whilst it is exercised in the name of Christ, according to his institution, and by the rule of the word, and not otherwise. When they depart from these, there is neither obedience nor submission due unto them. …

[The office of pastor is to be discharged with] design, care, and diligence….Where this is not the design of church rulers, where it is not their work and employment, where they do not evidence it so to be, they can claim no obedience from the church, by virtue of this rule….

An assumption of right and power by any to rule over the church, without evidencing their design and work to be a watching for the good of their souls, is pernicious unto themselves, and ruinous unto the church itself.

Jeremy Kimble (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Cedarville University. He is an editor for Credo Magazine as well as the author of That His Spirit May Be Saved: Church Discipline as a Means to Repentance and Perseverance and numerous book reviews. He is married to Rachel and has two children, Hannah and Jonathan.