The Role of Pastors in Discipleship

What is the role of pastors in making disciples, according to the teachings of the Bible? As Chris Law discusses in his sermon on Ephesians 4, pastors, elders, and overseers are all synonymous in their roles as shepherds within the church. Their primary task is equipping the saints, the body of the church, through prayer and the word. The Sunday service is a key tool in this process, with the main focus being the glorification of God and the building up of the body. While evangelistic work does take place during these services, it is the strengthening of the body that is the core purpose. After being equipped with sound doctrine, the church body is sent out to spread the message both in word and deed. The home serves as a crucial place for evangelism, a starting point from which the word radiates out into the wider community. This model of evangelism and disciple making decentralises the process, relying not on a single person and pulpit but on the Spirit of God working through all the saints. It allows for greater expansion, with each family uniquely placed by God to influence their given area. Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV): 'And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.'