Responsibilities of a Pastor - Part 2 -Spritual Vitality

The second most important duty of a pastor is to maintain spiritual vitality. A man cannot do this of his own will, which is why reliance upon God through prayer is of first importance. However, we can make use of the God-given means by which we are made new. If a man is to lead others into a greater degree of intimacy with the Lord Jesus, then he must first have this spiritual vitality that he looks to bring others into. We cannot expect a man who is not walking joyfully alongside his God to be used to impart life to people. Of course, the Lord can use whatever means he pleases, but it is not how he typically works, nor is it how he instructs us to be faithful and prepared. For example, remember the warning for husbands in 1 Peter 3:7 where God tells husbands their prayers will be hindered?

So, elders should be constantly putting God's "means of grace" in their way. (Another post will address "means of grace" more thoroughly.) If God has provided things to help us grow, then bishops should be throwing these things unavoidably in their path. They should be going to Scripture to be influenced and changed by God's thoughts. They should be men of prayer who depend on God to change hearts including their own. They should be men of fellowship who look to others for counsel and advice. They should look forward to reminders of their faith, like when others are baptized, taking communion, or hearing testimonies. Since pastors are responsible for the shepherding of people unto spiritual vitality it requires the man, himself place his own life in Christ as a very high priority. This is to say nothing of the temptations with which pastors are constantly and consistently bombarded. In such cases, a good offense is often the best defense and a man best thicken his skin and steady himself for the sure and coming battles that lie ahead. The best way to prepare oneself for the temptations of Potiphar's wife (Gen. 39) and the accusations of the superapostles (2 Cor. 2:12) is to be valuing God more and more.

It seems odd that I have listed the two most important responsibilities of a pastor, but I haven't yet even talked about any personal contact with other people (aside from the need for fellowship). However, I believe that this testifies to the importance of the position because it takes such great preparation before one even interacts with others.