Pastor

The word “pastor” comes from the Latin word for “shepherd.” Shepherding is a predominant picture in the Bible for both the work of Christ and the work of our pastors (cf. Ps. 23; Ezek. 34; Eph. 4:11; 1 Peter 5:2-3). The Scriptures indicate that the Holy Spirit appoints men to shepherd God’s people (Acts 20:28).

Pastors are also referred to frequently in the Bible as “ministers,” a word that literally means “slave” (Acts 26:16; Rom. 15:16; Eph. 3:7; 1 Tim. 4:6). In 2 Cor. 4:5 Paul describes pastors this way: “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your slaves, for Jesus’ sake.” Pastors model their ministry on the life and work of the Lord Jesus Christ who did not come to be served, but to serve. The pastoral office is an office of loving, caring service to the people of God, in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Oversight” is another less frequently used term that describes the pastor’s work. Pastoral oversight is the spiritual duty of rebuking and warning Christ’s people when they fall into sin, feeding and caring for them with the Gospel, and guarding and defending them from false teachers and their false teachings. Pastoral oversight is not to be confused with institutional management or leadership, like a CEO type of position.

Our Lutheran Confessions refer to the pastoral office as the “Preaching Office” to which men are called and ordained. We also speak of the office of the holy ministry. The ministry is holy not because of the men who are in it, but because of the One who established it. It is holy because of what the Lord is doing for His people through the work of His pastors.

We are blessed at St. Johns with the services of :

Reverend Doctor Henry “Hank” Malone, Pastor

and 

Reverend Paul Ruot Chuol, Associate Pastor