Pastor: (n) [pas-ter]

The top three online dictionaries’ definitions of “pastor” say something like this: A minister or priest who is in charge of a church or congregation. It appears to me as though dictionaries have really no idea what it means to be a pastor. Now, the second definition from these websites is perhaps a more accurate definition: A person having spiritual care of a number of persons. And finally, only one online dictionary has an accurate and helpful third definition: A shepherd.

Yes, a pastor is a minister or a priest. However, no pastor is in charge of a church or congregation; God is always in charge. Second of all, yes, a pastor is a person who has spiritual care of a number of persons. This definition is much more helpful than the first.  But I believe that the best definition of pastor is perhaps the most overlooked one: Shepherd. Why is “shepherd” the best of these definitions for a pastor? In John 10, Jesus refers to himself as “the Good Shepherd” and the Pharisees as evil shepherds and thieves. In the Old Testament, both David and Moses are referred to as shepherds of God’s people. Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel show how God will condemn false shepherds and appoint faithful shepherds to lead his flock and his people.

What we learn from Old Testament history and basic shepherding knowledge can give us some very meaningful insight into what it means to be a pastor. Every shepherd has a distinct call or whistle that his sheep know and recognize so that they will follow him. In addition to this call, shepherds also know their own sheep. Many shepherds give their sheep names and those who don’t will remember their sheep by their distinctive features. Sheep do not follow the voice of a stranger not only because they don’t recognize the voice, but because that means the shepherd does not know his sheep. A shepherd who knows his sheep guides them with his distinctive call. The shepherd is responsible for guiding his flock to places that can meet their unique personal needs. If the flock needs water, he finds a way for them to get water. If they need food, he does the same. He protects them from any harm or danger that may be stalking or hunting them. A shepherd knows his sheep and is willing to do almost anything to keep them safe.

Lets go through that again, this time replacing shepherd with pastor. Every pastor has a distinct way of relating to the people that he serves and his people are familiar with this, which is part of why they have chosen to follow him. In addition to this call, pastors know the people whom they serve. They know their names. They know who they are. They know their distinctive features that separate them from everyone else. They know their strengths and weaknesses. Pastors lead people who know them and recognize them for who they are. A pastor is responsible for guiding the people he serves to places that can meet their unique personal needs. If they need financial help, he guides them. If they need counseling, he guides them. If they need to be taken to new levels of spiritual growth, he guides them. A pastor protects his people from harm. He knows what is hunting them and is humbly willing to do almost anything to keep them safe.

Online dictionaries have very little idea about what it means to be a pastor. Don’t listen to them. God is the head of the church. Pastors are merely shepherds that God has placed in positions of leadership in order to watch over, care for, know, and guide his people closer to Himself.