What Are the Top 5 Tasks of a Pastor?

This is an interesting question in today's society, for most people have an opinion about the most important tasks of a pastor. Based on the Scriptures, these are the five most important tasks of a pastor: 1) preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-2); 2) study to ensure he rightly handles the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15); 3) pray continually (Acts 6:2,4); 4) lead his congregation as a godly example (1 Peter 5:2-3); and 5) serve his congregation by exhorting them in time of need and through discipleship (Acts 6:1-6 - Deacons were chosen because the apostles did not want to neglect the Word or prayer; so, as long as a pastor does not neglect the Word of prayer, he still needs to serve his flock for God's glory).

I imagine some may put leadership in here. I just think leadership beyond leading the congregation in the Scriptures and by example, is a ridiculous requirement for pastors. I also think the emphasis on vision is a ridiculous requirement. This goes beyond the Scriptures. Much of what Maxwell and others like him argue seems to be argued based on various proof texts while ignoring the clear examples in Scripture that contradict their emphases. For example, if what Maxwell says is examined based on a consistent examination of the Scriptures as a whole, then Jesus was a terrible leader, for when He went to the cross, His disciples abandoned Him. After all, "if you're leading, and no one is following, you're just taking a walk"; or, "in order to be a leader, you must have followers." In that moment, Jesus did not have any followers, so by definition, He must have been a bad leader in that moment. Furthermore, throughout the New Testament the Apostle Paul argues in favor of his apostolic authority. The fact he had to argue this simply means he was a bad leader. This also means Jon Huss was a terrible leader, for he went to the stake virtually alone.

Also, this emphasis on pastors receiving a "word from God" beyond the Bible calls into question the sufficiency of Scripture. It seems that the pastor must receive some extra-biblical revelation in order to faithfully lead the church, though God has clearly revealed his task in His Word. Unfortunately, the Word seems to be not enough anymore in many cases.

These are some issues I've wrestled with over the past ten years in ministry. I'm 28, and I've found all these extra-biblical requirements to be exhausting and lacking. With such an emphasis on the extra-biblical, we've lead thousands of Christians to sit around until God audibly tells them to move, for they willfully ignore the clear, written Word. I tell my congregation that if they want to hear the audible voice of God, they simply need to read the Scriptures out loud. God's Word is sufficient for our task.