What Pastors and Hearers Owe to each other

What Pastors and Hearers Owe to each other March 12, 2009

The Table of Duties in Luther’s Small Catechism first attends to the vocations in the Church:

For Bishops, Pastors, and Preachers.

A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; not a novice; holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 1 Tim. 3:2ff ; Titus 1:6.

What the Hearers Owe to Their Pastors.

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. 1 Cor. 9:14. Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Gal. 6:6. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the Word and doctrine. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn; and the laborer is worthy of his reward. 1 Tim. 5:17-18. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. Heb. 13:17.]

The dyad of relationships in this calling is between Pastors and “hearers.” What a remarkable way to think of the members of the congregation. We are “hearers.” That is, we are those who hear God’s Word.

Pastors love and serve their hearers by preaching and “holding fast the faithful Word.” Hearers love and serve their pastors by submitting to their pastor’s faithful teaching and by supporting him financially and by giving him honor.

Conflict between pastors and their people is tragic and all too common. The spirit of love and service on both sides would solve a lot of those problems.

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