Where in the Bible can I find scriptures on a pastor's responsibilities to his congregation?

Here are the passages in the New Testament where the Greek word (noun) for pastor is found:

• Matt. 9:36; 25:32; 26:31;
• Mk. 6:34; 14:27;
• Lk. 2:8, 15, 18, 20;
• Jn. 10:2, 11f, 14, 16;
• Eph. 4:11;
• Heb. 13:20;
• 1 Pet. 2:25

Here is the verb form of the word for "to shepherd"

• Matt. 2:6;
• Lk. 17:7;
• Jn. 21:16;
• Acts 20:28;
• 1 Co. 9:7;
• 1 Pet. 5:2;
• Jude 1:12;
• Rev. 2:27; 7:17; 12:5; 19:15

I would understand the Scriptures to teach that there is a gift of pastor-teacher, but that this is not an office. The two leadership offices in the New Testament are those of elders and deacons (see, for example, 1 Timothy 3). It is the elders of the congregation who are to "shepherd the flock of God" (1 Peter 5:1-2).

The Old Testament had strong words of condemnation for those who were false shepherds (including the promise of God coming as the Good Shepherd):

• Jeremiah 10:21; 12:10; 23:1-6; 31:10
• Ezekiel 34

Our Lord had strong words to say about the Jewish religious leaders (the Pharisees and particular), for their wrong leadership style -- see Matthew chapter 23.

Jesus comes as the Good Shepherd -- John 10

Paul describes the kind of leadership he has shown:

• Acts 20:17-25
• 1 Thessalonians 2:3-12

And he (Paul) contrasts his leadership with the "false apostles" -- 2 Corinthians 11 (notice, not just here, but elsewhere, his gentleness, their severity; his humility, their arrogance; his suffering, their self-indulgence)

In 1 Timothy 3 and Titus chapter 1 Paul gives the qualifications for the office of elder (and deacon in 1 Timothy 3).

Peter also has something to say about leadership, both good (1 Peter 5:1-5) and bad (2 Peter 2 & 3).

You should also take a look at these passages:

• John 21:15-19
• 1 & 2 Timothy
• Ephesians 4:7-13
• Philippians 2 (notice first the example of our Lord, then of Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus), and chapter 3
• 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 8:13--9:23
• 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:1-2
• 1 Timothy 5:17-18

There are also texts which address our submission to elders and our support of their ministry, which we dare not ignore:

• Galatians 6:6
• 1 Timothy 5:17-18
• Hebrews 13:17

Also Paul gives instructions about the correction of elders in 1 Timothy 5:19-20

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