FEEDING THE SHEEP
In His final instructions to Peter, Jesus told him to feed His sheep, John 21:15-17 "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." Peter took this command seriously, and instructed others to do likewise, 1 Peter 5:2: "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind." The office of pastor is not confused with the ancient office of apostle, but their work and ministry are very similar. Paul tells the pastor this in Acts 20:28: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
Preaching was central in the ministry of Jesus. Most of His earthly ministry was proclaiming God's message to humanity. Modern educators teach that Jesus did more teaching than preaching. The Greek stresses He was preaching, using the word kerusso, (to herald especially divine truth: preach or proclaim). A few times it uses the word didasko (to teach). Jesus taught and preached during His earthly ministry. Whether He was teaching or preaching, feeding the flock was the center of Jesus' ministry and should be the center of the pastor's ministry.
Feeding the flock was also central to the ministry of the apostles. In the book of Acts, the Apostles told the church "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables." (Acts 6:2) Their primary responsibility was the ministry of God's Word or feeding the flock. Feeding the flock is not a reference to physical food, but spiritual food. The physical feeding or ministry was passed on to others in the church. A primary role of all pastors is to preach and teach the word of God to the church God has given him. This is the primary duty of the pastor. Franklin M. Segler states: "In the pastor's multi-functional ministry preaching demands priority. Recent surveys indicate that preaching is too seldom given the place it deserves in the total work of the ministry." Charles Jefferson asserted: "if the pulpit decays the cause of Christ is lost, and nothing can take the place of preaching."
Under normal circumstances, a Southern Baptist Pastor preaches twice each Sunday and leads a Wednesday evening study. They often teach a Sunday School class and other classes as the opportunity arises. Pastors may produce special studies for the flock under their leadership, such as this one and may be called on to feed other flocks during revivals.
Teaching and preaching requires many hours of preparation. Study guides are available for Sunday School and Discipleship Training Classes and aid in preparation for these. Some pastors may use pastor's annuals to guide in sermon preparation, but most do not. Even with these aids, hours must be spent in study and prayer to keep lessons and sermons exciting, interesting, applicable, and biblically sound. Preparing a 25 minute sermon requires 20-25 hours of preparation, preaching textbooks suggest one hour of preparation for every minute of a sermon. Bible studies require approximately the same amount of time A one hour Sunday School lesson may require 2-5 hours of preparation. Preparation for other teaching opportunities varies with the course being taught and the amount of teaching aids available.