Pastors As Examples

An often quoted exhortation by the writer of the Hebrews letter is found in the final chapter. He urges us to

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. ... 

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. - Hebrews 13:7, 17 ESV

The Hebrew Names Version of the World English Bible puts the above verses like this:

Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. . .  

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you. - Hebrews 13:7, 17 HNV

Five commands pop out from these sentences:

• Remember
• Consider
• Imitate
• Obey
• Submit

He is speaking about those called into the ministry of Word and Sacrament, usually known among Christians as pastors, shepherds, reverend fathers, bishops, etc.—our clergy. What is he urging us to do? Let's start with remember. 

To remember is, of course, much more than recalling our pastor's name or sending him a card on his birthday. It means to be mindful of a person and then to act upon what you learned by remembering him. One example will suffice. 

Jesus speaks about what it will be like immediately before He returns to bring judgment upon the world (Luke 17:24-37). People will keep on doing what they've always done, eating, drinking, marrying and giving their daughters and sons in marriage. That's the way it was right up until the flood came in the days of Noah's building the ark. It was also that way on the day that Lot and his family fled Sodom before fire and sulphur rained down from heaven. 

But, says the LORD, remember Lot's wife (Gen. 19:17-26). What did she do or not do? She went with her family, but only so far. Finally she couldn't leave her home and everything in it. She couldn't obey the command to get out and not look back. And what happened to her? She got caught in the devastation. All that was left of her was a pile of salt! Remember that and do not follow her example. 

Now turn it around with pastors, assuming that they truly live godly lives. Remember them! Consider the results of their conduct. What happened when they lived as they did? By and large they are men who are examples to follow. That's why he urges us to imitate their faith. The Apostle Paul was willing to be an example. For instance he writes, 

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, ... It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. - 2Th 3:7, 9 ESV

Many of us have watched our pastors and learned to imitate them. We thank God for these living examples of a living faith in our LORD Jesus. This is also why we willingly and joyfully obey them and submit to their guidance and teaching. We know that they are called to watch over our souls. They do not want us to be deceived by the many, many false and confusing teachings in this world. And we know that one day they too will have to give an answer to the LORD for their teaching and their leadership.

Keep your pastors in your prayers and joyfully follow their examples.