Responsibilities of Pastor Leader in the Growth of Number of Congregation Members

Responsibilities of Pastor Leader in the Growth of Number of Congregation Members

 

 

            Religion has been a vital sector of people’s lives ever since. There is no

 

existing society without a sense of religion or faith. Even in the prehistoric times,

 

archeological evidences show that early men at that time worship gods in their

 

own way.

 

            Back then, there are just some major religions believed around the world.

 

Colonialism has been a major factor in spreading one particular religion. But,

 

different churches start to sprung from one major religion creating numerous

 

sects and divisions distinguished by doctrine and church authority. Sects began

 

to separate itself from the church when views regarding issues such as church

 

authority and interpretation of the gospel start to differ. And one of the results of

 

sect separation is the congregational churches.

 

            When reforms are pointed out by Martin Luther in the sixteenth century

 

regarding the Roman Catholic Church, Protestantism was born out of it.

 

Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches that run on its own

 

affairs autonomously and independently. Political and cultural changes had

 

created the environment with new ideas about the relationship between men and

 

God. Reformers advocated the faith in authenticity in the New Testament. It led

 

to criticizing the power of priests over people in proclaiming the faith, corrections

 

of distorted original Christian thinking and protesting against church abuses.

 

Thus, Congregationalism had revolutionized itself growing to complete autonomy

 

from a former single domination.

 

            India is one of the countries where religion is an important part of culture

 

and history. A vast majority of Indians associate themselves with a certain

 

religion because of religious diversity and tolerance established in law and

 

custom. India is the birth place of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism,

 

which are considered as one of the world’s major religions. But due to

 

colonialism, invasion, travelers, traders, immigrants and missionaries from

 

abroad, other religious traditions had found its place in the country. Islam and

 

Christianity are the other major religions followed in India today. Also,

 

congregational churches had established itself leading a growing number

 

members.

 

            Unlike in Catholic Church where the church leader performing sacraments

 

and proclaiming the gospel is called the parish priest, in Congregational churches

 

the church leader is called pastor. Pastor is the ordained leader of the

 

congregation which the term is derived from the Latin word ‘shepherd’. It is the

 

pastor’s responsibility in engaging the congregation into spiritual and emotional

 

activities that will help balance the challenges of life and faith of the people and

 

eventually benefit the church. Leadership plays a meaningful role promoting,

 

values, viewpoints, compassion, beliefs and communication within the

 

congregation. Catholic Church and Christian congregation has almost the same

 

framework of faith except for some viewpoints and regulations regarding the

 

religion. For example, followers of Christian congregation believe that salvation

 

comes by faith alone in Jesus Christ as the God rather than relying in good

 

deeds to other people. Another difference between the two religions is the pastor

 

can marry while priests practice abstinence.

 

            According to studies, strong leaders make the churches grow in terms of

 

number of members. A follower of a certain religion sees the need of an effective

 

leader in engaging in gospel teaching and conducting homilies. Thus, it is

 

important for an appointed congregation leader to be a man of values and

 

talented in rapport.

 

            As the pastor of the church, his major responsibility is leading the

 

congregation. Each worship service is led by the pastor starting from a prayer

 

asking blessing for God. Homily or sermon is the main core of each worship

 

session conveying a message interpreted or related from the bible. But, aside

 

from effectively delivering the homily, the most essential part of being a pastor is

 

unfolding the viewpoints and beliefs of a good life. Having faith in God is the main

 

reason of man’s existence. A man of faith is a man of salvation. This message is

 

not confined in verbal methods but in non-verbal as well. Aside from

 

encouragement, admonition and praise, living an exemplary life is the best way in

 

conveying the message.

 

            Leading a congregation is a tough job, but doing it with full devotion will

 

make it easier than it seems. Social, political and cultural differences created a

 

climate of partisan religion. But, despite the different beliefs and practices

 

followed by churches, the ultimate message of religion is having faith in God.

 

 

 

 

References:

 

Aldrich, Martha, Strong Leaders Make Churches Grow

 

Morgan Lee, Duties and Responsibilities of Pastors, 2009

 

 Napa, Celest, The Meaning of Leadership in a Pastor, 2008

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http://www.indiasite.com/

 

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