I Believe Pastors Should Also Be Honored as Teachers

There is the question, "What's the difference between a pastor and a teacher?" Ephesians 4:11 spells out that there are pastors and teachers. A teacher is not necessarily a pastor while a pastor is a teacher. How is that possible? A teacher is not necessarily leading a pulpit. A Bible teacher is not necessarily a pastor. I can teach Sunday school to a bunch of children all the while God hasn't given me the authority of a pastor. A pastor is someone who works as the shepherd of his flock.

The office of teacher is inseparable from the pastor's list of duties. Attending a worship service involves praise and worship. There is the singing of songs, there was the Sunday school an hour ago then what does the pastor do? He preaches and teaches the Word of God at the same time. He proclaims the Word of God at the same time he teaches the congregation how to apply the Word of God into their lives. He preaches and teaches the Bible to the entire flock as both pastor and teacher.

We need to look back at the task Jesus gave His apostles. Matthew 28:18-20 says the following things about the apostolic ministry: 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

The apostles were tasked to teach all nations the very commandments of Jesus. Pastors are also teachers of the Word of God. They are tasked to teach their flock to walk in the ways of God and to teach sinners in the ways of God. That's why I believe pastors must also be honored on teacher's day.