Is the watchman at his post!

Habakkuk 2:1 “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.”

The prophet here says “I will stand upon my watch…”, the word “watch” means – an office to observe, keep, safeguard, and be in charge of – therefore the watchman of today would be the pastor. The Pastor of a church is the “under-Sheppard” and the “overseer” of the Lords churches and therefore he is the one that Jesus Christ the Head of the Churches has appointed to watch-care over His beloved church. Some today fail to understand what the work of a Pastor is, they believe it is just to preach but it goes much deeper than that, for example the sheppard of a flock of sheep keeps watch over them that no harm comes to them and while the Sheppard (Jesus Christ) does exactly that it is the job of the under-sheppard to tend to them. This is a very important appointment and should not be taken to lightly as some today do.

This is a work that requires the cooperation of us all, which is the entire church. If we properly understand the bible it is a tool that teaches us, reproofs us - which means it keeps us from errors and heresies, it corrects us - that is it teaches us what sin is and tells us to refrain from it, and it instructs in righteousness. When your Pastor “snoops” around or asks questions about your life it is not that he is entering an area where it is none of his business it is that there may be something in your life that needs a little correcting. If church members will not allow their under-sheppard do his work which the Lord has appointed him then the Sheppard Himself will tend to you. Each and ever church member is obligated to Lord Jesus Christ first, and secondly the Lords church to keep from error and if not then the Lord will deal with you and also the church will deal with you. It is not that the Pastor or the church enjoys discipline but all must understand that Baptist churches are not open churches that will allow just anyone being a member. The entire membership has an obligation to the Lord and His church to live good lives. A good church member love and works with their Pastor and not against them.

The good “watchman” stands in the tower and keeps his flock under-guard from sin. The Lord told the church “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” Galatians 5:9 and therefore it is the Pastor that has the duty to tend to these issues. It is he that teaches, prays, and watches over the Lords flock and if we fail as pastors then the church may very well fail and Jesus Christ will hold us pastors responsible. However with that being said if a church fails to allow the pastor to do his job and she fails then they will be held responsible. Church members must understand that God works through His pastors and therefore their opinions should be taken very seriously by the church. He is your leader and your over-seer and if a church fails to take his opinion seriously then they are failing to obey God. While it is true that the pastor is not the lord over the church he is a Christ appointed man to lead and watch over the church. Church members that love their pastors and works with their pastors will see a sweet communion between the Head (Jesus Christ) and the church.