“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
Acts 20:28

Pastors are the first line of defense against error. The Apostle Paul explains that a pastor (elder, overseer) must be able to hold “firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9). Why? In the next verse he explains that “there are many rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers” who upset entire families, “teaching things they should not teach for the sake of dishonest gain.” This is also true in our day.

In Acts 20 and 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul describes the life of a trustworthy pastor, who faithfully lives out the message of the Gospel for all to see, so that the life-giving message of Christ will not be discredited. He warns Timothy that “the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron” (1 Tim. 4:1–2), and he adds that “In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus” (v. 6). For the sake of the Gospel and the church, he exhorts Timothy to “Watch your life and doctrine closely” (v. 16).

Because of widespread abuses, the term “man of God” has become a cause for mockery. But pastors who are well prepared can both warn their flocks and correct others with compassion and integrity. We’re here to help.