Theology's Role in the Local Church

The Pastor and His Need to do Theology

There is a deep conviction in my life to be a committed under-shepherd of God, to be a servant of the Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ by helping lead the flock toward Him. My convictions echo the sentiment of Paul when he wrote, “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Colossians 1:28-29). As an aspiring pastor I have a responsibility to proclaim Christ and to admonish and teach His people. In order to accomplish this task theology plays an inevitable role.

Just like Paul I have convictions to preach Christ. My conviction is to proclaim Christ with theological astuteness. Mark Dever says, “The most important and fundamental role of the pastor is to preach the Gospel clearly. The primacy of preaching will never change, no matter what stage of life the church is in . . . preaching will always be primary because the church is distinguished from the world by living on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4)” (The Deliberate Church, 89). I am in wholehearted agreement with this statement. Mark Dever relates the holiness of the church to the preaching of the Word of God which essentially requires a pastor to do theology. It is important that as a preacher that I preach the truth, not merely facts. The preaching of Christ must not just involve intellectual ascent, but must involve my whole being. D.A. Carson says, “Mere orthodoxy is not enough; Christians must live out their creed. The gospel of the crucified Messiah must transform not only our beliefs but our behavior. And where deviations from the way of the cross are sufficiently notorious, that leader may have to resort to some form of discipline” (The Cross and Christian Ministry, 109). The preaching of the theology of the Gospel absent of a God changed life would be a failure.

My pursuit of accurate theology is not constrained to the preaching of the Word, but also for the sanctification of God’s children. Teaching and admonishing the people of God is a difficult task that requires theology. Teaching and admonishing may take form in many ways in pastoral ministry; whether preaching, counseling, discipleship, or protecting the flock, all must be done through a sound theological lens. The sanctification of the flock of God is directly tied to the Word of God, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). I would endeavor to teach the people of God theology by way of expository preaching and instruction in the propositional truths found in Scripture. To teach the Word of God is to aide in the sanctification of a believer. Jesus has clearly stated that to sanctify the people of God is to use the truth of God.

As part of my efforts to teach the Word of God would be an emphasis of one-on-one discipleship within the church. Growing up I was a first hand witness of the failure to make disciples. I would try my best to pass on the faith to faithful men (2 Timothy 2:2). I have a strong conviction to help raise leaders in the church and to see others grow in their faith and maturity of God.

Lastly, I have a longing to practice and teach theology to the church with much love to the people out of a love for God. To properly feed the sheep requires a love for God (John 21:15-17). I honestly believe that a genuine love for the people opens doors for the pastor to be effective in ministry. Regarding love and shepherding Charles Jefferson says, “Whatever other virtues a shepherd of Christ’s sheep may have, without love he is poor and naked. He must have many virtues, but the one that gives vitality to all of them, and which binds them all together, is love. He has various works to do, but his supreme work is loving. If he loves he will do all the things which shepherds ought to do” (The Minister as Shepherd, 56). Theology with a loving heart is a must for any person that is shepherding the flock of God.

The Flock and Theology

Despite what many may think, the congregation is also obligated to do theology. While the pastor teaches and does theology before the local church; its members ought to emulate that attitude. Every thought of the believer must be taken captive by the glory of God. I believe that the pastor should do all that he can to stimulate growth in the flock. His endeavor should be like that of Paul in Philippians 3:8, “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” As a pastor I would labor for the sheep of the flock to realize this great truth, that knowing God is greater than any joy in this world. But in order for people to reach this maximum joy and contentment (even in life’s deepest and darkest moments) would require a deep understanding of God and His Word. I believe that as the eyes of God’s children open wider and wider to His truth they will find drastic contentment like that of Paul. The results of an intimate knowledge of God can produce much fruit for the believer. J.I. Packer says that the results of knowing God is people who have great energy for Him, thoughts of Him, show great boldness for Him, and have great contentment in Him (Knowing God, 27-31). If the people of God are committed to taking up their crosses and being disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ they will be willing to engage in serious theology.

I would not only encourage believers to do good theology for their own benefit, but also for the benefit of the church fellowship. As a collective group the group that practices and does good theology will be able to hold each other accountable to a God honoring biblical standard. I honestly believe in Proverbs 27:17 when it says, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” So the church should seek out to sharpen each other and help point each other to Christ by proper theology. As the pastor seeks to teach the flock sound theology, the pastor will see the benefits not just for the church, but for the church’s leadership as well because its members would have biblical discernment to keep leadership accountable. When leaders are held accountable to do good theology the church is strengthened. I would labor to build up church members that are theologically sound so as to even hold myself accountable, not just for my own benefit, but for the benefit of the church body.

It is important the believers see their role of theology in the church. Members who do proper theology in their ministry will produce more meaningful ministry that honor God. The spiritual growth and theology done by an individual must not solely rest on the pastor; each and every member is a child of God that is called to serve Him in some way, shape, or form in the local church.