“Better Together: How We Partner to do God’s Work”We all enjoy being part of a church family where God is working in mighty ways, but that doesn’t happen by accident. God tells us in His Word how He wants us to do His work together. If we follow His plan, we’ll receive great blessings and be a blessing to the world! Join us as we turn to His Word and learn how God positions us as His people so that we will be “Better Together.”Better Together: Pastors - providing direction and protectionreview from last time...- Who is our leader? King Jesus!- What does He want us to do? worship, grow, serve- How does He want us to do His work through the church, in smaller groups#1. Why we need pastorsMatthew 26: 31Ezekiel 34Acts 6: 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.Acts 20: 28 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.Ephesians 4: 11-12 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;I Timothy 5: 17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.I Peter 5: 1-3 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.names used in the Bible...- elder- shepherd/pastor- overseera summary of the role of pastors in our lives...- to lead- to feed- to protect#2. What a pastor looks likeI Timothy 3: 1-7, Titus 1: 7-9#1. blameless#2. a faithful husband#3. attentive#4. self-controlled#5. his life is not falling apart#6. welcoming#7. good teacher#8. wise about alcohol (Proverbs 20: 1; 23: 29-35)#9. not a bully#10. kind#11. not antagonistic#12. not controlled by money#13. maintains a good home#14. mature in Christ#15. respected by the community#16. makes good choices#17. strong in the Word#18. he’s a man#3. How we interact with our pastors#1. Pray for themI Timothy 2: 1-2 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority...#2. Follow their leadHebrews 13: 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.#3. Support themI Timothy 5: 17-18 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”#4. Encourage themI Thessalonians 5: 12-13 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.What’s the “Big Idea” today?God has given us pastors to provide direction and protection for our lives and our church family.