When applying for jobs today you generally will receive a profile or description of the position  that you seek. These profiles describe responsibilities that  are specific to the job. The Apostle Paul wrote about some primary objectives for all ministers when addressing the Ephesian church; “He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Paul would write to his young protege and outline four (4) primary functions of all pastors in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

1. A pastor must faithfully and consistently preach the Word of God. There is a subtle difference between teaching and preaching Scriptures. Teaching seeks to impart knowledge with suggestions for application. Preaching seeks to compel hearers to act on what they have learned from Scripture. Teaching feeds the mind; preaching challenges the will according to Charles Swindoll.
2. A pastor must confront wrongdoing and correct error. There must an uncompromising standard for purity with respect to doctrine and teaching. This requires a due diligence in guarding and protecting those followers of the faith by the pastors example and to have qualified teachers to assist. Cultural sensitivity is required to prepare counter-cultural messages to keep the message of Scriptures central in the church and in our lives.
3. A pastor must lead the effort to evangelize the community. The church is to be the primary carrier of the “GOOD NEWS MESSAGE” of the gospel of Christ. Therefore, the pastor is not only the evangelist proclaiming a positive message, he is an example for others to follow as well. The pastor is not a substitute for other people’s failure to commit.
4. The pastor must serve his congregation. The phrase “fulfill your ministry” implies the idea of waiting on tables. It is the image of serving others. The pastor serves by coordinating the emotional and spiritual care of individuals in  the church. He assists in physical needs in times of loss and distress. The pastor marries, baptizes, and bury’s members of the church.