What if all a pastor had to do… was what Jesus commanded him to do?
Study.
Teach.
Pray.
What if that was it?
What if the pastor’s primary responsibility wasn’t managing programs, attending every meeting, solving every dispute, answering every text within five minutes, visiting every hospital room personally, planning every event, and carrying the emotional weight of every member?
What if his main assignment was simply this:
Study. Teach. Pray.
How much stronger would Sunday sermons be if his week revolved around deep study of the Word instead of constant interruption?
How much clearer would our theology be if he had uninterrupted time to wrestle with the text?
How much more powerful would corporate worship feel if it was fueled by hours spent on his knees before God?
Study.
Teach.
Pray.
Some say people wouldn’t come to church if a pastor actually did that.
It’s true — some people might get upset. Because if a pastor is going to truly devote himself to what Jesus commanded, he’s going to have to say “no” sometimes.
No to good things.
No to unnecessary things.
No to things someone else is actually called and equipped to do.
And when he says no?
He might be called uncaring.
Detached.
Just a teacher, not a shepherd.
People might say he doesn’t care about the shut-ins, the sick, the orphan, the poor, the hurting.
But here’s the question:
What did the Apostles do when the early church was exploding with need?
In Acts of the Apostles 6, when complaints rose and widows were being overlooked, the Apostles didn’t ignore the problem. They addressed it — wisely. They appointed capable, Spirit-filled men to oversee that ministry.
And then they said something that still echoes today:
“We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Study.
Teach.
Pray.
They understood something we often forget:
If the Word is neglected, everyone eventually suffers.
If prayer is sidelined, power fades.
If study is replaced with busyness, depth disappears.
When pastors are free to do what Jesus actually commanded them to do:
People are saved.
Believers are strengthened.
Scripture is understood.
Faith matures.
The church grows in health — not just in numbers.
A pastor who studies deeply feeds the flock faithfully.
A pastor who teaches clearly equips the saints thoroughly.
A pastor who prays consistently leads spiritually.
This isn’t a small job description.
It’s simple.
But it is not easy.
It requires discipline.
Protection of time.
Courage to disappoint people.
And a church mature enough to understand biblical roles.
So here’s the real question:
Why do we want to disturb that?
Why do we resist the very structure God gave the church?
Shouldn’t pastors do what Jesus commanded them to do?
Study.
Teach.
Pray.
It’s easy to remember.
Hard to protect.
Essential to the health of the church.
Maybe instead of asking pastors to do more, we should ask them to do what Scripture says — and then guard that calling fiercely.
Because when shepherds are devoted to prayer and the Word, the entire body is stronger.
Study.
Teach.
Pray.
phillipbrande.com 