The Pastor's Duties

There's a lot of confusion in our day as to what the duties of the pastor are.  More and more the pastor is seen as everything from a CEO, motivational speaker, entertainer, and even psychologist.  The pastor is none of these things and in fact these wrong expectations often distract the pastor from doing that which God has placed him in the congregation to do.  Johann Gerhard lists seven duties of the pastor (taken from On the Ministry: Part Two by Johann Gerhard, pages 100-101):

1.Therefore the first and foremost duty of ministers of the church is the preaching of the Word, through which the Holy Spirit is efficacious in providing inner illumination of the heart. 
2. The administration of the Sacraments.
3.To pray diligently for the flock entrusted to them.
4. Should lead their hearers with the example of an excellent life – honorable management of their life and behavior.
5. The administration of church discipline. 
6. Preservation of ecclesiastical (liturgical) rites. 
7. Care of the poor and visitation of the sick. 

This list is a wonderful summary of what you should expect from your pastor and also gives you a good list things you can pray for when you pray for your pastor.