“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV)
From this it is evident that there are five main tasks required in the pastoral office and true care of souls:
First: to lead to Christ our Lord and into His communion those who are still estranged from Him, whether through carnal excess or false worship.
Secondly: to restore those who had once been brought to Christ and into His church but have been drawn away again through the affairs of the flesh or false doctrine.
Thirdly: to assist in the true reformation of those who while remaining in the church of Christ have grievously fallen and sinned.
Fourthly: to re-establish in true Christian strength and health those who, while persevering in the fellowship of Christ and not doing anything particularly or grossly wrong, have become somewhat feeble and sick in the Christian life.
Fifthly: to protect from all offense and falling away and continually encourage in all good things those who stay within the flock and in Christ’s sheep-pen without grievously sinning or becoming weak and sick in their Christian walk.
~ from Concerning the True Care of Souls by Martin Bucer (1538) (p. 70)
{May this ever be my prayer, oh Lord my God}
*Note: Caring elders/pastors must seek the lost, bring back the wandering, restore the fallen, strengthen the weak, and encourage the strong. The Gospel brings salvation, healing, and deliverance.
In The Hands of the Refiner 