---
title: 'What Does a 19th Century Presbyterian Pastor Have to Say About the Relationship Between Pastors and Their Flocks?'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2017-12-05
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2017-what-does-a-19th-century-presbyterian-pastor-have-to-say-about-the-relationship-between-pastors-and-their-flocks
---

# What Does a 19th Century Presbyterian Pastor Have to Say About the Relationship Between Pastors and Their Flocks?

We have highlighted [Thomas Murphy (1823-1900)’s](/authors/thomas-murphy) important work on *Pastoral Theology* (1877) [previously](/blog/2017-how-should-the-pastor-spend-his-time-in-the-study-read-chapter-3-of-thomas-murphys-pastoral-theology), but additionally, he has written separately on [*Duties of Church Members to the Church*](https://www.logcollegepress.com/s/Murphy-Thomas-Duties-of-the-Church-Members-to-the-Church.pdf) (1878) and [*People and Pastor: Duties Involved in the Important Relation*](https://www.logcollegepress.com/s/Murphy-Thomas-People-and-Pastor.pdf) (1887). Both of these works are filled with practical wisdom and eminently relevant today within the life of any congregation. For a sampling of the topics considered, here is a list of the duties of church members discussed, followed by a list of the relationship aspects between pastors and their flock.

Duties of Church Members:

- To pray for the Church;
- To attend Church;
- To support the Church;
- To draw others to the Church;
- To study the peace of the Church;
- To guard the good name of the Church;
- To stand by the Pastor of the Church;
- To contribute to the benevolent objects of the Church;
- To adopt some branch of Christian work; and
- To help in the Sabbath-school of the Church.

Topics involved in the important relationship between Pastor and the People include:

- "Electing a Pastor"
- "Love Your Own Church"
- "Hearing and Criticising the Sermon"
- "Receiving the Pastor’s Visits"
- "Bearing Evil Reports to the Pastor"
- "Guarding the Pastor’s TIme"
- "Working With the Pastor"
- "Aiding the Pastor by Attending Church"
- "Drawing Non-Attendants to Church"
- "Minor Duties"
- "Spoiling a Pastor"
- "Guarding the Pastor’s Good Name"
- "Pastor’s Salary"
- “Prayer for the Pastor”
    
    From an experienced 19th century Presbyterian pastor, there are many practical lessons here that are worth considering today. Consider downloading these books for further study.