What Scripture says preachers are responsible for their Congregation?

Answer 1

The word preacher in the New Testament refers to an evangelist not a pastor/elder

The words pastor elder and bishop seem to be used interchangeably in the NT.

In the following verse Paul speaking to the elders of the Ephesian Church:

Act 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

In this verse from the letter to the Ephesians Paul does not mention elders (he is talking about gifts):

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Peter here writes about the elders shepherding the flock:

1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

A pastor may be some one who is gifted in teaching whereas an elder is an office. Leadership in the New Testament Church was a plurality not one individual such as a pastor. So the elders are responsible for the congregation.

Another answer:

The Scriptures speak of the Day of Judgment coming upon all men. In that Day, all men will give an accounting of himself to his Creator for everything he thought, did and said in his life. In other words... God holds every man responsible for himself.

"...I AM coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to repay all according to their deeds." (Rev.22:12 NLT New Living Translation)

"...I tell you this, that you must give an account on Judgment Day of every idle word you speak." (Matt.12:36 NLT)

The things we say and do in this life will be Judged. And our reaction to that Judgment [whether or not we repent and seek God's Forgiveness and Mercy for our infractions against Him] will determine whether or not we will be "hurt by the Second Death."

"...This is the Second Death - the Lake of Fire. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the Lake of Fire." (Rev.20: 14-15 NLT)

So it is that the Scriptures reveal our responsibility to God for OURSELVES. This is a serious enough problem for each of us as sinners in this world in relating to God. Going astray of the Commandments of God, ourselves, is one thing...

But, being a pastor, preacher, deacon, elder or any other kind of "leadership" role [political, religious, parental] over others [teaching others to go astray, especially within the Body of Christ, the church] takes on a whole new set of rules and responsibility in the eyes of God.

"Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach WILL BE JUDGED BY GOD WITH GREATER STRICTNESS." (James 3:1 NLT)

"Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the Body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our Faith and Knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the LORD, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the Truth." (Eph.4:12-14 NLT)

"The purpose of my instruction is that all the Christians... would be filled with Love that comes from a Pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere Faith. But some teachers [preachers, pastors, deacons, elders] have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking foolishness. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don't know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident. We know these laws are Good when they are used as God intended. But they were not made for people who do what is Right. They are for people who are disobedient and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is Holy, who murder their father or mother or other people..." (I Tim.1:5-9 NLT).

"The church should care for any widow who has no one else to care for her. But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them [their works]. This is something that pleases God very much." (I Tim.5:3-4 NLT)

Many congregations throughout history [political, religious, familial, organizational] have suffered and are suffering, today, at the hands, ideas and teachings of misled, deceived or wicked teachers [regardless of whatever name they are called or label they are given].

Being "responsible" to God for our thoughts and actions is EVERYONE'S job in this life [not just the political and religious leaders in the world]. Too many people remain ignorant of this fact, however, because the god of this world has blinded mankind to this first and foremost DUTY OF MAN:

"Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His Commandments, for this is the duty of EVERY PERSON. God will Judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad." (Eccle.12:13-14 NLT)

This is some of what the Scriptures say about responsibility within God's church and within our lives.