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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Should pastors/preachers be evaluated | 1 Cor 4:4 | DocTrinsograce | 242360 | ||
Hi, Sister Azure... I cannot speak to how our Lutheran brethren handle this question. However, I do have some experience with Historic Baptists (ARBCA) and Presbyterians (OPC). The elders are ordained in both groups. Every church has at least three elders, often more. Some of the elders are teaching elders while others are what are called ruling elders. The definitions and roles vary somewhat even among individual congregations. Nonetheless, the elders are always meeting together for mutual edification and accountability. In addition, there is often a lot of interaction with other Reformed congregations. If the churches are newly planted (i.e., less than five years old), then the elders also meet regularly with their founding congregations. In this latter situation, there are measurable goals that are set for the new congregation. Often elders from one congregation will be assigned to a new congregation when their elder boards (or "sessions" as they are called by Presbyterians), lack qualified men. Sometimes whole families will be asked to attend a congregation that needs solid congregants. When needed, a teaching elder will take the pulpit of a congregation in times of need. I have even seen this done between Baptists, Presbyterians, and Dutch or Reformed Church of America pastors. With a plurality of elders, efforts are continually made to insure that the men are walking in a manner worthy of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). The elders are not only measured by what they teach and affirm, but also by how they live. Orthodoxy gives rise to orthopraxy. This combination is commanded by our Lord, and forms the basis of all teaching. In Him, Doc PS I recently noticed the following short article. You might find it interesting; although it does not have direct bearing on your question. http://www.ligonier.org/blog/5-things-look-church/ |
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2 | Should pastors/preachers be evaluated | 1 Cor 4:4 | azurelaw | 242374 | ||
Dear Brother Doc, Thank you and sorry for the late response. I will take a look at the cited article :-) We have pastors, elders and deacons. We do not have specific teaching elders. But if needed, elders will conduct teaching as well but depending on his capacity and ability or gift. In the past (well about 10 years ago), we did not have any official evaluation. However, due to some problems among the ministers (pastor and preachers), the board (contains pastor, elders, deacons) decided to set up an evaluation system in order to improve the communication. Now, new minister joined to the team and think that the evaluation is not according to the teaching in the bible based on the scripture I quoted here. I want to know if 1 Corinthian 4:1-5 relevant to the situation. If yes, how? (To me, the context of the scripture seems not answering this question. That's why I ask "how") If not, is there any scripture specifically/closely related to the issue? Thanks and shalom. Azure |
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3 | Should pastors/preachers be evaluated | 1 Cor 4:4 | EdB | 242375 | ||
While I believe in accountability, as in every pastor must be accountable to someone over them. I view the pastor as the earthly leader of the church he is pastoring. And as I said before the one that evaluates or critiques is really the leader. To try to have the pastor fulfill his functionas leader but also to have an evaluation process produces a two head beast. That is unnatural. Imagine it this way, the way Jesus explained the pastor or leader of the church. Jesus used the word shepherd. Sheep don't evaluate their shepherd, they live and thrive under the shepher's leadership. The owner of the flock is the only one that evaluates the shepherd. The owner in this case is Jesus. A two headed beast is an abomination. If Christ called the pastor to the church who in the church is qualified to second guess the leading the pastor is getting from Jesus? If the pastor isn't being lead of Christ why are you in the church? Either Christ is in fact in charge or the church is dead and there is little point in worrying about something that is dead. This in effect is what Paul was saying, if he is lead of Christ who on earth should question that leadership. Now even Moses needed the counsel of elders but they didn't evaluate Moses. When the children of Israel tried to evaluate Moses God intervened and the results were not pretty. |
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