Results 1 - 2 of 2
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What are the roles of pastor/lay person? | Eph 4:11 | sleevegreens | 105617 | ||
I am really wondering where we have gotten the strong position held in most churches about what a pastor is supposed to be in this day and age. It seems to me that so many people think that a pastor is supposed to have some sort of authority or rule in the Christians personal life, and that seems to be extra Biblical to me. I guess my question is what EXACTLY is the role of a pastor supposed to be, what is the role of someone under a pastor supposed to be, and what is the Scriptual basis for it? | ||||||
2 | What are the roles of pastor/lay person? | Eph 4:11 | EdB | 105645 | ||
Good question and one many have been dealing with for years. In fact many feel the deeds of Nicolaitans spoken about by Jesus in Rev 2:6 was an aberrant exalting of clergy over laity. Ephes. 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, This gives a picture of a Pastor’s main job to equip and prepare laity to do the work of the Lord and to edify and encourage church body. Pastors are often compared with shepherds whose duty include protection of the sheep, feeding of the sheep and leading of the sheep. 1 Peter 5:1-4 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: [2] Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; [3] nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; [4] and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Gives a good picture of this and also carries with it a warning to the Pastor not to feel pushed into the job or to be doing it for money but rather a exciting calling of the Lord. Likewise verse 5 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Gives us an example to the laity. They are to submit or work with their pastor not being a thorn in his side. This is reinforced in Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Two things get into the way of all of this, human nature’s desire for power or control and greed for money. Most abuse in the church from either side can be pinned back to one of these two factors. When either side tries to control or make demands upon the other problems arise. A pastor should the chief servant in the church working to insure the needs of his flock are met. The inverse of this should also be true the church should do everything they can to lighten and facilitate the pastors job. When either fall out of character problems arise. Money is probably the biggest obstacle in effective ministry and can be solved the easiest. The pastor should be paid equal to or a little better than the median income of the church. All finances including salaries should be known to all and no major expense or project should be decided unless by agreement of the majority of members and the pastor. The control issue is a little harder, people have a tendency to exalt a pastor into a position of sinless perfection and from there many times allow a pastor to control them. When we realize a pastor is just a man many times that control is broken. Also a church board should insure the pastor is not controlling and also that the pastor is not being controlled either by the board or someone else. If each side does their best to comply with the above scriptures problems will be a minimum. EdB |
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