Bible Question:
First of all, I would like to declare that I mean no offence to any retired pastors here (if any). My question is generated from my curiosity and my understanding or perseption as to the life-long commitment of a pastor. If I am wrong, kindly correct me with scritpural support. My question is: Can a pastor retire? or Can a pastor not retire? My understanding is that once a person is called to commit himself fully to serve Christ (here, of course I should not limit it to the pastor, instead, every Christian should commit his/her life fully and life-long to Christ) as a pastor, can he retire someday just like those people having their retirement in the society? We see so many examples in the Bible - Moses, Paul, Peter - who demonstrated a life-long pastoring a certain group of people until death, why do we have retired pastors nowadays? Thanks for any scriptural guidiances. God bless you all. Azure |
Bible Answer: Hello Azure, No true believer in Christ retires as it were, they just change fields. There are scads of people that cross the paths of those in the body of Christ every day and it’s our privilege as believers to find a way to present the good news about Christ to those we come in contact with. I hope I am able to present to unbelievers, attending me at my death, the way to the precious Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. The only time and ambassador can cease to function as an ambassador is when he is called home. 2 Tim. 2:24-26 And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, [25] with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, [26] and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. Talking to people about their need for a savior isn’t work it’s a blessing that God has entrusted us with! CDBJ |