Question:
Before anyone gets bent out of shape, pastoring in the Ephesians 4:11
sense is Biblical of course. What I am asking about is this modern
position in western culture known as 'the pastor'--is that Biblical?
'Pastor' in Ephesians 4:11 is a translation of the same Greek word
that is translated as plain on 'shepherds' elsewhere in the Bible. A
pastor is a sheep-tender.
Here are some aspects of the modern role of 'pastor' that I do NOT
find in the Bible.
1. The idea of there being oly one pastor per congregation or one
'senior pastor.'
2. The idea that the lead pastor in a church should be anyone other
than the Lord. I Peter 5 calls Him the 'Chief Shepherd'-- remember the
Greek word for shepherd is the word for 'pastor.'
3. The idea of one professional 'pastor' being over the elders of the
church. A stody of the Greek words in Acts 20 and I Peter 5 shows that
elders are commanded to pastor/tend the flock of God. Those appointed
as elders are to meet certain requirements.
4. The idea that an overseer of a congregation can be an overseer
merely because he is gifted or called, without having to meet any of
the lifestyle or character qualifications listed in I Timothy or
Titus.
5. The idea of 'pastor' as a career like any other job. The apostles
appointed elders from within congregations. There is no talk of hiring
pastors in the NT, or of pastors leaving one church for another with
better pay and better dental insurance.
6. The idea that it is the professional pastor's job to do all or most
of the talking in meetings. I Corinthians 14 contains the most
detailed set of instructions about how to conduct meetings. It says
nothing about one pastor talking for most of the meeting. Instead,
there are instructions on how 'every one of you' is to use gifts in
the meeting to edify one another. There are even instructions on how
to take turns prophesying, with no mention of running prophecies by
the 'pastor' before speaking them out int he assembly.
7. The idea that 'the pastor' is supposed to preside over weddings.
There is no mention of either Levites or city elders making weddings
official in the Old Testament. The New Testament doesn't mention this
either. Pre-Christian pagan Roman custom did have a pagan priest
preside over weddings in which the couple recited certain words,
including a phrase that signified bridal consent. The Roman Catholic
church later had their priests officiating weddings.
8. The idea that 'the pastor' must speak at funerals. The Roman
Catholic church developed traditions about the importance of a priest
speaking at a funeral. The Bible says nothing about this.
Answer:
Question: Before anyone gets bent out of shape, pastoring in the Ephesians 4:11
sense is Biblical of course. What I am asking about is this modern
position in western culture known as 'the pastor'--is that Biblical?
'Pastor' in Ephesians 4:11 is a translation of the same Greek word
that is translated as plain on 'shepherds' elsewhere in the Bible. A
pastor is a sheep-tender.
Here are some aspects of the modern role of 'pastor' that I do NOT
find in the Bible.
1. The idea of there being oly one pastor per congregation or one
'senior pastor.'
Answer: There was a head of each Church. James was the head of the Jerusalem
church and Timothy is mentioned as the head of a church. The name you
place on it may be a different matter. Originally the term in the early
church was Bishop but this was primarily an administrative position and
not necessarily the same person as the preacher (person with the gift of
preaching) but many times they were the same person.
Question: 2. The idea that the lead pastor in a church should be anyone other
than the Lord. I Peter 5 calls Him the 'Chief Shepherd'-- remember the
Greek word for shepherd is the word for 'pastor.'
Answer: There is plenty of evidence in the Bible of a leader of the local
congregation which is different from the leader of the Church universal.
The leader of the church universal is certainly Jesus.
Question: 3. The idea of one professional 'pastor' being over the elders of the
church. A stody of the Greek words in Acts 20 and I Peter 5 shows that
elders are commanded to pastor/tend the flock of God. Those appointed
as elders are to meet certain requirements.
Answer: This is not true of modern pastors that I am aware of. In out Church
the Paster is but one of the Elders and can be hired and fired by the
Congregation. In my Church he is paid as Paul said that he should be. In
many denomination, but not mine, the Pastor isn't even a member of the
Church.
Question: 4. The idea that an overseer of a congregation can be an overseer
merely because he is gifted or called, without having to meet any of
the lifestyle or character qualifications listed in I Timothy or
Titus.
Asnwer: Not true of my church. The Pastor is called by the congreation and must
meet all of the requirements of Timothy and Titus just like any elder of
my church.
Question: 5. The idea of 'pastor' as a career like any other job. The apostles
appointed elders from within congregations. There is no talk of hiring
pastors in the NT, or of pastors leaving one church for another with
better pay and better dental insurance.
Answer: Pastor was a paid position even in the Bible as was called for a full
time position. Paul said we should pay pastors or other full time
professionals.
Question: 6. The idea that it is the professional pastor's job to do all or most
of the talking in meetings.
Answer: Not true in my church. The elders have key roles in the worship service
and the Sunday School is most often taught by lay people. Business
meetings are conducted by an elder always, never the pastor.
I Corinthians 14 contains the most
Question: detailed set of instructions about how to conduct meetings. It says
nothing about one pastor talking for most of the meeting.
Answer: It depends on what meeting you are talking about. Instead,
Question: there are instructions on how 'every one of you' is to use gifts in
the meeting to edify one another. There are even instructions on how
to take turns prophesying, with no mention of running prophecies by
the 'pastor' before speaking them out int he assembly.
7. The idea that 'the pastor' is supposed to preside over weddings.
Asnwer: There is no requirement in the Church that a pastor preside but legal
arrangements in government often require this. You can certianly also
use a judge if you wish.
Question: There is no mention of either Levites or city elders making weddings
official in the Old Testament. The New Testament doesn't mention this
either. Pre-Christian pagan Roman custom did have a pagan priest
preside over weddings in which the couple recited certain words,
including a phrase that signified bridal consent. The Roman Catholic
church later had their priests officiating weddings.
Answer: Weddings are legal things these days. A legal contract and binding in
most states.
Question: 8. The idea that 'the pastor' must speak at funerals. The Roman
Catholic church developed traditions about the importance of a priest
speaking at a funeral. The Bible says nothing about this.
Answer: There is no such requirement in my church. Often the bereaved will ask
the pastor to speak but it is certainly not a requirement.
