Posted on 08/16/2011 7:16:05 AM PDT by marbren
© 2011 WND
The early church did not have it. None of the apostles ever held the job. In fact, it appears nowhere in the New Testament.
Now, author Jon Zens states what undoubtedly has occurred to many Christians: The role of the "pastor" needs to be reconsidered.
In his new book, "The Pastor Has No Clothes! Moving from Clergy-Centered Church to Christ Centered Ekklesia, Zens asserts that the unbiblical office of pastor has grown via tradition into a hindrance both to church congregations and the pastors themselves.
It surely is not what our Lord had in mind, he contends.
Most church-goers are well aware that only a minority of members are active beyond attending weekly services. Almost universally, the modern institution is a "spectator church."
But when Jesus said he would build his "church" he used the secular word ekklesia to refer to the body of believers, which Zens explains was similar to our concept of a town meeting.
"Ekklesia was used about 100 times in the Greek translation of the New Testament to translate the Hebrew word qualal, which referred to the Israelite 'assembly.'"
The body of Christ, he says, "is to be a Spirit-led setting where kingdom business can be acted upon."
"In light of what ekklesia really entails, popular conceptions of 'church' are dangerously limited to coming to a building, singing, putting some money in a plate, hearing a sermon, and going home."
(Story continues below)
Read more: Why do Christians focus on pastors when Bible doesn't? http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=332965#ixzz1VCXRFI9e
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
Putting it simply; Pastors are Elders. Or Shepherds, Presbyters, Bishops, Overseers, and etc.
Two verses to consider.
I Timothy 3:1-7 and
Titus 1:5-9
Scriptural terms misused by denominations: Titus 2:1
Applying “pastor” as a synonym for the pulpit preacher. All pastors are pulpit preachers, but not all preachers are pastors.
Applying “pastor” “Elder” or “Bishop” to any women. Women are forbidden to be such: 1 Tim 2:12
Applying “pastor” to any young man, any single man, or a married man who has no children, or a married man whose children are not faithful in Christ
Applying “evangelist” exclusively to pulpit preachers who preach in different churches every Sunday, while refusing to call a “located preacher” an “evangelist” because he preaches in the same church every Sunday. The terms, evangelist, preacher and minister are interchangeable terms and the Bible makes no distinction as to whether the minister is located or moving around from week to week.
Applying “elder” to any young man, as Mormon missionaries insist they be called as they go door to door. Such a term applied to a young man is a violation of common sense.
more....
http://www.bible.ca/ntx-elders-pastors-bishops.htm
from what i can tell, a ‘pastor centered’ church, i.e. protestant (in all its hundreds of denominations) all rely on the bible and the pastor who is ‘calling the signals’.
the congregants rely on that pastor, and his/her interpretation of whetever verse(s) tickles their fancy that day......
that can only lead to it being pastor centered.....there is nothing else left.....
Building His Church on earth upon Peter and telling the disciples ‘Whatever you loosen on earth will be loosened in Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven’ gave that first leader, as well as his successors, carte blanche to design a liturgy.
With a blossoming Church priests or little Christs were needed to speak the liturgy and to serve as a stand-in for Jesus to forgive sins and advise congregants.
there is nothing else left.....
Just our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He’s really all that is needed.
The congregational church is laity centered.. Not too exciting IMHO.
The prophet Jeremiah, on the other hand, mentions Pastor or Pastors at least eight times by my count-- one of which is positive, one is neutral and eight are negative or warning.
In general, I see most organized religion as businesses, many in direct competition with each other. But all (with a handful of exceptions) doing a better job than the big government nanny alternative.
Excellent points.
Amen.
Because we want a king to rule over us whose a man and not a God...
You may be right but a lot of abuse goes on under, I believe it is Title V, ministerial exception IMHO.
There is no clergy class or special group set aside as priests in the Christian church. Those that were called elders or overseers were servants to the congregations scattered about not overlords or intermediaries between the members and God.
The priestly class with its special garb and titles is so obviously contrary to Jesus example and teaching that it cannot be called Christian.
By the second century AD we know of travelling teachers like Valentinius and Lucian who visited the Roman provinces and created the organizations that led to the founding of churches. Justin Martyr was among the most famous early Chnristians and he attracted many students who would themselves one day become “pastors”. Most importantly, by the time of Justin Martyr’s death in 165 AD the Church polity, like communion and baptism, were fully developed. At Church gatherings the congregation heard a portion of the scripture read by a Church leader. Then the same leader, or someone else who Justin called a “Ruler”, sermonized, and led the congregation in prayer which was held standing. By the third century it is posited that a Christian could travel throughout the Roman Empire and wherever a Church was present he or she could expect to find a certain familiar formality with a pastor leading his congregation.
Obviously somebody that doesn’t know what a pastor is.
We need to bring back priestesses.
Really hot ones.
***********
You are completely discounting the vested partnership between Christ and his called servants -- Mark 10:41-44, Hebrews 13:17, (Ephesians 4:7-13 is also germane).
The Presence of the Power of the Holy Spirit -- the same one who calls and instructs the hearts of the faithful--...
...Gives correction & direction to the bishops and elders (episcopos/presbuteros); for the oversight & governance of the Body of Christ -- ....
....As well as "seed to the sower" ( 2 Cor 9:10)-- for those whose ministry is preaching and teaching-- those noted worthy of double-honor. (1Tim 5:17-21)
One should be careful impugning those who have answered the calling -- and serve faithfully before the Lord, and intercede for His Beloved -- the Church.
Church was a community center/retreat for early Christians.
Yes, Pastor was the care taker, he would show you how to avoid getting caught, how to get food, and maintain your faith in the face of these threats.
God is where 3 or more gather in his name. That wasn’t the point of the early church.
I think the Church and the Pastor is primarily tradition based, based on the early persecution, saints, and the martyrs. It was a system of keeping Christians safe and together....which is the hope in which it still exists today.
Think of your pastor as you local safe-house overseer, he is supposed to know his church, his area, his flock, and be prepared to keep you safe in your faith.
Store front ministries can also be amusing.
Money and attendance seem to be the driving forces.
In my church experience, there is a pastor who gives sermons and pastoral care to a diverse group of people. Some of the people receiving the the pastor don't have a clue and would accept an “interpretation of the day”, but there are many members that are as well versed in the Bible as the pastor and well grounded in their faith. These may be called deacons, elders or other names, but in the churches I have attended, they have the power to take a pastor to task or ask them to leave if they don't hold true to the faith.
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