Posted on 01/08/2024 7:56:08 PM PST by Morgana
A distinction without a difference. To be a pastor is to be be a shepherd. The English word comes from
Old French pastor, pastur "herdsman, shepherd" (12c.) and directly from Latin pastor "shepherd," from pastus, past participle of pascere "to lead to pasture, set to grazing, cause to eat," from PIE root *pa- "to feed; tend, guard, protect." Compare pasture. - https://www.etymonline.com/word/pastor
Why are none of Paul’s letters not addressed to a pastor? No, Timothy was not a pastor. He was an apostle with an apostles responsibilities noted in Paul’s letters to him that were beyond one locality.
So you at least admit that apostles has authority, which in principle mean that leadership is Scriptural that shep-herds that have authority, if not as popes or other cult leaders but as street-level leaders among brethren as servants of the Lord esteemed for their labor.
The verb form of poimen is, in the NT, what the elders are charged to do. Read Peter.
Indeed, so what is the reason for your making a big issue out of using a name which denotes shepherding?
Today “Pastor” is an exalted title and position that men (& women) covet - strongly forbidden by our Lord in Matt. 23:6ff. Interesting how we apply & practice what is not in the Bible and reject/ignore what is there - in our “Bible” churches.
So this is it, that because some persons lust for power while others are motivated for love of the sheep then the idea of esteem of leadership and just authority (which I saw none of by you) must be ignored, as if shepherding was contrary to both?
Paul said "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1) and "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. "(1 Timothy 5:17-20)
And to trust/obey [peithō cf. Rom. 2:8, Gal. 3:1, Gal. 5:7, Jam. 3:3] those accounted/esteemed as leaders [cf. Luke 22:26; Mat. 2:6, Act.7:10] and yield [hypeikō] yourselves: "for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account." (Hebrews 13:17)
God hates a false balance, and authority is required of shepherding, in the fear of God, as those who will judged as being more accountable, and which Paul examples, and while the character of the overseers has declined, so has that of the flock. And thus more discipline is needed. Imagine if Paul came back today.
Interesting how we apply & practice what is not in the Bible and reject/ignore what is there - in our “Bible” churches.
1 Corinthians 14:34
“Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak;”
My dear brother - you read so much into what I wrote which I neither said nor believe.
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