Is he really a 'pastor'?

[Memphis Dwight]

Growing up in the churches of Christ, I learned that the denominations practice many things for which there is no biblical authority. One of which is to refer to the preacher as a pastor. This is not always in keeping with the bible. Here is a neat little article that the reader can peruse in his spare time.

 

[DrRay777]

D,

This is a good question and topic. I am one of the people to whom God has given the job of identifying the ministry gifts that Jesus has given to His people, (Eph. 4:11) and to help them learn how to operate in maturity with those gifts. You are an apostle, by the way. Some people distinguish the ministry gift from the office. I think that this is probably correct, as everyone has one of the gifts but not everyone is supposed to fill the office of an elder or leader associated with the gift. However in time if we do our jobs, (as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers) we will become kings and priests in the kingdom, (Revelation 1:6). So we all have the potential to be leaders and officers in the kingdom.

The problem with the church as you so aptly pointed out, (but is not really addressed in the article that you linked) is that the ministry gifts are not properly understood nor highlighted. They are rather brushed under the carpet and largely ignored, e.g., most leaders are called pastor when clearly they are not all of that gifting. That is one of the reasons that the church is so ineffective, because it cannot actually become perfected unless the individuals know what their ministry, (and other) gifts are and begin to operate in them in proper order, (see also, Ephesians 4:7-16 and I Corinthians chapters 12-14). These scriptures tell us that this in not a new problem. I believe that anyone who calls themselves a Christian should know what their ministry gift(s) is/are within minutes of salvation. Then it is the job of the leaders of the church to get that person plugged into the government of God and learn to operate in those gifts in proper order. This is how the church will mature or become perfected and Jesus will come back, (Eph. 4:9-16). However, what I find is that most people reject these truths and prefer instead to continue in the same old operation of mainstream religiosity that they were raised up in, which clearly is not working.

God told me to do a teaching on this subject and will be entitled, ‘Have You Buried Your Talent?’ I hope to get to work on it soon, as I am now working on one regarding Christian polygyny and how it fits into the end-time move of God, (‘The New Thing’).

Thanks for your post. I look forward to the responses.

Be blessed,

Ray

 

[Melanie]

Pastor, Padre, Father, Priest, Rabbi, Reverend, Preacher, Elder, Bishop

A rose by any other name...

I think the title given to these people is the least important thing about this issue. What struck me about that article was the list of what is required of a man seeking to fulfill such an office. I think the vast majority would fall well short, but there is little that can be done about it.
The name we call them means little, it's what they do and their intentions that count. So what is to be done?

Enough debate and gas bagging guys, id love to read some ideas. :mrgreen:

 

[DrRay777]

Melanie,

If you would truly love to read some ideas about what to do then visit my web site and read the book and teachings that God has had me do. The answers are all there.

Ray