Is church authority is limited to this one role?
In other words, if someone is qualified to be an elder (as justified by scripture) does this make them a pastor?
If so, then anyone can and must be a pastor once they have the correct attributes. And while I do not dispute that pastors need to have these attributes, I do hesitate after reading Ephesians. This letter suggests God gave certain gifts, pastors being one, to equip his people so they could then do his work. Thus a pastor is not a way of living, it is a function. Pastors may help us gain what we need to do the work God asks of us, but does this make successful students new pastors? Surely, these attributes are true of all the gifts mentioned in Ephesians as well as any mature person.
Conversely the argument is made that if you are operating as a pastor, then you are an elder. Now while we should hope pastors are mature people, is this necessarily reality? Are there false pastors? Is it possible some people simply behave a certain way to gain approval or position? Look at what Jesus said to the Pharisees (Matthew 23). What about people who choose to start a church? Their intentions may be good, but does getting people to gather and conduct a service, with all its activities, give the right to call yourself a pastor?
scripture workshop
Look up the word poimen (pastor) in the bible. How often does it appear? Is the english translation pastor or something else? Do these references connect poimen with elders, congregations, local churches? If yes, how? If no, what are they speaking of?
When you do this just use the text you read and its surrounding context. Don't add personal understanding or the ways churches operate today.
connected link
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| spot the difference? Are elders and pastors the same thing? |
If so, then anyone can and must be a pastor once they have the correct attributes. And while I do not dispute that pastors need to have these attributes, I do hesitate after reading Ephesians. This letter suggests God gave certain gifts, pastors being one, to equip his people so they could then do his work. Thus a pastor is not a way of living, it is a function. Pastors may help us gain what we need to do the work God asks of us, but does this make successful students new pastors? Surely, these attributes are true of all the gifts mentioned in Ephesians as well as any mature person.
Conversely the argument is made that if you are operating as a pastor, then you are an elder. Now while we should hope pastors are mature people, is this necessarily reality? Are there false pastors? Is it possible some people simply behave a certain way to gain approval or position? Look at what Jesus said to the Pharisees (Matthew 23). What about people who choose to start a church? Their intentions may be good, but does getting people to gather and conduct a service, with all its activities, give the right to call yourself a pastor?
scripture workshop
Look up the word poimen (pastor) in the bible. How often does it appear? Is the english translation pastor or something else? Do these references connect poimen with elders, congregations, local churches? If yes, how? If no, what are they speaking of?
When you do this just use the text you read and its surrounding context. Don't add personal understanding or the ways churches operate today.
connected link
