1. Should churches have pastors? 2. Why?
When I use the term "pastor," I'm thinking from a biblical as opposed to a traditional perspective. As the bible describes pastors/elders/overseers, should churches have them?
I'm going to weigh in with my answer in a few days, but I first want to hear from you. What do you think?
25 comments:
Absolutely. They are a blessing to the church and fulfill the purpose of helping bring others to a full maturity in Christ and equipping them for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4: 11-13). Elders/pastors/overseers are not only a blessing, they are inevitable if the church is functioning in the way it should (equipping and edifying believers, making disicples of the nations). There will always be those who are more mature and those who are newer if the church is carrying out the Great Commission.
Having said that, there are many men in the church who function whis way without an official title or office. Likewise there are men who have an official title who don't function at all like what the Bible describes an elder to be like.
Thanks Arthur!
Eric,
I think this is a very interesting question. I want to take some time to think about it. I'll probably write a response/answer to be published on my blog tomorrow. I'll let you know here when it's posted.
-Alan
Thanks Alan. I'll look forward to reading it.
I agree with Arthur. In smaller gatherings where there isn't a designated pastor, I think God directs believers to pastor each other. As a general pattern, people more mature in the faith will set the pace and the attitude for less mature believers. They will also follow Jesus out loud at times, so that less mature believers can learn the physics of spiritual life.
Of course, God delights to move through exceptions to the general pattern, so I certainly wouldn't exclude newer believers from pastoring roles.
Eric,
Elders = Overseers = Pastors : plural.
As I understand it, pastor (poimen)mean "shepherd". The same word in other passages, referring to elders, commanded them to "shepherd, or tend the flock of God" (except where the verb form of the same word is used- Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-5.
IMHO the words "elder", "pastor", and "overseer" all refer to the same function of serving. I include "bishop" and "presbyter" as well.
All will not be gifted in the same way!
Joel,
Thanks for the input.
John,
I agree with all you have written.
Do you think churches should have pastors/elders/overseers?
Eric,
Churches should have elders who shepherd the flock. In a plurality of elders there will be a diversity of gifts for the task. I see no reason, Biblical or otherwise to use the term "pastor", especially with the implications incurred by the traditional use of the term.
Elders are equal co-workers with every other brother or sister in the congregation. Eldership does not imply status, or "office".
Thanks John.
What are the qualifications for a pastor? You see qualifications for deacons and elders, but not pastors. In fact the word pastors is used only one time in the NT (Eph 4:11) and then it is paired with "teachers". The previous list includes apostles, prophets and evangelists as separate yet pastors and teachers are combined. Amazing that pastors have become such an integral part of body life in the absence of scriptural evidence for such a position.
cm,
You are right.
So, do you think churches should have elders? Why or why not?
Having elders is not a matter of having elected positions. Being and elder has to do with spiritual maturity. You are not voted in as an elder - you are in a state of being an elder. In the Body of Christ, their is great fluidity in that someone functioning as an elder with one group of believers may not necessarily function in that same role with another group of believers. It all depends upon the makeup of the body and how the spirit fashions the living stones within each group. For instance I may meet with a group of new believers on one day and serve as one of the elders to that group. On another day, I may meet with a different group of believers who are older, more mature in their faith and who may serve as elders to myself within this group. Does this mean I wear my "Elder" name tag one day and not the next? Spiritual maturity leads one to function as an elder, overseer and bishop. These three are functions, not offices. It is easier to lobby for an elected office than it is to live a life of spiritual maturity that bears fruit. How often have you heard "I respect the office but not the person in the office"? In God's Kingdom everything is backwards. I recognize the spiritual maturity and respect the individual as an elder for the body.
I do believe we need Pastors who are trained in the Bible and understand world religion. I have been to small Bible studies where the leader spoke from a guide but didn't understand the Bible. It leads to confusion and isn't helpful to other new believers. But everyone needs to be a shepherd, and minister to each other using their spiritual gifts, and be knowledgeable about the Bible. Someone needs to lead the sheep.
cm,
Thanks for clarifying. Good comment.
Thank you Karen. God bless.
Eric,
For what it's worth, here's my answer:
"Answering a question about churches and pastors/elders."
-Alan
Thanks Alan. I read it. I always appreciate your thoughtfulness and balance.
It seems to me that as Christ builds his Church there will be pastors/elders/overseers given to that church bu God for the equiipping of the saints, shepherding of the flock, and leadership along the way as we follow Christ. Of course as a church is born it may begin with a few immature believers in need of more mature members, but God is faithful to provide the oversight and leadership needed to build an ekklesia up into Christ.
Bobby,
Thanks for emphasizing God's role and leadership in raising up elders.
Eric,
Ok, since I am part of the group mentioned and since I think this a valid argument, I'll bite :)
I would draw a distinction between early church practices that are filled with clear purpose in the New Testament, practices that seem incidental, and practices that may fall in between. For the first, I would offer such examples as baptism by immersion (purpose referenced in Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12) and pastors (like you, I would go to Ephesians 4). For the second, I would offer examples like the church meeting in homes, in high-rises (Acts 6:20-27), or in Ephesus, or Corinth, or Galatia for that matter--although some of those would make nice vacation spots if we were to make them obligatory. For the latter, I would offer the advisable practice of worship on Sunday (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:12), which has a strong tradition of being a memorial to the day of the week on which Christ was raised, but perhaps should not be considered required.
I know not everyone (anyone?) will be persuaded by this, but that's my attempt at consistency.
Grace and peace,
MJD
Mike,
I greatly appreciate your attempt at consistency. I try to be consistent myself, but I'm sure none of us is perfect in this.
I also appreciate that you have studied this issue and know why you believe what you believe. I'm sure that we could get together and have a great conversation about this issue.
My struggle is with people who don't know why they believe what they do and don't seem to care. This often leads to inconsistency in decision making. This occurs across the church spectrum.
Thanks for sharing.
Mike,
Like Eric, I appreciate your explanation. I would add another consideration to your list. If a practice causes us not to be able to carry out a command in Scripture (or an example with purpose), then we should change that practice. What do you think?
If you don't agree, I'd love to hear your reasoning.
If you do agree, I'd like to ask a question. What if the way we meet or the place we meet causes us not to be able to edify one another as we're commanded?
-Alan
Alan,
Naturally I would agree that if a practice causes us not to be able to carry out a command in Scripture, it should be jettisoned. And I can imagine the way we meet, the place we meet, or any number of other circumstances causing us not to be able to carry out the commands of Scripture.
Anticipating (hopefully not presumptuously) the rejoinder that the "traditional" or "institutional" church is exactly such an impediment, I can only say that I have not found it always to be so. In my experience, especially in the church I am a part of now, I have witnessed the faithful and grace-filled--if imperfect--living out of the New Testament's "one anothers." Those who are able to teach are encouraged to do so. One who senses the need to exhort or rebuke another, will lovingly come alongside him to do so. Those who are able to meet needs give freely and generously to those who have them. Those who have testimonies to share are regularly given space to share them.
Mike,
Actually, I'm not interested in suggesting that any church (whether more institutional or more organic) is or is not allowing the people gathered to follow the scriptural examples, principles, and commands concerning how we meet together or how we interact with one another.
-Alan
Post a Comment