Featured No pastors in the Bible

The ones who advocate that a "pastor" is an office is proclaimed loudest by those who have the most to lose, or stretch the Bible so much it become preposterous. Elders and deacons, none other. Sorry, but you pastors out there are not just grasping at straws but you do great damage to the church. If you think a pastor is an Elder then say so and join the ranks of your fellow Elders. No special titles, robes, stoles, collars, or seats in high places....an Elder among Elders and nothing else. We know why this is rejected by pastors. Because we love the titles, we love being the "Senior Pastor" we love have the pulpit central and us standing behind it, we love being called the "Clergy" we love being paid to do what we expect others to do for free. What is it a pastor thinks he can do that Elders cannot do?

 

I do not understand your statement. Please clarify. BTW, are you a pastor?

 

Again, you refer to the "Pastoral office" what office do you refer to? Are you saying somewhere in the Bible there is a office called the office of the pastor? If so please let us all know where you find such an office. Please. It is difficult to even think of such words to respond to such claims for they are patently false with no biblical support. Again, pastors have supplanted the Elders of the Church and they wish everyone to believe it is their authority to do even when there is ample evidence to the contrary. Do we not believe God? Do we not fear judgment? How can we say the Bible is the inspired Word of the Divine and then do as we please?

 

Preacher4Truth, are you a pastor? Is this not a fair question?

 

I ask Revmichel if he was a pastor and he did not respond. AS I have said, it is the pastors that have much to lose and the church everything to gain by restoring the Elders.

 

If you are a pastor be not ashamed of admitting the fact. If you are a pastor then I ask you, where are your Elders, or was Paul just kidding? This is my point, we claim to our congregations the Bible is true and reliable and then we ignore the most simple and basic parts. SHoe me anywhere in the Bible the "office" of the pastor is legitimate office. We know the Elder and Deacon are the only two offices, and we know a Elder is the overseer and shepherd of the Churh and you have replaced that which the Holy Spirit has ordained. How can you defend you action with such questions as "have I sold all things and hold them in common." Do you not understand the gravity of this matter? I for one would not look forward to standing in judgement as one who removed the Elders ordained by the Spirit and claimed title to their position.

 

No we do not hold all things in common. That said perhaps you can now answer my question if you are a pastor. I can understand your anti-biblical stance if you are a pastor defending your position of authority and livelihood, but it is difficult to believe anyone would reject their Bible and accept the teaching of someone who contravenes the very work of the Holy Spirit. Churches returning the Elders to their place causes fear among all pastors who fear losing their livelihood and the prospect of going out in the world, like everyone else in their congregation, and finding employment. As I said, ego is the what keeps pastors in place and Elders out of theirs. If Paul or Peter were to visit our churches today they would ask, "where are your Elders?" How would you answer them? Simple question.

 

Where is the word pastor and elder used interchangeably? You are not even close. In the NT there are only Elders, the ONLY word with this is Overseer. If you are saying a pastor is the modern day equivalent of an Elder then I ask: Why do you not call yourself an Elder and where are the rest of your Elders? You know very well the word pastor, like the word bishop is nowhere in the NT. Pastor certainly is not an "office" and certainly is not synonymous with anything in the NT. THe pastor has replace the Elders in the church and the Elders were instituted by the Holy Spirit. By what authority has this substitution occurred?