Featured Were there no elders/bishops/pastors in the New Testament?

My people get mad at me for using the term "elder" instead of the equally Biblical term "pastor." They say it makes us sound Presbyterian.

 

don't know if this was same church, but they did not have either teachers/pastors formally, but had whoever felt led by the Spirit to have a message/teaching for thecongregation each meeting!

 

No the HCM does not like designated leadership. They have a false sense of humility. Personally I think it has to do with their own pride not wanting to be accountable to church leadership or even the church as a whole.

 

That is exactly right. They have an aversion to Biblical authority.

 

if so, they are in rebellion, for Chrsit modeled for us the proper examily of following 'biblcal authority!"

 

A look at Ephesians 4:11 will dispel the entire OP. The office of pastor is biblical.

 

Well according to Alvin, the 16th century latin word "pastor" replaced the ancient Greek word "shepherd." He keeps insisting that "shepherding" is a verb, and something that elders do, not a name of the office.

We have all pointed out to Alvin that the word "pastor" is the OLDER of the two words, that "shepherd" is not a Greek word at all, and that "pastor" in Ephesians 4:11 is a noun, but apparently Alvin is more concerned with spamming the board with cultish propaganda, than he is with actually discussing the subject.

He also accused pastors and elders who are financially supported by their congregations in order to do full time ministry, of loving their "salaries" too much to "obey God"....apparently, Mr. Alvin has cut out the many places in the New Testament where it speaks of financially supporting the pastors/elders, as well. When these verses are pointed out to him, he of course, conveniently ignores them.

You cannot argue with someone who has been brainwashed in a cult. Everyone on the board has pointed out his logical inconsistency, and continual changing of positions. He doesn't care. He has an axe to grind against biblical authority figures, and he means to beat up everyone who does not agree with him.