Yes, it provides great interaction.
No
No
I haven’t read this thread completely… but I feel a rambling post coming on… lol Sorry if some of this has been covered by others. I guess I don’t look at the separation of saints and ministers as some do. We are all ministers in different functions of the body.
Being raised in the ministry, I never understood those who seemed to be terrified of the ministry… those who were in awe of the “man” and those who taught their kids to look out for my father as looking out for a cop when doing bad. This mentality is still in churches today although not as bad. My dad had the calling to preach the gospel and to guide a group of people, but lived like most everyone else. I also knew at bible study, he was teaching the study to himself as much as the congregation…
I totally respected him because of his love for the people, dedication to the Word of God.
Then it really hit hard when the snotty nosed brat that I grew up with, started preaching and was part of that “ministry” that is often glorified. I saw first hand personal beliefs become gospel and was hit hard with the reality of God uses men… just men and we all are called to be ministers in some function or other. I’ve come to respect my brother and love and respect my own pastor, but never is that position between me and God…
I am a firm believer that preachers should be in close communication with the rest of the people. Pastors need us, just as we need them… we are one body. Pastors are there to feed the sheep and lead by example. There isn’t supposed to be that separation… we are all kings and priests. We are all anointed.
Rev 1:5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.