Scriptually Where Did Pastoral Authority Come From?
 

Scripturally Where Did Pastoral Authority Come From?

In the Old Testament Moses was called of God to lead the Children of Israel...
Then he appointed men to lead...It seems rather than Pastoral is was more he was the leader of an organization...

the New Testament there were Apostles, Preachers, Teachers, Prophets, and Evangelist's..... All seemingly equal in Authority.... Paul counted himself equal to other believers...

Is our current mode of Pastoral Authority something that developed in the Western Society or is it scripturally sound?

That was said perfectly, brother, there's nothing more I can add but my agreement.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

With a calling from God does come Spiritual authority,or responsiblity but being a Pastor who has spiritual God given authority does not mean one is a dictator,or a overlord over God's heritage.

I hope to share your optimism, Raven. Great thoughts. Those of us who have spent most of or all of our lives in the OP movement will have something of a biased perception when it comes to pastoral authority and the role of pastors in general.

Even many of our pastors have had something of a cultural shock when they have left the Bible Belt and taken or started churches in other parts of the country. The role of an authoritarian pastor who makes all of your wardrobe selections for you is not something very many people are looking for. As soon as the preacher announces that he needs to hear everyone's vacation plan before hand, his church will be labeled "a cult" and evangelism will die. Advertising on television with this kind of an environment will actually be counter-productive.

The church needs servants. The church is crying out for servant-leaders. If you think of the saints you pastor as your "down line" and find yourself evaluating their revenue potentials - then you need to get a business license and hand off the § 501(c) to a servant.

Raven...Extremely well said....

In some areas it seem there are more Kings than Servants....

God should talk to you about doing a stint of inspired/infallible writing...

From power hungry men who like to abuse folks. Just thought I would say it for you.

Bro. Epley...

Do you feel the Position of Pastor is more important than the other roles listed??

Are they equally important in the kingdom or unequal?

I believe that Pastor is a calling... a Man must have a Shepherds heart to be an effective Pastor...

I love how the New Testament describes Shepherds... Men who serve to help and lead...

Yet we see from all across the bible belt, how the position of pastor has been defined as a position worthy "of a double portion" due to tradition. It makes me, as Wayne would say, spew chunks when I see some of these Southern men with their starched collars, Caddies in the parking lot, sitting on the platform overlooking their charges. "Humility" and "servant hood" are not words that come to mind when I see them.