Personal conviction inlight of pastoral authority
 

I was wondering what the bible might say about personal convictions and daily devotions inlight of pastoral authority?When we are told in the bible to follow the guidance of the under sherpards(home pastor) how is devotions and convictions applyed to our life inlight of pastoral authority?

Re: Personal conviction inlight of pastoral author
 

You would first have to show where scripture explicitly tell sone WHAT a Pastor's authority is. That would be a great place to start.

Re: Personal conviction inlight of pastoral author
 

Pastoral positions were respected in the day when the common man could not read the bible. Most people depended on the pastor because he was an educated man when most in the church only had a fifth grade education if that much.

As time pressed on Pastoral positioning became popular by degree of educational status and also by popular attraction to personality.
The preachers who could preach the best entertaining sermons were the most famous to be followed. In other areas the pastor if he had a masters degree in all the social necessities of life then again he was followed by many.

As this process progressed people then became more attracted to the man instead of Jesus. As a result they followed a teaching instead of seeking the truth.

Now let me clarify, I do believe in the pastoral position in the assemblies of God.

During the time of this pastoral movement not all pastors fell into this category of men. Some of the pastors were called out by the Holy Spirit to be ministers unto the people and lead them in the truths of the Lord as well as direct them into the ways that Jesus would have us go.

As time now has moved on and there are so many educated people and also so many people who are segregated in their thoughts and ideas on Christianity and the bible we are now seeing movements and groups different from what the normal way has been for many years.

As a result of this new movement/ which is not anything new/ we are noticing that some people don't respect the position of the pastor in the assembly[ church]. Numerous comments to this have been made here in this forum as well as others on this subject matter, expressing freedom from control and reflection on independence from the guidance of the pastor position.

In the bible it clearly tells us in the book of Corinthians of the appointments of God in the assemblies of God in this earth. Since Jesus is the head of the assemblies and he does not change, then one may assume that the appointments have not changed.

Re: Personal conviction inlight of pastoral author
 

I don't think anyone would realistically argue that the position of a Pastor isn't "appointed" or biblical. The issue as always is simply WHERE is that position outlined? Where is the job description? Without a clear description of what a Pastor is really supposed to do, you get everything from the wishy washy to the control hungry dictators.

If Chrsitianity and it's scholars could actually DEFINE what a Pastor is and is supposed ot do scripturally then it woul eliminate a lot of these issues. Unfortunately, I fear many don't actually want it to be defined because a definition is also a limitation and some ENJOY being able to do whatever they want and hide behind the title of Pastor.

Re: Personal conviction inlight of pastoral author
 

We are to follow men as they follow God.
We are to study and pray and find conviction in our own hearts, and be assured in our own hearts of the leading of the Spirit.

Re: Personal conviction inlight of pastoral author
 

Explain this example. Brother or sister Y gets convicted on _________ but pastor does not see it the same way. Are we to except the pastors guidance or agree to disagree and pray that they see the light too? Also should the church always line up to the pastor or is it possible that the saint could get insite that the pastor is not taking into account leadership that is staying in the word and not following after doctrines of mammon

Re: Personal conviction inlight of pastoral author
 

Well, is the issue that the saints conviction goes above and beyond what the pastor has set forth in the rule book or the other way around? In the first case, I cannot think of a situation where the pastor didn't tell someone to keep doing what they think is right IF it is stricter then he himself would make it. On the other hand if a saints are NOT convicted in the same way that the pastor says he is, then they (the saints) are usually made to line up.

Now in rare cases they CAN butt heads. As you know there are some pastors who are dead set against wedding rings and push that view point. I on the other hand simply will not take it off since I consider it a representation of our marriage and view marriage as a deeper institution (MUCH deeper) that any sort of relationship between a pastor and saint.

Re: Personal conviction inlight of pastoral author
 

Get a second opinion from another pastor...lol

On a serious note though, pastors do not fall down from heaven. The pastor was not born a pastor. He was and is still a regular brother. The day he is ordained as a pastor does not mean from that day, he is infallible.

I believe a real pastor should be able to agree to disagree with other brethren in love.

1 Peter 5
2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers— not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;
3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Re: Personal conviction inlight of pastoral author
 

So I guess we are to follow the stand of the pastor and keep anything above the stand the pastor makes personal and not to force the idea to other. Just explain the stand the church has made and that on a personal level you felt to go higher then expected by the pastor.

Re: Personal conviction inlight of pastoral author
 

We should follow the stance of the bible...
The pastor should teach the stance of the bible and not his own personal opinion

What do you mean by going higher?