Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
I have come to believe that ordination in an "organization" is a method in which to control the ministry and build up a human institution. In the Bible local assemblies ordained their elders as necessary. Assemblies were smaller, met in homes, and they were largely governed by more than one elder. No paperwork was required, an anointing from God that was evident to the congregation was all that was necessary.
Of course, I'm jaded. I've come to not trust organized religion. I lean far more toward house churching and open, localized, and participatory leadership.
I don't see pastoring, evangelist, etc. as being "offices" but rather "ministries". One called to "pastor" is called to mentor and shepherd the flock. One need not have an office with their name on it, a wooden pulpit, a building, or anything of that nature to "pastor". In fact, most churches today have holy men of God who "shepherd" the believers though they don't hold an official office in the church. These are operating in pastoral ministry.
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And... even then... ordination was simply a word that meant... appointed.
They appointed pastors, elders etc as needed rather than (queue angelic choir) ordain (cut angelic choir) them in the sense it is viewed in today.