The dangers of not having a Pastor in your Life...

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by jaamez

Agreed. That is why I was careful to note that WE DO NEED PASTORS. I love mine. I love the leadership that God has placed in His church. I think I may have been in error to not head-on address the comment about "independence." We're not islands and I don't believe we'll make it if we keep our "independence" to the point where we are not in fellowship with the body.

I'm not diminishing their role - at least not the role that Scripture gives them. But a pastor's role is NOT as a mediator between God and me. That's an abominable theology/tradition that is inherited from Roman Catholicism, and they inherited it from the OT. You simply do not find that example in the New Testament. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" 1 Timothy 2.5. ANYONE, regardless of how well-intentioned he or she may be, who assays to step into that role is in error. A pastor should offer direction and correction with love from the Word of God, but so far as "hearing from God" on someone's behalf... well, that's just not scriptural. That makes for weak and lazy saints, and promotes the whole separation of classes within the church (ministry/laity).

I think I agree with you here. I do not think they have the role of shepard - that role belongs to Christ. The role of the Pastor is to feed the sheep - teach them the word and it is up the the individual to apply it - not have it shoved down their throats. It isn't the pastor's role to get enmeshed/triangulated into family matters either. JMHO,
Rhoni

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by revrandy

Me too....

A Good Pastor is a great benefit in a world where it's getting harder and more difficult to find good folks....

except on here of course....

AMEN! I appreciate you, Bro. Randy! I'm sure you're a wonderful pastor with a servant's heart and the mind of Christ. God bless you.

I apologize if some of my comments have sounded like I was "pastor-bashing" or disagreeing that we DO NEED pastors. I recognize and appreciate that the church needs the gifts of leadership that the Lord gave us - some apostles, some prophets, some pastors, evangelists and teachers.

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

I think I agree with you here. I do not think they have the role of shepard - that role belongs to Christ. The role of the Pastor is to feed the sheep - teach them the word and it is up the the individual to apply it - not have it shoved down their throats. It isn't the pastor's role to get enmeshed/triangulated into family matters either. JMHO,
Rhoni

Good point, Rhoni, and I agree. I agree that "the Lord is my Shepherd" and I'm well taken care of because of that. I only said "shepherd" because of the Greek word used being POIMEN, which could be translated as either shepherd or pastor. In the context below, a pastor could be referred to as a shepherd as well, though I do see and agree with your point.

The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were:
- to feed the sheep
- to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep
- to defend the sheep from attackers
- to heal the wounded and sick sheep
- to find and save lost or trapped sheep

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by jaamez

Good point, Rhoni, and I agree. I agree that "the Lord is my Shepherd" and I'm well taken care of because of that. I only said "shepherd" because of the Greek word used being POIMEN, which could be translated as either shepherd or pastor. In the context below, a pastor could be referred to as a shepherd as well, though I do see and agree with your point.

The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were:
- to feed the sheep
- to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep
- to defend the sheep from attackers
- to heal the wounded and sick sheep
- to find and save lost or trapped sheep

Absolutely. I think according to scripture that many of those things are all of our responsibilities also, example:

- to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep
- to defend the sheep from attackers
- to heal the wounded and sick sheep
- to find and save lost or trapped sheep

Blessings, Rhoni