Scriptually Where Did Pastoral Authority Come From?

[Felicity]

I've never experienced abuse or been pastored by power hungry pastors. My pastors (as I've stated many times before) were/are all wonderful!! And I thank God for them!

However ...... I have experienced abuse from malevolent power hungry "saints".

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I've never experienced abuse or been pastored by power hungry pastors. My pastors (as I've stated many times before) were/are all wonderful!! And I thank God for them!

However ...... I have experienced abuse from malevolent power hungry "saints".

HERESY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

The Bible states that Jesus told Peter to "feed my sheep". Christ is the shepherd and the Pastor is just a sheepdog.

Blessings, Rhoni

The shepherds of the Middle East do not use dogs. They don't drive the sheep from the back of the flock. Instead a shepherd in that area leads their flock by walking in front of them while speaking or singing to them. Remember, Jesus said that His sheep know His voice? A shepherd (pastor) is to speak the words (bread of Life - the Word of God) that the flock needs to grow by. And, as Paul said: "Follow me as I follow Christ!" So a true Christian leader is one who follows Christ. Such a leader is the only type that should ever be followed. A 'leader' who makes his own way or who drives from the rear is not to be followed.

The position of a true leader is always found at the feet of those they are called to serve. This does not mean that pastors are called to be slaves to all men, but that all that they do, like a servant, is to be filtered through serving the best interests of another, and NOT themselves. This is the way to see if a pastor is following Christ; see if they are more interested in what they can do for the other saint's callings, or if they are more interested in seeing what the other saints can do for their calling. A servant is to serve, and not to be served.

How did Jesus say you'd know His TRUE disciples...? By their Love! Love, not for themselves, but for others. This is no different for a pastor or any of the others in the five-fold ministry.

[Felicity]

Certainly the role of a pastor should be that of servant/leader and as a shepherd he'll lay down his life for the sheep. The good pastors do this.

The law of the harvest comes into play here. You sow servanthood and show respect and honour to the people you serve and you'll reap that from those people -- the most of them anyhow.

But people who have a problem honouring a pastor and begrudge giving respect and honour to the man who sacrificially and faithfully labours and serves the congregation?? They have major issues as far as I'm concerned and need to get right with God.

1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

HERESY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No, TRUTH!!!!!

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by Felicity

1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Is that the operative word?

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by J-Roc

Is that the operative word?

Well it's an important word but what "well" means to you and what it means to someone else could be quite different.

Not all pastors lead the same way. There are different styles, different temperaments, different ways of managing and organizing, different emphases, etc.

All my pastors were wonderful, as far as I was concerned but they all had different ways and styles of leadership.

However, they each one were certainly worthy of "double honour".

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by SecretWarrior

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?

1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

The Greek word for "rule" is proïstēmi and according to the info I have is translated .......


1) to set or place before

a) to set over

b) to be over, to superintend, preside over

c) to be a protector or guardian

1) to give aid

d) to care for, give attention to

1) profess honest occupations

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Well it's an important word but what "well" means to you and what it means to someone else could be quite different.

Not all pastors lead the same way. There are different styles, different temperaments, different ways of managing and organizing, different emphases, etc.

All my pastors were wonderful, as far as I was concerned but they all had different ways and styles of leadership.

However, they each one were certainly worthy of "double honour".

Another thing to consider is that this "double honor" appears to be referring to $$$$$ considering its following verse and not respect as I think you are suggesting...in context, it is plausible to say it was referring to money.

verse 18 reads: "For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

The Bible states that Jesus told Peter to "feed my sheep". Christ is the shepherd and the Pastor is just a sheepdog.

Blessings, Rhoni

Christ is the GREAT Shepherd, but this is no way makes a pastor a "sheepdog."