I Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.
The problem with ideas being preached as above, is there is error being mixed with Truth. That's why people swallow such abuse of ministry... it's not all error... it's error and truth. It's clearly stated by Paul's writing to the church of Corinth that absolutely we should find those that are leaders in the Lord as they follow Christ, but that concept itself means you must think for yourself as well, otherwise one wouldn't know when the leader ceases to follow Christ.
There is clearly a ministry for Pastors in our lives, to equip us... but not one of lordship over us. Ministers, as all of us in the faith, have been called to be servants along side the laity... not driving the laity.
My pastor absolutely has a role in my life, and I revere and respect him... but to the point of being a dictator... or a controller, is never what God called us as ministers to be.
God says the five fold ministry is there for the perfecting of the saints. That means to equip... I'm not equipping you if I never encourage you to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus and actually try to walk in your relationship with God and make decisions as a result of your growth... on your own. That's not pastoring, that's creating dependency.
I'm saddened, truly saddened when men think pastoring is a power trip... the burden a pastor has should humble them... should make them to walk softly before the Lord as their responsibility is great. It's to raise babes in Christ to maturity in him.. not create mindless, robotic, 30 year old babies who can't even choose what to wear without consulting their preacher.
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