Prominent Memphis Area Pastor Resigns

[TGBTG]

Originally Posted by webe123

Well if you have ever read the book Azusa Street, you would know that yes, SOMETIMES they would have people from the congregation stand up and address the congregation...HOWEVER...even in that kind of atmosphere, the people that spoke were led of the Spirit.

Azusa's decline if I may so say began with the one man show and if you don't see it like I see it, leave. That's what a one man show will always cause anyways.

Remember, the revival was not as a result of a man show, but a group of believers.

Originally Posted by webe123

But as far as "choosing someone from the congregation" for a PASTOR SHIP? That is a bit much, sorry, but it just is.

A bit much?? Well, isn't the pastor applying for the job coming from a particular congregation? So it's okay to have the pastor come from another congregation but not the local one?

We are supposed to make disciples of Christ. If after like 5 or 10 years, the members of congregation cannot help lead the fellowship, wow! something's wrong somewhere.

In 2 Tim 2, Paul told Timothy to teach others who shall be able to teach others also.

2 Tim 2
1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,
2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men[a] who will be able to teach others also.

Something ain't right if after a good number of years, the flock is just expecting another human to come and keep speaking to them every sunday morning.

Originally Posted by webe123

Not everyone can be a pastor, it is a special calling and annointing that God puts on a person, but everyone can be one of Gods messangers or "preachers" in a way.

What scripture do you have for this?

Matter of fact, Paul said "If a man desires the office of an overseer, he desires a good thing..."
So every man can function as an overseer. Of course, the qualifications laid out must also be met.

Originally Posted by webe123

Jesus said: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

That does not mean that he meant everyone should have a shot at pastoring a church. He was speaking more of spreading the Gospel.

Paul said anyone can aspire to be an overseer. They just have to meet the qualifications.
1 Tim 3
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.
2 Therefore an overseer[a] must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,[b] sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Originally Posted by webe123

And for the record....yes.... I agree that there are a lot of saints that need to grow up spiritually and take their place in the church as a mature christian, but pastoring is a totally different story.

But how can the pastor know his saints are even maturing if the saints don't get to share their insights of scripture in the local assembly?

Pastor is a totally different story only because we have unconsciously made it into a stardom

Originally Posted by webe123

And just to get back on topic....how many people have tried out so far?

I think that "number" will grow in size...no matter if it is true or not! It looks better on paper! LOL!

Biblically, trying out should be meeting the qualifications of 1 Tim 3 and then functioning in the capacity of overseer for a while to test them before they are then officially overseers

I am curious how these pastors try out for the position. They come and preach one sermon??