Respect For The Ministry

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

WOW!

My Pastor just spoke about this on Sunday morning.


A point he made that I think often too many people forget is that our respect for our Pastors, Prophets, etc is not to be oriented towards the person, but towards the office itself.

"Do you have a man of God in your life? Really?"


The words and advice of my Pastor are not to be taken lightly, and not to be taken on the same level as my friends. It's called respect for the office and the offices that God has ordained are actually referred to as "gifts" from God.

We should "mark those who labor among us" and respect the office that they hold. These offices are gifts from God.

Your Pastor basically preached a message about how he needs to get more respect?

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Your Pastor basically preached a message about how he needs to get more respect?

His point is that it is dangerous to live your life as a Christian without a "man of God" in your life.

He gave an anecdote of parents who run the preacher down in their homes behind closed doors, in front of their children-- eliminating the possibility of there being a positive influence of the man of God on the children when the time comes for someone other than the parents to reach them (crisis, rebellion, etc).

That was only one anecdote.


We all need a "man of God" in our lives and we should respect him a little higher than the masses of others who are in our lives.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

His point is that it is dangerous to live your life as a Christian without a "man of God" in your life.

He gave an anecdote of parents who run the preacher down in their homes behind closed doors, in front of their children-- eliminating the possibility of there being a positive influence of the man of God on the children when the time comes for someone other than the parents to reach them (crisis, rebellion, etc).

That was only one anecdote.


We all need a "man of God" in our lives and we should respect him a little higher than the masses of others who are in our lives.

But should we run anyone down behind closed doors with our children? What does that teach them about the Body of Christ?

The elevated view of elders that teach/preach goes beyond the Scripture. This idea of everyone having a "man of God" in their life is a little skewed, and it's always built on the premise of a single-pastor system. "Your Moses"

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

How do you feel about ministers? Are they special people called of God who deserve special treatment and respect or are they equals to brethren? I'm thinking of the time when there were kings. People had to bow and say your majesty or your eminence to the priests. How would you treat royalty? I'm also thinking of someone like Lee Stoneking. Does he deserve to be treated with respect because he is a minister? Do we have the right to criticize his beliefs if we don't agree?

All true ministers should be treated with honor. All that a minister teaches should be squared with Scripture. Phonies and quacks who are just out to use religion to get rich should be rejected.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Socialite

But should we run anyone down behind closed doors with our children? What does that teach them about the Body of Christ?

The elevated view of elders that teach/preach goes beyond the Scripture. This idea of everyone having a "man of God" in their life is a little skewed, and it's always built on the premise of a single-pastor system. "Your Moses"

I disagree.

I think it is scripturally sound to have and show more respect to the OFFICE of the Pastor, Prophet, and etc.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I disagree.

I think it is scripturally sound to have and show more respect to the OFFICE of the Pastor, Prophet, and etc.

It's interesting that you refer to the "office" of the pastor, more than the gifting.

Read my original post on here. I think it says ministers, and those who labor in preaching/teaching, are worthy of a special honoring and respect. But it's most beautiful when the minister is wearing a towel, serving the flock, not perched atop the ol' wall, but right among the sheep. When that happens, a minister rarely has to sermonize an argument for people to give them know respect (hearing Rodney Dangerfield here for some reason).

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Socialite

It's interesting that you refer to the "office" of the pastor, more than the gifting.

Read my original post on here.

You said:

There most certainly is a respect worthy of those who especially labor in pastoring and feeding the flock.

However, respect does not mean an iron curtain, or that they become an Untouchable from accountability, feedback, criticism, etc. They are serving the flocking of God. Part of serving is listening.

I agree with this, 100%



You also said:

The elevated view of elders that teach/preach goes beyond the Scripture.

I disagree with this.



I referred to the office of the Pastor as a gift from God.

My emphasis on the office is an attempt to steer away from emphasizing on the person who holds that office.

The elevated view of elders that teach/preach is codified by scripture.

[Thinker]

i like the way Jesus pastored

,

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

You said:

There most certainly is a respect worthy of those who especially labor in pastoring and feeding the flock.

However, respect does not mean an iron curtain, or that they become an Untouchable from accountability, feedback, criticism, etc. They are serving the flocking of God. Part of serving is listening.

I agree with this, 100%



You also said:

The elevated view of elders that teach/preach goes beyond the Scripture.

I disagree with this.



I referred to the office of the Pastor as a gift from God.

My emphasis on the office is an attempt to steer away from emphasizing on the person who holds that office.

The elevated view of elders that teach/preach is codified by scripture.

Don't forget the evangelist, teacher, prophet and apostle

While I understand the use of "office," and use it myself, we should steer clear of the idea that they are "elected" to this office by the Holy Spirit, and exempt from accountability to the Body who can remove this person from serving in that capacity.

There is an inflated view of pastoring ministers in Pentecostal circles. This isn't something new and unheard of. Most of this is why there are so many unbiblical practices and traditions. They rely on their "authority" to do these things.

[Jermyn Davidson]

The Bible codifies the elevated view of the offices.

The offices are occupied by men.

Is it possible to respect the office your Pastor holds and still disrespect your Pastor as a person?