If you became a pastor...

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by mfblume

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

And Mizpeh wept.

[MarkBelosa]

Originally Posted by Esaias

...what would you do to fulfill your obligation to teach the church? How would you go about it? Would you begin a series? Start teaching scripture at some book and continue through chapter by chapter? Buy one of the sermon books sold by PPH?

I would assess the needs of the congregation (of course, with much prayer) and then design a curriculum for them. Not everyone is on the same journey or has the same level of maturity so it's going to be a bit of a challenge if you have a large congregation and you only meet twice a week to study the Word.

I think it's important to teach the church how to study the scriptures for themselves and I believe we need to use a variety of methods to make sure that we preach and teach the whole counsel of God.

If I became a pastor, on my first year I would work on:
1. Training someone to teach a New Converts Class to cover essential doctrines and topics.
2. Teaching a series on How to Read and Study the Bible and then dividing the church in smaller groups. This will encourage more active participation and may probably help address specific questions and needs that may not be addressed through preaching or teaching in a classroom format.
3. Creating an online forum where members can freely ask questions :-)
4. Designing Bible reading plans for members and providing study helps; then touch base with them once a week or get them to post their progress on the online forum. :-)

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I don't believe women are called to govern in leadership, so a woman pastor in the traditional understanding that we see the role of a pastor today is unbiblical, in my opinion.

However I do believe women are called to preach and share the gospel, and to teach, and to minister in gifts of the spirit. As a woman disciple of Christ, if I were to engage in preaching the gospel to a crowd of people, it would be under the authority of my husband, and my ministry would be focused to lead and encourage other women.

The reason I believe this is because of the relationship of Christ and the church. Christ being the head, and the church being the body. I believe Paul in 1 Cor. 11 is teaching that as Christ is the head of the church, so the man is the head of the woman. The church never dictates to Christ what to do, so the woman should never dictate to the man - her husband - what to do... however, there is a teamship, and a loving relationship that takes place when each fulfills their duties to each other that allows much to be accomplished. It is in this way I understand as a woman I can minister to the church, and I can teach and/or preach the gospel, but when it comes to leading, and government, that is the role of the man.

I suppose I could also say... let the fireworks begin... but after much prayer and study, I believe that a woman's role in the church is not in government/leadership positions, but to be a helpmate, and support to her husband, keeping in mind the Christ/church relationship.

Good insight.