The role the modern pastor, priest, clergy, Bishop etc. takes over all is an exalted role and unbiblical. Just read some of the man made constitutional by-laws and see who the entire ministry is. Its this one man called the "pastor" or "priest". I posted some things about this already.
Plurality of elders in every church is the biblical order and model we see in scripture, never a one man pastor over all in the New Testament. Unless you are saying Jesus is the one man over all. He alone is the head of the church as scripture clearly says.
These are just a small sample of the kind of
false authority that can come from such a role over all. The Popes and priest over all can also have such misguided dominion over others.
Plurality of elder in every church is the biblical order and model we see in scripture, never a one man pastor over all in the New testament. Unless you are saying Jesus is the one man over all. He alone is the head of the church as scripture clearly says.
I think most of the so called Priest or pastors tend to be in a role that exalts them. Even if they are humble men this can be tempting. And I believe most of the assemblies look at these men as supreme in authority over them and in dominion over them and in control of them. Some of them call themselves "masters" of divinity. But Jesus said call no man master or father. He said this for a good reason.
Jesus Christ alone is the head of the church, not man. And all believers area royal priesthood, not a special priest over all like OT priesthood.
Here is a sample of an Eastern Orthodox man made By-Law and this is not scriptural , even the idea of making laws for such things is not.
"
ARTICLE III — PARISH
In accordance with the teachings of the Orthodox Church, the Bishop is the Diocesan Authority and the head of this Parish and its Parish Priest and all the Parishes which constitute his diocese. He appoints this Parish's clergy, maintaining with them a relationship that is at once hierarchical and conciliar, marked by obedience and collaboration. He has the obligation and right of visitation to the parish and receives and approves regular reports on parish life. In case of conflict and disorder within the Parish, he takes all necessary measures to resolve them consistent with the Sacred Canons and the Statute.
This Parish, having been established by decision of the Diocesan Bishop, is a local Orthodox Eucharistic community with a vision for proclaiming the Kingdom of God and making its healing presence felt in the world, having as its head a duly appointed Parish Priest and consisting of Orthodox Christians who live in accordance with the teachings of the Orthodox Church, comply with the discipline and rules of the Church and regularly support their Parish. Being subordinate to the Diocesan Authority, it is a component part of the Diocese (Article VII, the Statute) and a component part of the Deanery and subordinate to the District Dean (Article XI, the Statute).
"
ARTICLE IV — PARISH PRIEST
The Parish Priest, also referred to as rector or priest-in-charge, by virtue of his ordination and canonical appointment, serves as the spiritual father and teacher of that portion of the flock of Christ entrusted to him, the first among the Parish clergy, and presides over liturgical worship in accordance with the tradition and the norms of the Church.
By virtue of the authority delegated to him at his appointment by the Diocesan Bishop, the Parish Priest, as head of the parish, shall:
i Teach, exhort, and edify the faithful entrusted to his spiritual care with compassion to enable them to grow in sanctification and maturity in the faith;
ii Provide for the administration of the sacraments and the celebration of all liturgical services;
iii Ensure that all activities including educational, evangelistic, philanthropic, social, and cultural activities within the Parish or of the Parish are consistent with the compassionate and ‘myrrh-bearing’ mission of the Church;
iv Head and administer the Parish consistent with the provisions of the Statute, the governing documents of the Diocese and Parish, and the directives of the Diocesan Authority in cooperation with the Parish Council. No activities in the Parish can be initiated without his knowledge, approval, and blessing; neither should he do anything pertaining to the Parish without the knowledge of the appropriate Parish bodies, so that always and everywhere there may be mutual trust, cooperation, unity, and love, thus endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4.3);
v Normally preside over the Parish Assembly and Parish Council, except in cases when the Bishop is present or when the Bishop’s delegate is present for this purpose;
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vi Head the Parish office and be entrusted with the care, custody, and maintenance of sacramental and administrative records, inventories, and the official Parish seal; and
vii Represent the Parish before local civil and judicial authorities and other third parties, either personally or through his delegate.
The Parish Priest shall be at liberty to be present at all Parish meetings, councils, groups, and gatherings. He is a Voting Member in good standing, a member of Parish Council and all other councils, groups and gatherings ex officio ecclesiae.
The Parish shall compensate the Parish Priest. His compensation shall be determined according to established diocesan procedures and norms. His compensation is to be clearly agreed upon prior to his appointment.
The Parish Priest possesses the rights and exercises the responsibilities stipulated by the Sacred Canons, the Statute, and the directives of the Holy Synod and the Diocesan Authority.
The Parish Priest cannot vacate his Parish, change his status, or seek to transfer to another parish or Diocese without the permission of the Bishop. "
ARTICLE VIII — PARISH ASSEMBLY
..."Since it is the sacred duty of the Parish Priest to guide the whole life and all activities of the Parish for which he is responsible before God:"
(https://www.myrrhbearers.ca/sites/default/files/Parish Bylaws.pdf)
Im not sure if this is similar to your assembly laws. If not show me where I can see the so called "By-Laws" of your assembly of the "Eastern orthodox church"
Such
"By-Laws" I believe are
unbiblical in many parts. I could spend hours exposing so much of this as against the order and functioning of the church and the commands of Jesus. Maybe I will do this soon,Lord willing.
I am sure that if I were to watch your order and listen and see how you gather and function. You would be similar to many and if not worse than some in your order.
The body ministry would be almost nil and non functioning on a Sunday gathering. According to scripture every part of the body can minister and be led by God in any gift he has given in the function he has given them when they come together. I could quote many of the commands of God for this order. It is the opposite of mans order that quenches the spirit and sets up exalted men in control and dominion over others with a false authority.
I could ask you, when you come together can anyone at any time have something from God and be encouraged by scripture and the Spirit of God to share it? Or does your assembly order go something like this,
The people walk into a large man made building decorated with a steeple or two unbiblicaly called "the church". There is a sign on the lawn with a name on it. They come in and sit or stand and there. Someone might give you a program and the entire order is preplanned sometimes to the minute leaving no room at all for body ministry in the spirit. There may be two or three or more songs on the program then may be an announcement and scripture reading by the clergy and a liturgy and sermon from the text. There e will be sacramental things done with the Eucharist and communion, perhaps, then maybe an announcement and they all leave and shake the hand of the Priest who was in total control of the entire gathering. And all the time there are icon pictures surrounding the people that they can look at at any time during the man made forms and rituals.
I ask,
where is Jesus in such an order? Is Jesus and the leading of the Spirit on the program?. Is he outside knocking wanting to come in and sup with all and to participate with all?
Where is every one who gathers on the program? Are they able to have a slam a doctrine a revelation, a tongue a prophecy a word of wisdom or knowledge? Are the apostles prophets evangelist, pastors and teachers able to freely use their gifts at any time as they are led by God and commanded to be free to do when gathered? or would they be carried out by someone called an "usher"?
Scripture rebukes and warns against such a man made gathering and shows the true order in the spirit and as led By God
(1 Cor 14:26-38, 1 Peter 4:101,11, Colossians 2:8,9, Colossians 3:15,16, Ephesians 4;11-16, 1 Thess 5:11, 1 Cor 12:7 and on, Romans 12;1-8 etc etc)
This is the big issue.
The
man-made order which puts men in control others and you are saying they need man and this order to function. But Paul spoke of the order of God and it is a spiritual order as led by God in every believer. Only God can give men gifts and only God works in every believer to make them perfect unto every good work (Hebrews 13:2-0,21) . Paul says that all things should be done decently and in
order. But this order was not mans order. One time Paul said he beheld another church order in the spirit even though he wasn't there physically.
What you and many say to try and keep this order of man is that you need a man to CONTROL all things in the assembly. This is exactly what the so called By-Laws and constitutions say. They call him the head of the church and the clergy in charge and he control every thing and everyone. He alone is allowed the freedom to minister and speak and use any gifts he might think he has.
But all are free to function as God leads at any time and as Christ works in each of them effectually they are able to edify (build up as a house builder) one another. This is how Jesus Christ builds His church. Not the way you and many others try to hinder it.Yes there are many godly people in such places. Thats not the issue. Even more so they should be warned and encouraged to follow after Christ leading and be led by the Spirit.
John warned of men who would act as if all needed them and to hear them rather than listening for God and the anointing.
consider
"6 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."( 1 John 2:26,27 KJV)