The Senior Pastor Is Most Important

[rockytopva]

I believe "Bishop" is the closest term we can come to "Senior Pastor" or basic overseer of the church

1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. - 1 Timothy 3

I do visit a SBC when they have 9AM services... Levels of pastors...

Senior (Lead) Pastor - Who I would refer to as Bishop
Worship Leader
Executive Pastor
Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Care
Young Adult Minister
Kids Ministry Director
Kids Ministry Assistant
Youth Minister
Administration helps

They probably pack in 3,000 in both Sunday services combined. - Northstar Church - Staff Leadership

I would attribute the success of this church to good leadership... All lead by a good senior pastor. I would also imagine the Apostle Paul longing for the fellowship of senior pastors as he would come to town.

 

[rockytopva]

I would also venture to say that any congregation this site deems "Christian" has the ability of producing Bishops, or good senior pastors. A good Bishop is one you can put a great deal of confidence in. It is also important that such people continue in good ethics and integrity...

"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour." Ecclesiastes 10:1

 

[timothyu]

And is also the character of any good follower of Jesus

 

[Servus]

Also needs to be humble, friendly and approachable. Not pompous.

 

[David Lamb]

I believe "Bishop" is the closest term we can come to "Senior Pastor" or basic overseer of the church

1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. - 1 Timothy 3

I do visit a SBC when they have 9AM services... Levels of pastors...

Senior (Lead) Pastor - Who I would refer to as Bishop
Worship Leader
Executive Pastor
Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Care
Young Adult Minister
Kids Ministry Director
Kids Ministry Assistant
Youth Minister
Administration helps

They probably pack in 3,000 in both Sunday services combined. - Northstar Church - Staff Leadership

I would attribute the success of this church to good leadership... All lead by a good senior pastor. I would also imagine the Apostle Paul longing for the fellowship of senior pastors as he would come to town.

The word "bishop" translates the Greek "episkopos", which means "overseer." I don't think it can be like "Senior Pastor", because we read of churches having more than one episkopos:

“Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” (Php 1:1 NKJV)

I don't think somebody involved with the administration of a church (what I would call the church secretary) is a pastor. More likely a deacon. I have never been in a church that has many pastors. One pastor, with his fellow-elders, and deacons. I don't see any biblical authority for the 9 different "levels" of pastor you mention.

As for the success or otherwise of a church, although good, biblical leadership is important, surely success comes from God.

 

[Strong in Him]

The Senior Pastor Is Most Important​

No one is the most important.
The senior pastor has the position of greatest responsibility.

 

[timothyu]

The senior pastor has the position of greatest responsibility.

Yet it is up to the people to monitor. A two way street that keeps things even.

 

[Strong in Him]

Yet it is up to the people to monitor. A two way street that keeps things even.

My point was that the position of senior Pastor, or the equivalent, is one of responsibility, probably given to someone with qualifications and experience.
It doesn't mean that they are the most important - certainly not in God's eyes. What was it Jesus said about those who want to be great, or think that they are?

 

[rockytopva]

My point was that the position of senior Pastor, or the equivalent, is one of responsibility, probably given to someone with qualifications and experience.
It doesn't mean that they are the most important - certainly not in God's eyes. What was it Jesus said about those who want to be great, or think that they are?

But... My goodness... If a good pastor retires and they do not get the right man for the job... A good church can go down quick!

 

[Strong in Him]

But... My goodness... If a good pastor retires and they do not get the right man for the job... A good church can go down quick!

Oh sure - it's important to have a good Pastor.
Sorry, I read the title of the thread as being, "the senior Pastor is the most important person." I once had a Minister who gave the impression that ordination gave him spiritual superiority - ie he was better than most others.

So sorry if I misunderstood.

 

[rockytopva]

Oh sure - it's important to have a good Pastor.
Sorry, I read the title of the thread as being, "the senior Pastor is the most important person." I once had a Minister who gave the impression that ordination gave him spiritual superiority - ie he was better than most others.

So sorry if I misunderstood.

Thanks for your replies! I heard a minister once say... "If your leader does not have any anointing... You won't have any anointing" While preaching on the difference between Saul and David.

Saul - Interested in God... But not overly aggressive
David - Interested in God... And in entering into the battle

An anointed man will be interested in growing a church. An un-anointed man comes across as if he really doesn't care. The pastor of the SBC church took an abandoned school gymnasium and turned it in into a church. It seems like all of Virginia Tech is there on Sunday mornings... All of this church prosperity is the result of a good Senior Pastor who put a lot of care into getting involved and church building.

 

[stevevw]

I think it was Clement and soon after the disciples were mostly gone he says a good bishop is quiet. A man of few words but Christlike example. When they do speak they are believed because the people see in the bishop the Christlike example.

I think to some extent this is true. That they are not full word words and trying to give Ted Talks and woo the audience with wise words. Just a Christlike example and the simple few words of the gospel. The example of goodness and an obedient and subject life speaks much more than words.

 

[Bob Crowley]

I'm Catholic but my wife goes to a Baptist Church. They've been looking for a senior pastor for probably well over a year following the retirement of the previous long serving pastor.

They've got an interim pastor who seems to be doing a pretty good job, but it would appear senior pastors are hard to find.

He's not a one man band though - all the leadership roles are important, along with ordinary lay help. If nobody mows the grass, cleans the church, replaces the flowers and looks after the kitchen, the church will soon decline.

Church administration is vitally important, so it's not all down to the senior pastor.

 

[timothyu]

Guess people treat their churches like a favorite grocery store. They go there but miss out on the idea of communal participation.