Pastors from within

[ghs1994]

as someone who aspires to the office of pastor - i was wondering the opinion from those who visit this particular thread.

i posted this over in youth ministry also......but want the opinions in here also.

if a church has someone in their membership who aspires to be a pastor - would your church consider bringing him on if the opportunity presented itself?

i know there is the "prophet has no honor in his own town" mentality, but i guess it seems like a natural transition if the church already knows the man and his family and how the church operates (those of you who are pastors know what i mean). if he is respected and meets the criteria of 1 tim 3 and titus, i wonder why churches go elsewhere to find pastors - other than if no one in their congregation fits the criteria or does not aspire the office.

what do you all think?

 

[vespasia]

It would depend on many things.

Was there evidence of 'godly' living in their life not simply from their lips, what reputation they considered to have within their church, do they display the mix of gifts and talents that would enable them to become a good caring pastor or are their mix of talents and gifts better suited to a different kind of serving.

The best thing to do is to begin to talk with those who already hold leadership (in the scriptural sense as opposed to a mere job title) within your church.

There can be many reasons to seek a pastor from outside as well as for God to raise one from within. A pastor is first and foremost a servant who is called to rather than seeks to lead.

 

[ghs1994]

it just seems that the normal way of doing things in a church in america is to seek a pastor from outside the ranks. one who has received a seminary degree. i know this is not all the cases, but it is the majority of them.

the desire or aspiration seems to be a part of someone becoming a pastor according to 1 timothy 3:1. i guess i should try and find a passage that gives evidence to this calling. maybe you could share that with me. thanks.

 

[vespasia]

I guess that its important for the church to be clear in how it is using the label 'pastor' and for those considering working there as pastors to measure this against their own understanding of 'pastor'.

I train at a seminary to compliment the qualifications that I already have, the thought of someone trying to shoulder the burden of responsibilities without any level of higher educational input and chance to reflect with those who have worked in the field and leant to use theology practically is somewhat sobering. Those are the folk who are at far greater risk of burn out or unintentional injury of the people they are meant to 'care' for. Training doe snot prevent this but it does give you tools to help you to cope.
I have no desire to be an elder but God when He does call is rather hard to ignore. I may be a woman but this was the criteria I was still expected to meet and my husband had to be considered worthy of respect. I consider 1 Tim 3 be a good rule of thumb for character that indicates a person who could cope but this also needs to be tested.

Do they have skills, gifts and talents that would allow them to survive as a pastor. Its not a fluffy cute or cuddly option.
Do they have leadership ability.

It is not what we say about ourselves that matters ; it is what others have to say about us. Does what they say measure against the above quoted scripture. Do they demonstrate the GOOD gifts of Galations 5 in how they live their lives.

How do those who are not Christian's view them for they can spot a veneer of Christian respectability form the real thing.

When God does call he confirms his call. It comes through scripture, form other Christians and it can also come from those who have not meet you or are not Christians.
Gather such pieces together until you have enough 'God incidences' to see a direction a pattern and when you have those go to your church leadership and ask them to test a possible call with you.

 

[Always in His Presence]

as someone who aspires to the office of pastor - i was wondering the opinion from those who visit this particular thread.

i posted this over in youth ministry also......but want the opinions in here also.

if a church has someone in their membership who aspires to be a pastor - would your church consider bringing him on if the opportunity presented itself?

what do you all think?

The gift makes room for itself.

I have been part of Pastoral Staff for close to 2 decades, and have had the honor to teach future ministers.

Faithfulness - nothing takes the place of faithfulness. The role of a pastor is seen before a title or office is ever conferred on a person.

I began my pastoral ministry by volunteering at my church cutting lawns and the floors so they didn't have to pay someone to do it.

Get involved - be led - look for the opportunity to serve others and the title will catch up with you.

 

[calluna]

as someone who aspires to the office of pastor

Office? Where does that idea come from?

 

[DeaconDean]

Office? Where does that idea come from?

From the scriptures!

"This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." -1 Tim. 3:1 (KJV)

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Rev.Ozzie]

You bring up a very interesting point. I have been in the ministry 35 years and have seen churches that I know had they "promoted" within would not have closed their doors. However to the shame of the church there was no trainning offered. Also I have had churches that seem to follow the "sports" world in saying "if we get someone new in here" without thinking about the vision that started the church in the first place. I do know of one church that did promote from within and it was very successful to the point they built new facilities and started a school for trainning. I have nothing against formal education,I went to Bible College myself,however I remember that most churches were not started by scholars but by men and women called right off of the farm,God blessed their efforts and the churches grew.Maybe we all need to return to that kind of faith in those who God calls.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

as someone who aspires to the office of pastor - i was wondering the opinion from those who visit this particular thread.

i posted this over in youth ministry also......but want the opinions in here also.

if a church has someone in their membership who aspires to be a pastor - would your church consider bringing him on if the opportunity presented itself?

i know there is the "prophet has no honor in his own town" mentality, but i guess it seems like a natural transition if the church already knows the man and his family and how the church operates (those of you who are pastors know what i mean). if he is respected and meets the criteria of 1 tim 3 and titus, i wonder why churches go elsewhere to find pastors - other than if no one in their congregation fits the criteria or does not aspire the office.

what do you all think?

That's kind of what happened to me and the man I co-pastor with.

We were both members who became elders and were asked to become pastors.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

You bring up a very interesting point. I have been in the ministry 35 years and have seen churches that I know had they "promoted" within would not have closed their doors. However to the shame of the church there was no trainning offered.

We do. We're very serious about training in different aspects of ministry. We have a man now who we're mentoring, who hopefully, will become a pastor. We've turned out several evangelists and some really fine teachers.

Also I have had churches that seem to follow the "sports" world in saying "if we get someone new in here" without thinking about the vision that started the church in the first place.

I've seen that, too. I really don't believe your average church member understands just how much responsibility for the ministry of the church is placed on him and not on the pastor.

I do know of one church that did promote from within and it was very successful to the point they built new facilities and started a school for trainning. I have nothing against formal education,I went to Bible College myself,however I remember that most churches were not started by scholars but by men and women called right off of the farm,God blessed their efforts and the churches grew.Maybe we all need to return to that kind of faith in those who God calls.

Well, we do have a small, unacredited Bible school.

But as for your second point, I was a social worker in the poorest hills and hollers of Appalachia many years ago, and I met men there, some who had never gotten past the fifth grade who were some of the Godliest men and most powerful preachers of the word of God I've ever heard.

I believe very strongly in education, but I think of these uneducated men and I know a lot of MDiv's who could learn a lot from them.