The higher call...

[DamianWarS]

commonly I hear that being a pastor (minister, reverend, priest, etc...) is liken to something refereed to as a "call" from God. These people are called men/women of God and have responded to what is considered a higher call to Christian living and leadership one what that seems to be not shared or at least on a different level than with the common folk sitting in the pews. Your tradition may have it's own slang for such things but regardless of the words you use how does scripture support this perspective?

 

[johnalv]

So true, not saying all don't have that calling when going pastor a church, but like Moses, Elijah, prophets of old time were led by the spirit. It's the end times and all this, the way the system runs and how churches have to do this. They seem to be under mens rules. I've noticed every church weather it is catholic, baptist, witnesses, not-denominational, they all sing, present, preach, sing offering song, stand up, sit down, pass the baskest around. How do we know we are not in the devils system, he was subtle when he decieved Eve. Some people say the bible has been tampered with, which would make sense the saying at end of revalations those that tamper with it and give or take away will be cursed. And He knew that. If we had no bible just like past times, but with all this tech and modern ways, how do you think we could communicate with God and get His word of His son?

 

[pshun2404]

commonly I hear that being a pastor (minister, reverend, priest, etc...) is liken to something refereed to as a "call" from God. These people are called men/women of God and have responded to what is considered a higher call to Christian living and leadership one what that seems to be not shared or at least on a different level than with the common folk sitting in the pews. Your tradition may have it's own slang for such things but regardless of the words you use how does scripture support this perspective?

I think the concept of "higher" is man's spin and I believe it developed from the formation of the hierarchical church politik. The organized post-Constantinian church came to a place where they convinced the Laity that they were the possessors of authority with God and held the true and only valuable interpretation of the word. In time this led to severe Nicolatinism (which Jesus hates) and made the priests and bishops like gods in the eyes of the people.

The scriptures however teach us that a minister is but a servantand any who minister (not necessarily pastors) are hopefully serving others through serving Christ.

This has to do with what is called our gifts and callings (Romans 11:29). We are all members of His body...so some are called to be feet carrying the gospel to many places, or even foundationally supporting the work, others are eyes (watchmen), some are a mouth (preaching and teaching gifts), others are just called to pray. some may have talents developed which make them proficient at Administration or the distribution of goods and services, and so on. All are our callings and He uniquely suits each of us for the role and works He has foreordained for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). These are fruit or works which demonstrate our faith but so not earn any special merit over some other brother or sister. The body requires all its parts functioning properly under His lordship to be what He has intended for the body in the work of bringing about and establishing His kingdom.

When in the Spirit what do you feel moved to do or when speaking to a person or persons what do you feel moved to say (many times things come to me I would never have thought to say but in the end was meaningful for that person like a seed which later bears fruit). So I think this is related to what you were asking/questioning and maybe others can jump in and add.

In His name

Paul

 

[Radagast]

commonly I hear that being a pastor (minister, reverend, priest, etc...) is liken to something refereed to as a "call" from God.

It's completely scriptural to refer to it as a "calling" or "vocation." But there are other "callings" too.

 

[Radagast]

I've noticed every church weather it is catholic, baptist, witnesses, not-denominational, they all sing, present, preach, sing offering song, stand up, sit down, pass the baskest around. How do we know we are not in the devils system

No, we are no in the Devil's system. Singing and preaching (if it is Scriptural) is of God, not of the Devil.

Some people say the bible has been tampered with

Not true.

 

[Albion]

commonly I hear that being a pastor (minister, reverend, priest, etc...) is liken to something refereed to as a "call" from God. These people are called men/women of God and have responded to what is considered a higher call to Christian living and leadership one what that seems to be not shared or at least on a different level than with the common folk sitting in the pews. Your tradition may have it's own slang for such things but regardless of the words you use how does scripture support this perspective?

Having considered it, I don't think our "tradition" does support what you've described. I suspect that there are people in every denomination who make that leap, but not because it's expected or taught.

 

[dennis1777]

Apostle, preist, prophets, teachers and so on are all 'specific' callings. The highest calling is to serve. For he who is the servant of all of you is the greatest among you. All specific calling are modes of service and come with the gifts and graces accordingly. In fact I don't see any problem with the Pope serving tea, or handing out bread to the poor. Nobody is above service for Jesus came not to be served but to serve. Focus on humble service.