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The Pastor King
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#1 *
4th November 2005, 02:30 PM
TrueWords
Regular Member
Reputation: 294
Health: 100%
Blessings: 1,294
Posts: 249
The Pastor King
hello all,
I write this in love and hope. I pray tht thos who are in one of the five fold ministry called "pastors' will consider this also. I do believe in biblical pastors. but much of what we call the pastors role today is not biblical.lease have patience with me and I would love to hear your response. This comes out of many years of learning from the Lord on these things.
THE PASTOR KING
There is a man today who is exalted above all others as he stands on top a large platform in certain gatherings. He is the one who dominates most of the speaking week after week. Often he has a special chair reserved for him, usually on the stage, and no one is allowed to sit there but him. He generally rules in a large castle-like structure with lower ranked servants under him and has a sign outside with his name on it. Usually he is the only on who greets people at the door with a handshake as they leave the show. Many flattering titles are given to him such as, "Reverend" "Master of Divinity", or "President", and he uses expressions such as "My church" or "My people".
Almost all of the activities in the gatherings are controlled by him, and no one is permitted to speak or minister unless he allows it. But, there is rarely
opportunity for anyone else to minister as Christ leads, for they are not on the man made programs. Many dangerously look to this one man alone for all their spiritual guidance in the gatherings, rather than wait on God.
The position that he holds is unbiblical, but sadly, the people love to have it so. This man is known today as "THE PASTOR", and he reigns as a king over the body of Christ. His position as head can usurp the headship of Christ in the meetings and hinder the priesthood of all believers. These things are serious and should not be taken lightly as I fear many will do. Paul warned us of such things and said, "Beware, lest any man spoil you" Col. 2:8. The word"spoil" means," to rob you of your goods".
Though there are blessed pastor giftings in the body of Christ, and they may be loving christians; the dominant role of THE Pastor today does not exist biblically and is quite different. This Pope-like figure comes out of the worldly traditions of men, a false Roman Catholic heirarcy and misunderstanding of Christ headship in the body ministry.
His very function often quenches the Spirit in the rest of the body from edifying one another and from waiting on Christ leading to minister. And sadly, the system he rules in can create a weak, dysfunctional, pew warming body that plays church. I write this in love to your soul.
Give Us A King
There is a story in the bible where God's people said "Give us a King, to judge us" (1 Samuel 8:6). But God was already leading them by His Spirit and through the prophets. When they wanted a king over them, God allowed it, but told Samuel, "they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them" (1 Samuel 8:7). God also told Samuel to warn them that the king would bring them into bondage, take their goods and use them for his glory (1 Samuel 8:11-19).
Similarly today, we almost hear the people cry, "Give us a pastor king", especially when they are between pastors and think they need another. But by doing so, they may be rejecting God from reigning over them. And if a devil gets into the pulpit, he would bind the whole assembly. "Beware", this is a very real danger today.
Who is to lead?
The bible teaches that Christ is to lead in every part of the body. He leads as the head, "From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16). Notice, that through Christ headship the whole body can edify itself, and not just rely on one man. This should be allowed to happen every time the saints gather in Christ and wait on Him; then we will see the Lord manifest himself in fullness in the body and not just in one pastor.
When was the last time you waited for Christ to lead you in the gatherings to love and edify your brethren. The New Testament clearly teaches us that all are allowed to lead in this way, as God leads us.
When the church comes together any person sitting by can have something revealed to them and they are allowed to share it (1 Cor.14:30). They can also have a psalm, a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation an interpretation, (1 Cor.14:26); edify one another (1 Thess. 5:11); use all their giftings as they wait on God (Romans 12:1-10); have a spiritual manifestation to profit all (1 Cor 12:7); admonish one another (Romans15:14); teach one another (Colossians 3:16); exhort one another, (Hebrews 3:13); warn unruly (1Thess. 5:14); confess their faults one to one another (James 5:16); anoint the sick (James 5:14); comfort one another (1 Thess. 5:11a); prophesy to one another (1 Cor. 14:31); discipline erring brethren (1 Cor5:3-5, 6:1-6); pray for one another (James 5:?); lead in prayer and song (1 Cor. 14:15); have a psalm hymn or spiritual song (Col. 3:16); any man can speak or minister as God leads (1 Peter 4:10,11); and basically have the same care one for another (1 Cor. 12:25); and serve one another (Galatians 5:13). We must follow after Christ who will lead us in this way, and not follow after man-made programs and dead rituals that quench the Spirit.
The New Testament teaches mutual edification by all as we wait on God. Never do we see a one man pastor role controlling and dominating over everyone, except in the negative, with men like Diotrephes in the bible, who loved to have the preeminence among them, and did not receive the brethren and cast some out of the gatherings (3 John 9). John said don't follow such men .
Sadly, the one man pastor today has such unbiblical pressure put on him to perform and satisfy the crowds, that if he doesn't, he may be removed, or the people may run after the intense competition from many other superstar ministers; who are ever willing to draw away disciples after themselves.
Much of the pastors role today, becomes a need for him to promote his position and to control and feed everyone. It becomes a conglomerate of man-made programs, tight time schedules, entertainment, business meetings, board meetings, strategic planning, marketing strategies, growth seminars and showmanship; it is very troubling. What, with all the money dealings for building projects, salaries, and self promotion; much of the church begins to look like a dead corporation of men with the pastor as head and president, rather than the body of Christ edifying themselves with Christ leading as head. Is Christ outside knocking, while men run after the superstars and the one man show? "Beware"!
God Gives Ministering Elders
God also raises up men as elders, who should all able to serve, and feed the flock, but he is against those who lord over the saints and hinder Christ working in the body.
Paul exhorted Titus to ordained elders "in every church"(Acts 14:23), and never one man called the pastor. Elders are first called of God as in Acts 20:28, where the Holy Ghost made them overseers to feed the flock. Then the bible teaches that believers are to "know them which labor among you" (1 Thess. 5:12). They are then recognized and ordained by the body as they freely minister in the gatherings, which all are allowed to do. This is a far cry from the bible schools that men gave set up and other ministry requirements. These men are know as they all speak the word and their lifestyle follows, they can't buy their way in through bible school.
Because of their maturity and closeness to God, these elders are able to speak the word of God more often with soundness and direction. But of coarse this does not mean that the rest of the body cannot use their giftings from God. On the contrary, the true elders will encourage and equip the saints for ministry and never want to quench the Spirit. They seek the things which are the Lord's, unlike the false leaders who seek their own.
Many will say that their pastor does not force any to submit or Lord over them. Well, try and use your giftings from God for more than a few minutes whenever you are lead in the gatherings and watch who interups you. If you don't agree with the one man minister he may tell you to leave HIS church or to start your own. "Beware".
God gives the church gifts,"Some apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, and some pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11), and not just pastors as we see today. Doesn't it seem strange that the pastor is the main one of these ministries today? Furthermore,
Elders are not just pastors as some may try to say.
1 Peter 5:1 for example, show that Peter was an elder and also an apostle. Elders may be any of these giftings.
Authority
Jesus said the church is not to be as the worlds authority and government, he said "ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you" (Matthew 20:25-28). But sadly, this is how the heirarcy of the one man pastor role is set up today. Christ rebuked their role.
There are two kinds of authority today, divine authority, and official authority. Official authority is vested in governments, parents and police etc.We must obey the official authorities as long as they don't ask us to violate God's will. But if they go against God's will, we must obey God, as Peter did when the authorities told him not to speak in Jesus name; he did so anyway. This can be similar to the pastors today who would forbid others to speak of Christ to their brethren and the lost in the assembly. But we aught to obey God rather than men. Many a martyr of Christ has had to deny official authorities and been killed for doing so. Official authority is not dependent on a godly character, but more on position, rank, and education.
The opposite is true for God's divine authority, it is only transmitted to godly men who are in Christ. For divine authority comes from Christ alone to his body the church, and is not so much a position or office in itself. The Lord Jesus Christ has been given all power (Matthew 28:18), and he authorizes his body to minister. He is the head from whom all authority and power flows. Even though we are to submit to elders, when they preach the word of God and follow after Christ. We are also told to "submit to one another"( Ephesians 5:21 We should do this because we can all have authority as we are lead of Christ to speak the word of God in love and use any of the giftings He gives. The authority is in the Spirit and the word not in a formal title.
So a pastor does not have the power to allow or disallow another saint to minister under Christ headship. To try and do so is wrong and comes out of the "Official authority mindset"; and can set him up as a lord over all. "Beware".
We read in Mark, that Jesus "...taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes" (Mark 1:22). He wasn't a pharisee or a political leader yet he had authority. This authority in the word and his life and is similar to the authority of a elder in the gatherings or any man who speaks the truth.
Excuses
Really, there are no good excuses to avoid following after Christ leading. But the dethroning of the one man pastor king is often fought with a flurry of fallacies, fears, pride, and distortions of truth. So lets look at just a few of them.
By pastors - "I do allow freedom. Why, just four weeks ago, so and so gave a few second testimony". Firstly, A
pastor alone doesn't biblically have the right to "allow" or "disallow" anyone of the saints to minister as Christ leads them. They can correct and exhort ( Titus 1:9) but not hinder freedom. Secondly, they use these rare "set up" situations to try and justify themselves. But this is not what the bible speaks of; try and use your giftings and test if it's really allowed.
By the people - "But so many other assemblies do it, are you saying most of them are wrong". This is a fallacy argument appealing to the majority. But we know that the majority is not always right. Many reformers rightly stood alone against the whole Roman Catholic church. And the majority forsook Christ.
By pastors - "There would be confusion". This shows the fear of man and brings the snare of the one controlling minister. We should not fear if we trust in God . Paul even said, "there must be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest" (1 Cor.11:19). The heresies are then exposed, and the approved ones are made known.
What to do
Follow after Christ. Let the one man pastor king step down and let him be part of the body. Get rid of the pulpit, the altar the programs, tight time schedules, meet in homes and wait on God.
God Bless
contact me anytime
******** ***
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* Christian Forums > Christians Only Section > Theology > General Theology
The Pastor King
Welcome, TrueWords.
You last visited: Yesterday at 10:32 AM
Private Messages: 0, Total 41.
Reputation: 294
Blessings: 1294
Posts: 249
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (1 members and 0 guests)
TrueWords
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Page 1 of 2 1 2 Next
#1 *
4th November 2005, 02:30 PM
TrueWords
Regular Member
Reputation: 294
Health: 100%
Blessings: 1,294
Posts: 249
The Pastor King
hello all,
I write this in love and hope. I pray tht thos who are in one of the five fold ministry called "pastors' will consider this also. I do believe in biblical pastors. but much of what we call the pastors role today is not biblical.lease have patience with me and I would love to hear your response. This comes out of many years of learning from the Lord on these things.
THE PASTOR KING
There is a man today who is exalted above all others as he stands on top a large platform in certain gatherings. He is the one who dominates most of the speaking week after week. Often he has a special chair reserved for him, usually on the stage, and no one is allowed to sit there but him. He generally rules in a large castle-like structure with lower ranked servants under him and has a sign outside with his name on it. Usually he is the only on who greets people at the door with a handshake as they leave the show. Many flattering titles are given to him such as, "Reverend" "Master of Divinity", or "President", and he uses expressions such as "My church" or "My people".
Almost all of the activities in the gatherings are controlled by him, and no one is permitted to speak or minister unless he allows it. But, there is rarely
opportunity for anyone else to minister as Christ leads, for they are not on the man made programs. Many dangerously look to this one man alone for all their spiritual guidance in the gatherings, rather than wait on God.
The position that he holds is unbiblical, but sadly, the people love to have it so. This man is known today as "THE PASTOR", and he reigns as a king over the body of Christ. His position as head can usurp the headship of Christ in the meetings and hinder the priesthood of all believers. These things are serious and should not be taken lightly as I fear many will do. Paul warned us of such things and said, "Beware, lest any man spoil you" Col. 2:8. The word"spoil" means," to rob you of your goods".
Though there are blessed pastor giftings in the body of Christ, and they may be loving christians; the dominant role of THE Pastor today does not exist biblically and is quite different. This Pope-like figure comes out of the worldly traditions of men, a false Roman Catholic heirarcy and misunderstanding of Christ headship in the body ministry.
His very function often quenches the Spirit in the rest of the body from edifying one another and from waiting on Christ leading to minister. And sadly, the system he rules in can create a weak, dysfunctional, pew warming body that plays church. I write this in love to your soul.
Give Us A King
There is a story in the bible where God's people said "Give us a King, to judge us" (1 Samuel 8:6). But God was already leading them by His Spirit and through the prophets. When they wanted a king over them, God allowed it, but told Samuel, "they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them" (1 Samuel 8:7). God also told Samuel to warn them that the king would bring them into bondage, take their goods and use them for his glory (1 Samuel 8:11-19).
Similarly today, we almost hear the people cry, "Give us a pastor king", especially when they are between pastors and think they need another. But by doing so, they may be rejecting God from reigning over them. And if a devil gets into the pulpit, he would bind the whole assembly. "Beware", this is a very real danger today.
Who is to lead?
The bible teaches that Christ is to lead in every part of the body. He leads as the head, "From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16). Notice, that through Christ headship the whole body can edify itself, and not just rely on one man. This should be allowed to happen every time the saints gather in Christ and wait on Him; then we will see the Lord manifest himself in fullness in the body and not just in one pastor.
When was the last time you waited for Christ to lead you in the gatherings to love and edify your brethren. The New Testament clearly teaches us that all are allowed to lead in this way, as God leads us.
When the church comes together any person sitting by can have something revealed to them and they are allowed to share it (1 Cor.14:30). They can also have a psalm, a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation an interpretation, (1 Cor.14:26); edify one another (1 Thess. 5:11); use all their giftings as they wait on God (Romans 12:1-10); have a spiritual manifestation to profit all (1 Cor 12:7); admonish one another (Romans15:14); teach one another (Colossians 3:16); exhort one another, (Hebrews 3:13); warn unruly (1Thess. 5:14); confess their faults one to one another (James 5:16); anoint the sick (James 5:14); comfort one another (1 Thess. 5:11a); prophesy to one another (1 Cor. 14:31); discipline erring brethren (1 Cor5:3-5, 6:1-6); pray for one another (James 5:?); lead in prayer and song (1 Cor. 14:15); have a psalm hymn or spiritual song (Col. 3:16); any man can speak or minister as God leads (1 Peter 4:10,11); and basically have the same care one for another (1 Cor. 12:25); and serve one another (Galatians 5:13). We must follow after Christ who will lead us in this way, and not follow after man-made programs and dead rituals that quench the Spirit.
The New Testament teaches mutual edification by all as we wait on God. Never do we see a one man pastor role controlling and dominating over everyone, except in the negative, with men like Diotrephes in the bible, who loved to have the preeminence among them, and did not receive the brethren and cast some out of the gatherings (3 John 9). John said don't follow such men .
Sadly, the one man pastor today has such unbiblical pressure put on him to perform and satisfy the crowds, that if he doesn't, he may be removed, or the people may run after the intense competition from many other superstar ministers; who are ever willing to draw away disciples after themselves.
Much of the pastors role today, becomes a need for him to promote his position and to control and feed everyone. It becomes a conglomerate of man-made programs, tight time schedules, entertainment, business meetings, board meetings, strategic planning, marketing strategies, growth seminars and showmanship; it is very troubling. What, with all the money dealings for building projects, salaries, and self promotion; much of the church begins to look like a dead corporation of men with the pastor as head and president, rather than the body of Christ edifying themselves with Christ leading as head. Is Christ outside knocking, while men run after the superstars and the one man show? "Beware"!
God Gives Ministering Elders
God also raises up men as elders, who should all able to serve, and feed the flock, but he is against those who lord over the saints and hinder Christ working in the body.
Paul exhorted Titus to ordained elders "in every church"(Acts 14:23), and never one man called the pastor. Elders are first called of God as in Acts 20:28, where the Holy Ghost made them overseers to feed the flock. Then the bible teaches that believers are to "know them which labor among you" (1 Thess. 5:12). They are then recognized and ordained by the body as they freely minister in the gatherings, which all are allowed to do. This is a far cry from the bible schools that men gave set up and other ministry requirements. These men are know as they all speak the word and their lifestyle follows, they can't buy their way in through bible school.
Because of their maturity and closeness to God, these elders are able to speak the word of God more often with soundness and direction. But of coarse this does not mean that the rest of the body cannot use their giftings from God. On the contrary, the true elders will encourage and equip the saints for ministry and never want to quench the Spirit. They seek the things which are the Lord's, unlike the false leaders who seek their own.
Many will say that their pastor does not force any to submit or Lord over them. Well, try and use your giftings from God for more than a few minutes whenever you are lead in the gatherings and watch who interups you. If you don't agree with the one man minister he may tell you to leave HIS church or to start your own. "Beware".
God gives the church gifts,"Some apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, and some pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11), and not just pastors as we see today. Doesn't it seem strange that the pastor is the main one of these ministries today? Furthermore,
Elders are not just pastors as some may try to say.
1 Peter 5:1 for example, show that Peter was an elder and also an apostle. Elders may be any of these giftings.
Authority
Jesus said the church is not to be as the worlds authority and government, he said "ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you" (Matthew 20:25-28). But sadly, this is how the heirarcy of the one man pastor role is set up today. Christ rebuked their role.
There are two kinds of authority today, divine authority, and official authority. Official authority is vested in governments, parents and police etc.We must obey the official authorities as long as they don't ask us to violate God's will. But if they go against God's will, we must obey God, as Peter did when the authorities told him not to speak in Jesus name; he did so anyway. This can be similar to the pastors today who would forbid others to speak of Christ to their brethren and the lost in the assembly. But we aught to obey God rather than men. Many a martyr of Christ has had to deny official authorities and been killed for doing so. Official authority is not dependent on a godly character, but more on position, rank, and education.
The opposite is true for God's divine authority, it is only transmitted to godly men who are in Christ. For divine authority comes from Christ alone to his body the church, and is not so much a position or office in itself. The Lord Jesus Christ has been given all power (Matthew 28:18), and he authorizes his body to minister. He is the head from whom all authority and power flows. Even though we are to submit to elders, when they preach the word of God and follow after Christ. We are also told to "submit to one another"( Ephesians 5:21 We should do this because we can all have authority as we are lead of Christ to speak the word of God in love and use any of the giftings He gives. The authority is in the Spirit and the word not in a formal title.
So a pastor does not have the power to allow or disallow another saint to minister under Christ headship. To try and do so is wrong and comes out of the "Official authority mindset"; and can set him up as a lord over all. "Beware".
We read in Mark, that Jesus "...taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes" (Mark 1:22). He wasn't a pharisee or a political leader yet he had authority. This authority in the word and his life and is similar to the authority of a elder in the gatherings or any man who speaks the truth.
Excuses
Really, there are no good excuses to avoid following after Christ leading. But the dethroning of the one man pastor king is often fought with a flurry of fallacies, fears, pride, and distortions of truth. So lets look at just a few of them.
By pastors - "I do allow freedom. Why, just four weeks ago, so and so gave a few second testimony". Firstly, A
pastor alone doesn't biblically have the right to "allow" or "disallow" anyone of the saints to minister as Christ leads them. They can correct and exhort ( Titus 1:9) but not hinder freedom. Secondly, they use these rare "set up" situations to try and justify themselves. But this is not what the bible speaks of; try and use your giftings and test if it's really allowed.
By the people - "But so many other assemblies do it, are you saying most of them are wrong". This is a fallacy argument appealing to the majority. But we know that the majority is not always right. Many reformers rightly stood alone against the whole Roman Catholic church. And the majority forsook Christ.
By pastors - "There would be confusion". This shows the fear of man and brings the snare of the one controlling minister. We should not fear if we trust in God . Paul even said, "there must be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest" (1 Cor.11:19). The heresies are then exposed, and the approved ones are made known.
What to do
Follow after Christ. Let the one man pastor king step down and let him be part of the body. Get rid of the pulpit, the altar the programs, tight time schedules, meet in homes and wait on God.
God Bless
contact me anytime
******** ***
