Clergy.

[Yet]

Regarding the tendency to replace Christ with professional clergy Christian Smith wrote,


"The problem is that, regardless of what our theologies tell us about the purpose of clergy, the actual effect of the clergy profession is to make the body of Christ lame. This happens not because clergy intend it (they usually intend the opposite) but because the objective nature of the profession inevitably turns the laity into passive receivers. . .
"The problem with the clergy profession is that it is fundamentally self-defeating. Its stated purpose is to nurture spiritual maturity in the church--a valuable goal. In actuality, however, it accomplishes the opposite by nurturing a permanent dependence of the laity on the clergy. Clergy become to their congregations like parents whose children never grow up, like therapists whose clients never become healed, like teachers whose students never graduate. The existence of a full-time, professional minister makes it too easy for church members not to take responsibility for the on-going life of the church. And why should they? That's the job of the pastor (so the thinking goes). But the result is that the laity remain in a state of passive dependence." ("Church Without Clergy")
Read article. This is not for the those that see no wrong in the organized 'church'. Please avoid.
Church Without Clergy

 

[Magenta]

I love my pastor.

 

[Kefa54]

Another writer that seems to have no clue of what the Holly Spirit does.


Kefa

 

[Yonah]

The problem lies not with the pastors but with the average believer, first we all have a choice and in fact are commanded to study the word for ourselves (2 Tim. 2:15) any true teacher of the word will always encourage those whom he teaches to not only verify what he teaches but to seek ways to put into practice what they have learned, because if we don't live in the light we are given we prove ourselves unable to handle more.... the scriptures are to lead one through this dark and dying world, in a way that enables and empowers us to live according to Him who died for us all, when we cheat ourselves by refusal to even study the most basic of tenets of our faith we leave ourselves open to be tossed here and there by every wind of doctrine, there are well meaning teachers, teaching error and leading many astray, as this is rarely intentional, however it is none the less damaging. we all have a great blessing in being able to read the study the words of life so freely.... lets take full advantage of it, the more we understand the better we can be used by the author and finisher of our faith to lead others to the wellspring of life, remember he died so we could live.

 

[zzz98]

I love the clergy in my church!

 

[Blain]

What is a clergy?

 

[Yet]

What is a clergy?

The word clergy comes from the Greek word cleros which means lot or heritage. Used in 1Peter5:3 The heritage of the Lord is all of us. So clergy is every believer.
Dont know why I point to the word. Few there be that want to hear it.

 

[Yet]

I told all you guys that this message wasn't for you!

 

[Yet]

I love the clergy in my church!

That means you love every member, for they all are cleros. Good for you. Love is good.

 

[Yet]

Another writer that seems to have no clue of what the Holly Spirit does.


Kefa

Can you explain that a little my kind friend. Don't leave us just hanging. Smile.

 

[Yet]

I love my pastor.

You mean there is only one elder in your fellowship?

 

[Yet]

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

[Kefa54]

In these modern times the definition of clergy is...Clergy are some of the formal leaders within certain religions. The roles and functions of clergy vary in different religious traditions but these usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the terms used for individual clergy are cleric, clergyman, clergywoman, clergyperson, and churchman.

What is a clergy?

 

[Blain]

The word clergy comes from the Greek word cleros which means lot or heritage. Used in 1Peter5:3 The heritage of the Lord is all of us. So clergy is every believer.
Dont know why I point to the word. Few there be that want to hear it.

Oh I thought it was a role within the church like a pastor or elder or something

 

[Blain]

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Umm are you saying we despise wisdom and instruction and that we are fools? Because you are right about that last part we are fools- fools for Christ:b

 

[Kefa54]

Here we are and we have come back to fruit of the Spirit again.

A good pastor (resting in the Holly Spirit) will show good fruit.
He will have deacons or deaconess, elders and teachers and worship leaders. Bible study leaders, youth leaders, He will not just spoon feed people scripture and he will push us to read our bible's.
I have known 9 pastors in my life and only one was off on his own and sort of out there.
A good pastor will tell you that he is accountable to his leadership team. Along with the church body.
A leadership team will hold the pastor accountable. They will set up missions,youth groups etc. The leadership team is close and personal with the pastor.
The pastor and the leadership will all be lead by the spirit.

To just write some article stating that pastors replace Christ is not fruit of the spirit. It is a person on a rant trying to make some strange point.


Church Structure - Church offices
The pastor (literally, “shepherd”) is the human head of a church. In the early church, it seems there was a plurality of elders, also called “bishops” or “overseers.” It is the elders who lead the church and are responsible for teaching the Word and guiding, admonishing, and exhorting the people of God. (See 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Acts 14:23.) The man who fills the duties of a pastor/teacher is actually one of the elders.

Deacons were first chosen by the church in Jerusalem (see Acts 6). The apostles, who functioned as elders there, appointed the deacons and set out their duties. Thus, deacons have always been under the authority of the elders.

While the teaching pastor shares responsibility for spiritual oversight with the other elders of a church, Paul indicates the position carries an added obligation. “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17). Thus, the pastor and other elders are equal in authority but not in duty.


Kefa

Regarding the tendency to replace Christ with professional clergy Christian Smith wrote,


"The problem is that, regardless of what our theologies tell us about the purpose of clergy, the actual effect of the clergy profession is to make the body of Christ lame. This happens not because clergy intend it (they usually intend the opposite) but because the objective nature of the profession inevitably turns the laity into passive receivers. . .
"The problem with the clergy profession is that it is fundamentally self-defeating. Its stated purpose is to nurture spiritual maturity in the church--a valuable goal. In actuality, however, it accomplishes the opposite by nurturing a permanent dependence of the laity on the clergy. Clergy become to their congregations like parents whose children never grow up, like therapists whose clients never become healed, like teachers whose students never graduate. The existence of a full-time, professional minister makes it too easy for church members not to take responsibility for the on-going life of the church. And why should they? That's the job of the pastor (so the thinking goes). But the result is that the laity remain in a state of passive dependence." ("Church Without Clergy")
Read article. This is not for the those that see no wrong in the organized 'church'. Please avoid.
Church Without Clergy

 

[Yet]

A pastor is not the head of an assembly. Jesus is. A plurality of elders which are all called to pastor according to 1Peter 5 and Acts 20. True, these pastors may have specified gifts that vary some. But your NT does not set one pastor above the rest.

 

[Kefa54]

I thought we were just talking about clergy. I don't consider Jesus clergy. I consider him God.
Anyway...what is ...(But your NT does not set one pastor above the rest.)

"Thus, the pastor and other elders are equal in authority but not in duty."

Kefa

A pastor is not the head of an assembly. Jesus is. A plurality of elders which are all called to pastor according to 1Peter 5 and Acts 20. True, these pastors may have specified gifts that vary some. But your NT does not set one pastor above the rest.

 

[zzz98]

I thought we were just talking about clergy. I don't consider Jesus clergy. I consider him God.
Anyway...what is ...(But your NT does not set one pastor above the rest.)

"Thus, the pastor and other elders are equal in authority but not in duty."

Kefa

The OP has a serious problem with church.

 

[Blain]

A church's growth and fruit of the spirit does have some dependency on the pastor, the pastor is the teacher of the church he has the responsibility of teaching the word of God and doing so in a manner that brings ppl closer to God. If a Church has a pastor that openly teaches in pride and boasting how that church is better than others then that church is in trouble.

Jesus said to Peter to feed his sheep, what do you think he meant by that? Peter in my opinion was the first actual pastor of the church, he feed the sheep the truth even when that convicted them but he also did so in a loving manner, he always pointed everything to Jesus not himself nor the church but to Jesus. People go to church and they listen to the pastor, many can easily be misled by a bad pastor and thus the role of a pastor is a heavy burden because you may even have good intentions in your teachings but your words can have either a good effect or a bad effect on the church.

If I was a pastor I would greatly consider how I influence the body within the church knowing that every word coming from my mouth can either set a heart on fire or make one grow cold