Pastors

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#61
I was thinking more about pastors and how in this modern day and age pastors can reach out to more of the younger generation if they take the time to communicate through social media. Pastors cant expect the sheep to come after them they sometimes have to go to them...and keep in touch. And on a personal level.

I have thought that a lot after seemingly passed over to someone else or like 'dont talk to me, talk to xx' or the doctor someone else. Or I'm busy. I get the impression that some pastors are way too busy 'running' the church instead of actually looking after its members. Can understand that some people can be too clingy and needy but that ought never to dampen a pastors calling. Otherwise I wonder what hes doing is it all for himself or is it for others.

Does anyone know what I mean.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,595
13,858
113
#62
I was thinking more about pastors and how in this modern day and age pastors can reach out to more of the younger generation if they take the time to communicate through social media. Pastors cant expect the sheep to come after them they sometimes have to go to them...and keep in touch. And on a personal level.

I have thought that a lot after seemingly passed over to someone else or like 'dont talk to me, talk to xx' or the doctor someone else. Or I'm busy. I get the impression that some pastors are way too busy 'running' the church instead of actually looking after its members. Can understand that some people can be too clingy and needy but that ought never to dampen a pastors calling. Otherwise I wonder what hes doing is it all for himself or is it for others.

Does anyone know what I mean.
It seems as though you are assuming the "pastor" is the only publicly-active leader in the congregation. While that may be true in tiny congregations (50 or fewer), it certainly isn't the case in larger churches and it isn't healthy in any size of church. It isn't the job of the pastor (well... it shouldn't be) to do all the outreach as well as all the 'inreach'. That's a surefire recipe for burnout.

Better that the pastor teaches the congregants their responsibility and expects them to do their part as they are gifted and able.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#63
It seems as though you are assuming the "pastor" is the only publicly-active leader in the congregation. While that may be true in tiny congregations (50 or fewer), it certainly isn't the case in larger churches and it isn't healthy in any size of church. It isn't the job of the pastor (well... it shouldn't be) to do all the outreach as well as all the 'inreach'. That's a surefire recipe for burnout.

Better that the pastor teaches the congregants their responsibility and expects them to do their part as they are gifted and able.
Well what is the job of the pastor then, isnt that what you mentioned the 'job' of a teacher. Teachers nd pastors are different roles. As are evangelists. Otherwise why would Paul specify these differing roles in a church. And then why would Jesus say the good shepherd goes AFTER the sheep that go astray. He doesnt ignore that sheep and lets them wander off and get eaten by wolves. Also Jesus said it was 100 sheep, so surely one pastor could easily look after 100 sheep. It wasnt 50.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,595
13,858
113
#64
Well what is the job of the pastor then, isnt that what you mentioned the 'job' of a teacher. Teachers nd pastors are different roles. As are evangelists. Otherwise why would Paul specify these differing roles in a church. And then why would Jesus say the good shepherd goes AFTER the sheep that go astray. He doesnt ignore that sheep and lets them wander off and get eaten by wolves. Also Jesus said it was 100 sheep, so surely one pastor could easily look after 100 sheep. It wasnt 50.
Each congregation (or perhaps denomination) will set up a job description for a "pastor" that may include taking care of the physical building as well as caring for the people... but that's not wise.

You seem to be shifting gears here. Earlier you were talking about outreach; now you're talking about following up on straying sheep. The job of the pastor is not to be the evangelist! The pastor is to care for his sheep, not all people. Jesus didn't chase down those who rejected Him; He let them go. It should not be the pastor's job to go and bring people into the church who are not yet believers.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#65
Each congregation (or perhaps denomination) will set up a job description for a "pastor" that may include taking care of the physical building as well as caring for the people... but that's not wise.

You seem to be shifting gears here. Earlier you were talking about outreach; now you're talking about following up on straying sheep. The job of the pastor is not to be the evangelist! The pastor is to care for his sheep, not all people. Jesus didn't chase down those who rejected Him; He let them go. It should not be the pastor's job to go and bring people into the church who are not yet believers.
I AM talking about sheep that were part of the congrgeation. Not unbelievers. Where did you get that from? i wasnt even talking about outreach. I clearly said, in case you didnt read it, that a pastor is not the same as an evangelist.

You seem to be confused over what a pastor is or does its not for a church to make up a job description up for a pastor! How ridiculous is that? Its clearly shown in the Bible what Jesus wants a pastor to do. Thanks to other posters for providing those scriputres.

Can you actually take the timetoread my posts before you rush in and confuse everyone, then accuse me of saying stuff I didnt say. Thats not good manners.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,595
13,858
113
#66
I AM talking about sheep that were part of the congrgeation. Not unbelievers. Where did you get that from? i wasnt even talking about outreach. I clearly said, in case you didnt read it, that a pastor is not the same as an evangelist.

You seem to be confused over what a pastor is or does its not for a church to make up a job description up for a pastor! How ridiculous is that? Its clearly shown in the Bible what Jesus wants a pastor to do. Thanks to other posters for providing those scriputres.

Can you actually take the timetoread my posts before you rush in and confuse everyone, then accuse me of saying stuff I didnt say. Thats not good manners.
Wow. Take it down a notch.

Here's the post of yours that I was referencing:

I was thinking more about pastors and how in this modern day and age pastors can reach out to more of the younger generation if they take the time to communicate through social media. Pastors cant expect the sheep to come after them they sometimes have to go to them...and keep in touch. And on a personal level.
Does that sound like connecting with people who have joined the church, or with people who haven't? Even if you meant those who have, can you at least see how I might read it differently?