Pastor Or Reverend???

[heb13-13]

(07-09-2009 06:52 PM)Vic Wrote:  

(07-09-2009 06:43 PM)SheitlQueen Wrote:  Okay, so how does "minister" relate to "reverend" and "pastor"...
and how about "preacher"?

Hi, SheitlQueen,

I think under the concept of "job description" title....same concepts. I personally feel it is based on from their perspective of their job and entitlement to that title or honor that is perceived to come with it.

Never in the New Testament do we see the pastor as the "Key Man" upon whom rests the burden of speaking for the Body in a way that no other person can. Today, I have noticed that "leaders", more and more are prefixing their names with TITLES. Apostle, Bishop, Prophet, etc.

There is very little in the New Testament that would support the thesis that the church is to have a special class of Christians who rule over the church in place of the Head (Jesus).

Jesus' model of leadership has nothing to do with status or office. Leadership is important in the church but it is out of balance. When there is a preeminence of leadership it takes away from the every member ministry and reciprocal or "one another" ministry that Paul highlights all through his epistles.

The Church has only one class of members: blood-bought, born-again believers. Jesus explicitly forbade honorific titles among His people, His sheep.

Sad, but true, our institutional churches are dysfunctional and have grown away from the strict commands of Jesus. We have created something that the New Testament Church would not recognize. Most men today with titles don't even stop to think twice about why they are referred to with a title. They just think that it is normal (as far as Christianity goes, not Scriptures) and that they earned the title in some way, whether it be by education or being promoted by other men.

Titles only serve one purpose and that is to divide the sheep from the "more honored sheep".

Here are some verses to think on.

1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

1Co 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

Joh 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

We always have to stay away from situations that would appeal to our pride.

That was a great question, Mark.