Pastor Or Reverend???

[Vic]

(07-23-2009 01:19 PM)pastor_chris Wrote:  Do you have any idea how santimonious you sound! Rick it sounds like you have it "all" figured out and stand as the judge of "christianity" as the wise sage of biblical spirituality!

The pastorate is tough, and I am not complaining about that, I knew what came with my call, which I thoroughly love. SO not quitting! Sorry! But I am tired of people I encounter who like firing bombs at ministers. Yeah Rick that is real edifying. Your comments make it clear you have an anti-clerical bias. Don't try and pretend otherwise. The "system" is based upon the scripture, so thats not the problem. The problem is the sinners, and since our churches are filled with them ministry will always be messy. But you ought to respect those that are in the field instead of criticizing from the sidelines.

Chris your remarks to Rick are out of line.

You seem to be firing an awful lot of stuff at those who aren't pastors. You want a biblical evaluation:

2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

The "pastorate" as you call it, is no different than any other part of the body of Christ.

Romans 12:2-5 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Each individual is to be equipped with the full armour of God, in the same way, because the battle is for all who belong to Christ. Every single person is a soldier of Christ. He is the Shepherd and One we are to follow. The battle is His, but He uses each as He sees fit. Each are called to do various tasks to edify the church--aka Body of Christ and as He wills, bring others to Christ.

>>>But you ought to respect those that are in the field instead of criticizing from the sidelines. >>>

Every believer that is living for Christ is supposed to be "in the field" Chris. You are not superior or more of a soldier or more important in the Body, or dealing with harder things.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 4:10-16 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Your job as a teacher is to equip the saints, of those who allow you to teach them, so they can go and do the ministry that God calls each person to, who belongs to Him. So that those who you have contact with do not remain babes, but rather learn to exercise discernment by use of the Word of God. As mature Christians who have learned to wield the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, and always pointing others to Christ---and not pointing to themselves. It's about Christ.

You apparently forgot some Scriptural passages in your zeal to be recognised as a pastor, instead as simply someone who loves Jesus Christ and the brethren. Because, you would know we are to try the spirits and prove all things, according to the Scriptures.

Concerning your various comments:

1 Timothy 6: 10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Colossians 3:12-17 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13. Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Philippians 2:1-5 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: