Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,Reflections:
It’s really hard to speak to this issues of, denominational, corporate church pastors. I know firsthand the dedication and passion some of these godly men have towards their churches. We have no reason at all to look down at, or to have anything personal against these men. They are performing what they have been taught to do in their denominations, and in most cases, they do it with all their heart as unto the Lord, be it right or wrong biblically.
The Church is a Mess!
Having said that, the church is a mess! Where to begin? Even the very meaning of the word “church” has been twisted beyond biblical recognition. The word church, in the Greek, is “ekklesia” and refers to those people called out from the world and set apart for Christ’s salvation, and use in the earth. It does not refer to a building. The true church is architecturally invisible; made up of living stones (we born-again believers) (1 Pet 2:5) who assemble together. The gathering could be a home or other building; even an open field. None of these physical places is the church. The church is God’s collective people (Matt 18:20)! We don’t go to church, we are the church wherever we gather.The Format is Spiritually Corrupt!
Even the format of the traditional church service is all wrong. The church we have inherited follows a “Basilica” style pattern for its format. A Basilica style architecture is where you have a platform with a podium higher that of the people who are seated in rows below facing the platform; like in a theater or auditorium. The only person who dictates order, and has opportunity to function, is the pastor, while everyone else simply sits and listens, or participates occasionally at his behest. Is One Person Better that Another?
This sets up a class distinction between the pastor and the body of believers. This is why everybody drools accolades, and dotes over a pastor after a typical “church” service. We as the church are guilty of following the worlds corporate structure as our model, which is based on class distinction. This thinking was instituted into the church approximately 320 A.D. by Emperor Constantine. After having an experience, with who he believed was Christ, he mandated that his entire kingdom would be Christian, like it or not!The New Testament Pattern
This is in clear contrast to the New Testament pattern where everyone is at the same level, and without class distinctions. We may all be called to function somewhat differently, as the Holy Spirit leads, but that certainly doesn’t set one above another. We’re all simply sinners saved by grace. Those that willingly take on, and bear, more responsibility are clearly worthy of double honor simply because they labor hard in the area God is using them. However, those that would desire the greater callings are to be all the more the servants of all in heart, and in actions.How About We all Share?
I like to think of the church in terms of a round table gathering where everyone has opportunity to share and to bring forth their spiritual endowments as led by the Holy Spirit, for the express purpose of building up one another in God's love (Gal 5:13;Col3:16).A Pastor: One Who Simply Serves
The biblical pastor is not a corporate position to be desired, but rather a “function” of service. A pastor (or shepherd) is the one who has been “gifted” with a heart of compassion to see that all God’s sheep stay spiritually well and remain so (Ps 100:3).
