Pastor - title or role?

It all comes down to either serving or being caught up in self-righteousness.

My prayer is that people know several things from scripture.

The term Pastor
comes to mind.

Here are some thoughts:

1. The only time the title of Pastor is mentioned as a title is the Chief pastor is Jesus.

2. Some are called to pastor, now called pastors, but to do the function.

3. Elders are to pastor.

Pastoring is a part of the many functions of what the Bishop, overseer or elder is to do.

It is another way to serve, shepherd the flock. Serving.

If you think "pastor" is a title and an office - then it is best to rethink it.

Even in the Restoration movement we use the term pastor = elder. But really the pastoring is a function of the elders.

Elders = office.
pastoring = role, function.
Overseeing what to be doing as well.

The duty is to pastor not be a pastor. Pastoring is more of a duty, gift, not a title. The elders were to pastor. The leadership is to pastor. In the RM movement there shouldn't be pastors but elders who do pastoring.

Now if they hire a "pastor" or an elder/minister - there should be a system in place to help make sure the leadership is on the same page and if some elders just don't like the Minister - a biblical way to handle it and accountability.

I recently came across a person who renamed themselves to "pastor Queen" so people can address her as such.

Now I don't mind the name change ... but sometimes titles are to be earned, and respect is to as well. (I don't know this person very well) but do know pastor is more like naming yourself "Servant/ shepherd" and probably not really the way they intended. And of course there is the issue of women being an elder (But that's another issue for another blog post)

I have some people that call me "Pastor" because of their own upbringing. In my own fellowship - we call what people call "pastors" "Ministers"; or even Evangelists but in a lot of ways we are elders doing the pastoring role as well.

Somehow I think our Christian culture has so caught up in semantics and titles that we forget ministry is about serving, leading, and pastoring people rather than trying to have a title just given to us. In denominational circles I know pastors are seen as a "Clergy" of sorts. And even pastors=elders. The big issue I have is having a "Single pastor" as in "The" pastor or using it as a title, rather than a function and having God use you as the Leader He has called.

I know ministry isn't for wimps but there tends to be some who think they just add "Pastor" in front of their name and that makes them qualified to run the church or ministry. There is a lot more to it than that my friends.

Ministry and Driving!

I've been thinking that those that serve in ministry and those who don't spend alot of time in our vehicles.

Here is thoughts I have had about helping our ministries as we drive.

1. Keep it simple. Maybe it is as simple as praying or listening to sermons.

2. Drive Slow. Give yourself extra time to get there. Going from point A to point B doesn't have to be spent going 80mph on the interstate. Afterall, the speed limit is there for a reason. (I need to be reminded of this myself)

3. Spend some time in silence. Turn off the radio. Just listen to the quiet. Sometimes I think having the radio etc on can be a distraction. I can't believe how I see people driving with cell phones, radios, food, and then other items. I, even, saw one person with a mp3 player in their ears while driving and thinking he had a razor as well.

Those extra few minutes of commuting are some good times spent enhancing your spiritual life and perhaps getting you ready for the day - spend them wisely in the ideas of Simple, Slow and Silence.

Thoughts? Other ideas?

Programs Versus Relationships!

There is a debate in youth ministry circles that say Programs = Bad! Relationships is what is what it is all about. This is so far off. See the lies listed here



Programs are a tool.... in which relationships can start.

Relational based ministry goes beyond programs but have to start with some sort of impact.

If we expect to ADD more glamour and gimmicks to build people to a relationship with Christ -we miss the goal.

The goal really isn't our relationship with anyone. sorry as much as community is a good thing ... the whole urban legend that youth ministry is about relationships is just an urban legend - just the same as it is about programs.

The goal is Jesus. Plain and simple. Youth pastors and youth workers can't replace parents. Youth workers can't replace Jesus. All we do is point people to well - Jesus.