Quote:
Originally Posted by countmeworthy
Pastors and ministers is an office...not a title on a piece of paper !
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CMW, interesting post -- much of what you say is also stirring within me.
One small caveat, though there may be many ministers (greek: leitourgos) in the New Testament, I cannot find any New Testament reference to the "office" of minister as it is recognized in contemporary Christianity (e.g. "Reverend So-and-So is our minister"). Somehow "minister" has come to mean some sort of spiritual leader.
Nor do I find any scriptural reference to the office of "pastor". There are very few New Testament references to "pastor", most of which refer to the Lord Jesus. It would seem rather that a pastor is a gift to the church, a brother or sister in our midst who is able to shepherd the saints. This pastor wouldn't need to be and elder (though wouldn't that be nice...?), but need only simply to serve and exercise the gift.
Sorry to pick nits, but this has come up in various places. I thought it worth a reply. I don't mean to pour cold water on your otherwise excellent post.