Just something I've been thinking about recently... what exactly IS ministry? What is it supposed to look like? Let me explain just why I've been thinking about what seems to be such an easy-to-answer question...
Everywhere I look, there are people who are called into ministry. These are the people that are supposed to be leading the rest of us. It seems, however, that people are starting to confuse the word minister with condemn. Ministry seems to be an excuse for people to tell everybody else what they're doing wrong. Does EVERYONE do this? No. But I'm worried about this. Even unbelievers are seeing this. They seem to believe that almost all christians are hypocrites or judgmental. On top of that, I believe that many christians are beginning to simply accept this. I believe they are becoming too comfortable with going to the pastor of a church than going to God. We are starting to see pastors as the final word. THIS is the danger behind denominations, I think. Relying more on the word of your pastor than the Word of God. I'm not saying denominations are evil. I just believe that we are shifting the authority from God to... us. I guess THAT'S the main thing that's bothering me.
And now that THAT'S said, I have something else that's actually JUST NOW hit me... I think that we are "using" God's Word to help us accomplish this. Kind of like... "Oh... This is the answer, let me find some scriptures that agree with me" instead of "Based off of my reading of the Bible, I believe this is the answer." Satan did something similar. He wanted Jesus to abuse his power... submit himself to Satan... so he found scriptures that helped to support his claims.
So, I think the thing to do is to humble oneself. Ministers and pastors need to become humble. Those that went through years and years of college and training need to take a step down. We need to get off of the throne and let God take His rightful seat where He belongs.
Sorry for the rant. I realize that this may seem just kinda scattered... I just kinda typed while I thought... like thinking aloud, I guess. I hope that this act of randomness will either help you or provoke insightful conversation so as to help myself. Either way, thanks for listening! :angel:
Acts 2:4 talks about the Holy Spirit coming upon some believers. They began to speak in tongues as a result.
Regarding the "being under a pastor"... I think it's important to have leaders, but I can't help but think about what Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 23 verses 8-12. That's my main deal, here.
good topic... hope I'm getting your point you're making.
I think firstly, one must understadn the meaning of the word ministry as it relates to God and His people. Which is to serve God and others in the name of the Lord in dedication and love.
Therefore Paul outlines in Romans 12, different areas of Christian ministry such as: Prophecy, teaching, exhortation, administration(business) Giving. Mercy (benevoleneceministry of helps) evangelism, etc.
When working in these areas of ministry there are those which in one must certain methods in communicating thier message to reach others, just as Jesus, Paull and the other apostle had to do in the spreading of the gospel, Jesus teaches us these methods and the apostles learned from Him how to Convience, compel, persuade,etc. And it depends on what area of ministry you're in Paul was an aggresive preacher and very bold in witnessing to others. Not only that, but he was well educated, and had studied under the very best teachers and in the best of schooling there were in all areas of the Hebrew doctrine.
Jesus and the apostle weer very forceful in their work, this is why many of the Jews tried to kill Jesus and the apostle. Paul CHARGES Timothy to be forceful (basically,tough love) in his ministry 2 Timothy chapter 4, if you are aware of the techniques of tough love, then you will know what I mean...
Matthew chapter 23, has twofold meaning in many aspects. Jesus is teaching the disciples not to allow their titles to get ahead of their message, as the Pharisees were doing, which made it difficult for them to hear the word of God. So Jesus was waring them not to allow others to start worshipping them, and lose sight because of pride, and people start worshipping and serving them as gods,of the real person who should receive the glory and worship, who is God the Father really is and that He alone should be given all the praise and glory and honor.... and that they becasue they were educated in the spiritaul things of God, they shouldn't allow this to place them in the seat of God or even equal to God.
Also, the devil misquoted scripture out of context, and Jesus in defense of the word, he quoted the real deal of the scriptures. The wilderness experience teaches us how we, as believers are to defend ourselves wirh the word of God and NOT our own word... in spirutal warfare against opposition.
hope this meets some of your points you're making.
PJ... Oh, lol. I didn't mean "here" as in on this website. Just for this particular thread. That's what my thoughts are about. Look towards the end of Ella's reply. She put it very well. As for where I stand regarding that verse in Acts, I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean...
And ET... Thanks. Even though you missed a few words, lol, some things you said made some sense.
Hi,I was about saying that ministry was about serving and not leaing, but I see Ella made that point already.
Of course there is also some leading in the church, and some people do acually lead, but this eadership shold come out of serving, and not the serving out of leadership. That way judgmentalim and hypocrasy could be hindered I guess...
I for myself are not "under" any pastor, but under God alone:applause:
Sorry, I am too Protestant to be under a pastor or bishop.
I agree with Benny and Ella that ministry is all about serving.
To be under a pastor and a pastor over me, is the a mistake which comes out of human nature to mathematically organize the things. The world is functioning upon pyramids, organograms and hierarchy. These concepts are very deeply implemented in our systems. When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, putting these concepts literally upside down, it was Peter who opposed strongly to it. Also today, christians have problems in leaving hierarchic concepts behind, particulary in churches. We seem to think that we simply cannot all be equal, there must be a difference. People are under and people are over and some even think that they are above....
However, Jesus also teaches us the concept of the shepard and his flock. And in that way, I believe Philip John is right. Believers must be under a pastor.
The word under and above are wrong though. I keep sheep on my little farm and believe me, these animals are not under me....!!!
They do know my voice though and they attend to it. They also would never follow another voice and maybe therefore we should all try to be more as sheep than shepards....
There is a lot of abuse of authority in churches and also a lot of wrong teachings. However I do not see that this will disappear by breaking down the church�s foundations. Even if we are no more under a pastor, we still be exposed to wrong teachers and preachers and there will be still abuse of authority.
I also think that there is no christian in this world who puts himself on the throne of God. We have a tendancy to look upon eachother like that, especially when someone does not agree with our views and ideas....
Last but not least. There is no one who can put himself on God�s throne. What we humans can and do in abundancy, is put God�s glory on ourselves. We think that pills and doctors cure us. We think that our money makes the world go around and we also think that there is no faith in God without our church systems. These are all very ego-flattering thoughts. Once we understand the serving concept as Jesus taught us, we know how ignorant and blind we really are to consider ourselves a leader. The right word is servant.
I say that Philip John is right that believers must be under a pastor. What I forgot to say is that this Pastor is the LORD (Jesus) rather than a church/pastor.
