How much authority should a pastor have over a church?
The church is called “the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2), “God’s heritage” (1 Peter 5:3), and “the church of God” (Acts 20:28). Jesus is “the head of the church” (Ephesians 5:23) and “the chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). The church rightly belongs to Christ, and He is the authority over it (Matthew 16:18). This…
What are the biblical qualifications of a pastor?
The biblical qualifications of pastor are outlined in two primary New Testament passages, 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. There are three terms used interchangeably in the New Testament to refer the highest office in a church: elder, overseer, and pastor (which means “shepherd”) all refer to the same office. First Timothy 3:1–7 contains the…
Is it biblically allowable for a pastor to be gay?
Some people consider themselves gay because they are attracted to members of their own gender, even if they do not act on those attractions. Their situation is like that of a married person who is attracted to someone besides his or her spouse, but who refuses to act on those adulterous desires. So it may…
What is an overseer in the church?
In the Bible, the terms overseer, bishop, and elder all refer to the same position in the church. Different English translations of the Bible use alternate terms to describe this leadership position in 1 Timothy 3:1. The New International Version and English Standard Version use overseer, while the King James Version uses bishop, and the…
What is pastor worship?
Pastor worship is a term applied to the act of elevating a pastor or other spiritual leader to an unhealthy degree. Through the internet, we have access to an almost unlimited amount of Christian teaching; that, coupled with the fact that we are naturally prone to idolatry, can lead people to put their favorite pastor…
What is Christian tentmaking?
Tentmaking is a metaphorical term used to refer to holding a career in order to allow oneself the opportunity to engage in Christian ministry. Tentmakers are Christian workers, usually missionaries, who work full-time to support themselves rather than draw support or a salary from a church or mission organization. Tentmaking is so-called because the apostle…
Is God restoring the offices of apostle and prophet in the church today?
The movement to restore the offices of apostle and prophet bases the claim that apostles and prophets are to be a part of the church on Ephesians 4:11-12. These verses say, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of…
What does the husband of one wife phrase in 1 Timothy 3:2 mean?
There are at least three possible interpretations of the phrase husband of one wife in 1 Timothy 3:2 (ESV). 1) It could simply be saying that a polygamist is not qualified to be an elder, a deacon or a pastor. This is the most literal interpretation of the English rendering of the phrase, but seems…
What are the potential issues with celebrity pastors?
A celebrity pastor is one who, in addition to shepherding a local congregation, has attained a certain amount of celebrity—that is, he is famous and known far and wide. Celebrity pastors usually maintain a national or even international teaching platform. They typically use mass media to expand their reach and influence a multitude of hearts…
Is a man who divorced and remarried before coming to Christ eligible to pastor a church?
The issue of divorced people serving in the ministry (especially the pastorate) is a topic of some deliberation today. We know that divorce is a sin, but we also know that God forgives sin. Making the issue more complex is the consideration of the timing of the divorce. What if the divorce occurred before the…