House Church Talk - House church or simply church wherever people are

[DanG]

Glenn Frank wrote:
> Hey Dan and Dan...
> 
> I'm thinking that the 'pastor' issue is really not so much an issue of
> structure of the church... Or even authority issues necessarily... It is the
> misconception that the 'pastor' is a job description rather than a Gifting
> and means he is the one in charge. Not what I see in scripture.
> 
> Seems to me that a pastor is really just someone in the church who is GIFTED
> with the pastoral GIFT... That is, someone who is sensitive to the needs of
> people, is very relational and has a calling to protect them and the truth
> of scripture. The person gifted as a pastor might additionally be gifted as
> a teacher and a love for study and presenting Gods Word.
> 
> But the IC has taken this and made "Pastor" an office of authority rather
> than a gifting that is to be used to better the church. It is true that men
> gifted with the pastoral gift and calling might also be recognized as ELDERS
> (now that is an actual 'office' of authority in the church... Not the gift
> of pastor).
> 
> But what is more grievous to my heart is that the IC has the audacity to
> give the title of "Head Pastor" to a man. Let me explain:
> 
> If 'pastor" means 'shepherd'...
> And 'Head' intimates that he is the 'chief' leader...
> 
> Then they are calling this man the 'chief shepherd'... Which is a title of
> Jesus -- the head of the church-- not a title fit for a servant leadership
> 'under-shepherd' as he should be!
> 
> Glenn Frank

Very good, Glenn.
How do I hold back the riot that is stirring in my heart/mind as I
understand this fully.  This really is disturbing, in a sense. 
Pitiful may be the better sentiment.  Oh, well, God is at work, in me,
as well as these other men.
DanG ChicagoArea