I wonder that on the last day many pastors will come forward saying that they laboured for ten and want to claim their reward and Jesus has to tell them that they confined their congregation to infancy. He will show them how much they actually prevented rather than facilitated. Whenever I read the last chapters and greetings in Pauls letters I am reminded that there were many people abounding in all sorts of ministries and services. Authority is a godly principle that the church has to observe and display.Perhaps we have to wait until a persecution arises that scares the hireling pastors into flight and allow the true shepherds to emerge.
Wow, narrowpath: a very clear word; prophetic and absolutely true. I think you are right. When your life is at risk, and you must "pay up ", now and then, as it is in China right now....where the hirelings and professionals have vamooshed, or been "called" into another line of work. Jesus said; "The hireling flees when the WOLF comes, but the good Shepherd does lay his life down for the sheep." "Perhaps we have to wait until a persecution arises that scares the hireling pastors into flight and allow the true shepherds to emerge." narrowpath."Jesus has to tell them that they confined their congregation to infancy. He will show them how much they actually prevented rather than facilitated."...narrowpathThe present clergy/Laity....One Pastor system actually isolates the body into a priest class, and a common, or lay class. The Priest wears a snappy suit, stands behind a barrier, and becomes the highly spiritual one, given control and power over all, and of course the CASH. The rest linger, in a semi conscious state , as drones, eagerly awaiting approbation and the Sunday handshake. The great T. Austin Sparks called them, "DISH CHRISTIANS", who need perpetual watering to survive, as a hydrated plant grown upon a coffee plate. I went to the underground church in China, [ 1000 miles inland away from the cities ]where it may cost you severely to honor fellowship and Godly love. The men that were left, would not reveal themselves to me, and I didn't care. I understood; they did not know me; the cost was to great to chance it. The many precious women there told me that most of the Pastors had fled. They were real. We too will be given an opportunity to prove our devotion to Jesus alone.
enid wrote:One thing we need to realise is, whether we like to one pastor system or not, it is here to stay.Whether we gripe about it or accept it, it's not going away.
_________________Allan Halton