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What does it take to be a (qualified) pastor?

Classik

Classik

Member
Is there such thing as a qualified pastor?
Who are called? Who are chosen?

I am tempted to say some people are not called (by God) into the pastorial work. Some don't seem to have a focus, some are there probably to make money.

Some abandon school and run into the pastorial thing:sad
 
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Classik said:
Is there such thing as a qualified pastor?
Who are called? Who are chosen?

I am tempted to say some people are not called (by God) into the pastorial work. Some don't seem to have a focus, some are there probably to make money.

Some abandon school and run into the pastorial thing:sad
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I consider Ezekiel 34 the foundational qualification for pastor (foundational, not the only one of course). If your heart aches with the godly burden for the flock the good shepherd has in Ezekiel 34, you may have the equipment, and calling, of a pastor on your life.

If on the other hand you honestly can relate more to the motives and actions of the selfish shepherds in Ezekiel 34 you probably should stay away from the ministry altogether.

And I agree completely that there are pastors who have simply overestimated their calling to the ministry. According to Jesus, we can ultimately know who is operating in that office by God's appointment by the fruit they bear--the fruit of the Spirit and how they care for the flock. Even educated and talented pastors and church leaders do not have to be acknowledged if they do not bear the fruit of the Spirit, but instead are harsh and overbearing with the flock. I wish more people had the courage to accept that truth.

Ezekiel 34: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezekiel 34&version=NIV1984 (it's a good read--one of my favorite passages in the Bible)
 
well, I think every proclaiming Christian is called. I'm not saying we are all called to make our living preaching, but anyone who loves God is called to sever God. The reward is not a paycheck, and yes, there are some who are weaker in these "ordained rolls" but that's on them.

No one can blame a weak pastor for a lack of their own development in Christ. We each have our own responsibility to God and we are accountable for our own relationship. (period)
 
Classik said:
Is there such thing as a qualified pastor?
Who are called? Who are chosen?
Click to expand...


Anyone can enrol in Bible School and armed with theological degrees, become pastors... but I don't believe all are actually called or chosen.



Classik said:
I am tempted to say some people are not called (by God) into the pastorial work. Some don't seem to have a focus, some are there probably to make money.
Click to expand...


In whatever way we choose to serve God, whether as pastor or usher, it must all be motivated by love. Without sincere love for God and love for people, our service is in vain. It reminds me of a pastor in US who planned to burn Qurans out of revenge and hatred for the Islamic terrorists. I don't believe he was called or chosen by God to serve Him this way.... although I'm not saying burning Qurans is wrong either.

Some pastors where I live receive no salaries from church even though our churches are megachurches receiving millions of $ in tithes and offerings. That's true sacrifice out of love for people and that is why our churches keep growing.
 
The Pastor at my church that I have been attending since 2004 left the church a year ago to plant a new church hundreds of miles away. He was great friends with my dad who passed away, and then he was like a father to me. He chose a member of the church to be the pastor, someone who has only been with the congregation for about 4 years. The new guy isn't actually a Pastor but is studying to be one. I still don't know how I feel about it and I don't really agree that he was the best choice but apparently the Lord knows more than I do :) It just feels wrong to me to refer to him as Pastor Bob; mostly because I just really miss the old pastor and his family. I am thinking about finding a new church, there are other reasons too, mostly because of my son and the lack of children ministry at the church, not really hard feelings or anything. I just feel like it may be time for a change.
 
lmw said:
The new guy isn't actually a Pastor but is studying to be one. I still don't know how I feel about it and I don't really agree that he was the best choice but apparently the Lord knows more than I do :) It just feels wrong to me to refer to him as Pastor Bob.
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The Lord knows more than you do; if God has placed him in that position then he's one.
 
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

I believe all it takes is dedication to God to want to teach others in the assembly of a congregation of people and knowledge of Gods word taught by the indwelling of his Spirit to use a Pastor as a vessel to teach through.

My Pastor never went to Seminary school to be a Pastor, but was asked by our previous Pastor to take over the Church. He became licensed through the Church and the state for the purpose of the legalities of a Ministry. I never went to seminary school to be a licensed Evangelist, but was sanctioned by the Church for the purpose of doing prison ministry as a teacher of the word of God representing that Church, but that license became void after the Church folded and a new ministry evolved from it taking on a new name and membership.
 
Romans 10:15 says:

"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" KJV

Ephesians 4:11 says:

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" KJV

Acts 13:2 says:

"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." KJV

These verses demonstrate that pastors (as well as the others God has selected) are called by Him - that is what it takes to be "qualified." Today we put more emphasis on training and degrees but these cannot replace "the calling" - they can assist it but not replace it.
 
Heb11:6 said:
Ephesians 4:11 says:

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" KJV
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This makes me believe these two individuals are quite different (a pastor and an evnagelist) and each shouldn't play the part of another.
 
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