You’re looking for an answer here? Really?
Consider praying for these people instead of complaining about them online.
Do you wear a long robe which the scriptures teach against??? Do the clergy at your church call themselves priests which BTW do not exist in the NT church??? Do you believe the bible is the final authority for all matters of faith and practice???
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I wonder if you are cut out to be a Minister, it appears not.
No, next question.
As one who has been able to frequent the RF, i do not remember seeing you and you often being called a Pharisee and narrow minded or the rest here. And you offer no evidence of "Protestant lay people" doing so elsewhere , while translating this into them hating clergy almost sounds like a psychological complex.
About the only kind of place i would expect to see what you describe in Huffington Post or the like, and in which the type of "Protestant" requires a definition so wide that Unitarians are included.
Meanwhile, the fact is that the laity are indeed the real priests along with the pastors, as in no place does the Holy Spirit cal NT pastors "priests." For the word which the Holy Spirit distinctively uses for priests*, is “hiereus” or “archiereus.” (Heb. 4:15; 10:11) and which is never used for NT pastors, nor does the words presbuteros (senior/elder) or episkopos (superintendent/overseer) which He does use for NT pastors mean "priest." Presbuteros or episkopos do not denote a unique sacrificial function, and hiereus (as archiereus=chief priests) is used in distinction to elders in such places as Lk. 22:66; Acts 22:5 .
This use of priest is defended by the use of an etymological fallacy, since "priest" etymologically is derived from presbyteros due to imposed functional equivalence.
The only way NT pastors are called "priests" is by way of inclusion in the general priesthood (hierateuma) of all believers as they all function as priests, offering both gifts and sacrifices response to being forgiven of sins, in thanksgiving and service to God and for others. (1Pt. 2:5,9; Rm. 12:1; 15:16; Phil. 2:17; 4:18; Heb. 13:15,16; cf. 9:9)
Also, i must ask when were you born again? What do you think of George Whitfield, and J. C. RYLE's "are you born again ?
Does the above describe you and your congregation?
And do you think they would remain in a church the accepts homosexuals?
In addition, your complaint reminds me somewhat of another post recently in which someone complained about finding some bugs in her rice or something.
Pastoral ministry is by no means easy if done with strong and sincere commitment, but i think you lack perspective, and perhaps more.
While not an ordained pastor, while i look forward to serving the Lord in being an instrument of the grace of the living Lord who gave me new life, yet I have often complained about some the Lord has called me to minister to who try my patience, and who seem to often call when i am about to eat, or late at night, but whom i answer and try to at least listen and respond. .
But I think one of the most dreadful words one can hear is, "Ye cannot serve the Lord," (Judges. 24:19) and to be put on the shelf, which can be in degrees. If you were in that position and then by God's grace you were restored, would you complain about a lack of appreciation or the burdens of ministry?
Or the attitude of Paul to the most carnal and time consuming church he had, which ran after some self proclaimed super apostles, and had to be reproved and reminded of who instrumentally birthed and nursed them:
"For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved." (2 Corinthians 12:13-15)
If the rich man in Hell could come back and serve the Lord, what would his attitude be?
As i said, sometimes perspective is needed. For men as well, but also for all pastors and "laity."
Why do idiots post leading questions?
Most “clergy” are simply nicolaitans, misleading the sheep.
Yeshua said that he hated them, didn’t he? (Revelation, letters to the churches)
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If you stay in ministry long enough, you will come to realize the truth that ministers/pastors are SERVANTS of God, sent forth to SERVE God through their service to those God sends to them. It takes a servant heart to do this successfully and you will know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Be an example of Jesus to your assembly - He came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Be sold out for Christ and leave the results to Him. See my tagline - it’s true!
Change your focus, and change your heart and you will not be offended - 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5:13-18, 22-26, Philippians 2:1-9
Did you know that on the Internet no one knows you are a typing dog?
You may claim to be Prince George if you wish and people are free to take your claim with a grain of salt.
If you are expecting to get respect on the Internet based on claiming to be an expert in some matter you are sadly deluded. Nobody is going to take your word as authority just because you claim to have some sort of title or piece of paper. You have to have a better argument then "because I say so."
Establish your authority with reason, logic and coherent arguments with links to supporting data. And even then be prepared to have people throw tomatoes at you. Because, after all, it is the Internet.
Let me first say that all Protestants are not necessarily true Christians. What true Christians despise is man-made religion, and every false way (which God Himself hates). True Christians are particularly not fond of that which “holds to a form of godliness, while denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). Now I’m not saying that you fall into this category, I don’t know you, nor what you believe. I’m simply sharing with you what I know and have observed of “professing Christianity” over a period of some 49 years. I am an active, ordained Southern Baptist, who currently pastors a church.
Why are you paying any attention to what anonymous posters on internet forums say?
If their feedback was meaningful, useful and/or important, it would not be provided anonymously.
People hide behind the anonymity of the internet to say things they would never say if it could be attributed to them personally.
It’s what makes the internet in general, and this forum in particular (FR) so amusing and such great sport.
You will knows them by their fruits and in this case by how nuts they are.
I wish you only the very best.
If you call yourself Protestant, most people in the USA think of Baptists or mega-kirk folks or congregational folks. They don't think of Anglican or Lutheran priests.
So, the unfortunate thing is that you aren't "Protestant" enough to most non-Catholic posters
Why do Catholics hate non-Catholics? Are these ‘Catholics’ really Christians?
Sir, is this a designation for a group of churches? Would you define, please? Just curious.
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