The Church, the Body of Christ, is not dependent on “pastors”, “fathers”, “rabbis”, or “popes”.
We remain together, often as a remnant, because we are one in Christ. Meaning the Lord Jesus Christ and non-other.
The Word of God and the Holy Spirit instruct and guide believers and lovers in Christ in the Way we should go. We follow Him alone.
Dependence on “pastors” and other hired leaders from the congregation has brought many in the Church of Lord Jesus Christ to laziness of belief, laxity of fervent prayer, and blame shifting away from the assigned personal responsibilities of each believer.
You know, I was speaking to a friend earlier who said that, as things progress here in this country with the loss of liberties for the church, we probably are going to move “underground,” and rather than actual pastors there will be lay people. But still, a good shepherd that the Good Shepherd places over a flock, if he is truly in the Word and led by the Spirit, can be of true encouragement and exhortation in these trying times.
Thank you for your reply! And sorry I didn’t answer sooner. May the Lord bless you!