The rise of The Pastor, whether cool or not, seems unbiblical. Paul was a true “superstar” apostle in substance, but he refused to allow himself to be elevated (he made fun of the “so-called” super apostles, who would have showed up in a tour bus if they could have!). In his letters he charged ALL believers as responsible for the health of the body. There were no professionals. No one was “too big” to be humbled or corrected.
I’d suggest the modern church, in so many cases, is no different that ancient Israel, crying out “Give us a King!” Someone to be our figurehead, someone to learn of God for us, someone to talk to God for us so we don’t have to hear his dreadful VOICE!
Someone to be our fleshy success substitute. This is why people give money, cars, houses, etc. to their “pastors”. They call it “love” but it’s pure worship of their earthly king.
The only man believers should have as a king is THE Man, Christ Jesus. He is found outside the camp, in the place of rejection. Who in the tour bus crowd wants that?!?
“The rise of The Pastor, whether cool or not, seems unbiblical.”
It is. The practice of having one man be the leading head of a church comes from the ancient early Catholic church and their priests. The Reformation happened but the practice of having one man as “the leader” was not challenged for the most part.
“I’d suggest the modern church, in so many cases, is no different that ancient Israel, crying out “Give us a King!””
Absolutely right.
I wish that 8 years ago when I chose the screenname “PastorBooks” that I had chosen something different. I thought differently back then.
Well said.
I’ve never thought that the title ‘reverend’ was fit for anyone less than Jesus Christ.