One of the craziest aspects of contemporary Christianity is the baseless existence of pastoral authority. It is amazing how something so basic as Jesus command not to create a rank and file system can be overlooked by the ENTIRE body of believers. Indeed, the need for pastoral authority is never even implied in the scriptures. What is discussed with appropriate emphasis is the need for a group of men that will lead by example in every community of faith. These men, referred to as elders, are usually older men who have shown themselves to be faithful to their own families, wise in their personal dealings, and passionate about the pursuit of sound doctrine. Never does the Bible imply nor permit single elder government. This is Roman-style theology and was criticized by Jesus Himself. Furthermore, it encourages the abuses and incorrect doctrines we see and hear every day coming out the mouth of our precious modern church.

We see in the first chapter of 3 John how Diotrephes was able to manipulate the assembly through his heavy absolute rulership, keeping even the disciples away from the people. The ISV says it best in 1:9:

"I wrote a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, will not accept us."

Common Sense

Above and beyond Jesus' many warnings about believers exercising authority over each other, single-elder government makes no logistical sense when it comes to being the Church that Jesus birthed. It creates several artificial strongholds that Jesus actually freed us from and cripples the Christian into submission to a human being that is no further along the road than they are.

You Can't Be a Teacher Forever

Let's say that there is this professor who teaches mathematics. Year after year, he teaches his students through lectures and personal relationship. Whenever they have a question, the professor diligently finds the answers and provides the students with his informed opinion. He does this week after week, year and year. But, the curious thing about it this teacher is that his students never quite change. For some reason, he always seems to know more than his students, and the students are no more prepared to answer the questions on their own than they were when they started. The professor would be fired for failure to properly educate and prepare his students for the real world.

This is the current state of the church. Are pastors such gurus that you can spend a lifetime serving them without ever become equal to them, or even greater? It's funny to think that Contemporary Christianity is the only religion that promotes this idea of its leaders being a never-ending fountain of truth. Meanwhile, over 2,000 years ago, Jesus gave us the answer to this puzzle when he stated that none of us should be called teacher, that we should not exercise authority over each other, and that the servant is never greater than the master. Reconciling those three ideas immediately discredits the pastorate as we know it, and suggests that it must be abolished.

What Gives You the Right?

I am amazed at the fact that so few people ever ask themselves the most obvious and critical question you can ask yourself about a pastor - who made him a pastor? Today's simple answer is that he was "called by God". Others state that an organization recognized their calling and ordained them. But, who gave that organization the authority to do so? Where is today's concept of ordination in scripture? The Apostles first appointed men to correct doctrine, but who appointed the pastor to decide upon, teach, preach, and correct doctrine all at once? What doctrine are you going to correct if you are the only one talking? Anyone who does not agree with you. That's the answer.

Who Corrects the "Man of God"?

I am so tired of hearing about Christians who have been hurt by church leaders, but state that they did not move to correct them because they did not want to "touch God's anointed". King David's words are twisted to brainwash people into believing that their leaders are so "anointed" that they are above reproach. The reality is that no leader is "God's anointed". The phrase refers to the person who was "anointed" to be KING. Is your pastor KING? Of course not - the Holy Spirit is! We know it is unforgivable to blaspheme the Holy Spirit - but is it wrong to question, correct, and even debate with your pastor? Not unless He is part of the Trinity. Otherwise, he is no more "anointed" than you!

Every Christian is a brother or a sister who should be trying to compete to serve the other in a greater way. What is the New Testament's perspective on the pastorate? It is quite silent on the issue, except to say that SOME Christians are given pastors to help build them up. Understanding what that means is crucial for anyone who feels they are called to "pastor" (shepherd) people.

A Watchman Not A Leader

If you study what a shepherd does, you will find that the contemporary church has a completely twisted view of what God actually called pastors to do. Shepherds do not lead the sheep - they watch over them. They protect them from getting hurt. They put themselves in danger in order to keep the sheep safe. It is hunger for nutrients and the voice of the OWNER of the sheep that leads them.

When does a Christian need a pastor? It should be obvious that it is when they are moving in a dangerous direction. At that point, someone who God chooses to use in that capacity should step up from the fellow believers around them and "pastor" the person into health. This can be a friend, loved one, family member, or even a stranger. It may happen through the correction of doctrine, helping to solve disputes, or confronting bad behavior. This is not done through "pastoral authority" reserved for the Most Holy Reverend Bishop Bob. It is powered by love for the fellow believer and a relationship that is close enough that these things can be discussed and dealt with. Best of all, when the time comes, it will be the "pastor's" turn to be shepherded by a brother, perhaps the one he once helped. Isn't that beautiful?

If you feel that God has called you to be a shepherd, congratulations! But, realize that your seminary certificate and shallow "ministerial covering" won't do anything to fulfill that purpose. Instead, your mission should be to find the answers to the problems people are going through. If you are feeling the need to help solve problems and protect people from harm, then you might just be made for this. By doing so, you are fulfilling the calling of Jesus to the Church. You are giving your life for your friends and setting them free from their own demons. But, that does not grant you promotion, authority, or special rights. It forces you into servanthood.

You never have to preach a sermon. You don't have to quit your job to "go full-time". You don't have to be a seminary graduate. You don't even have to learn how to counsel. Just get involved in peoples' lives and help solve problems. Build relationships. Be an example to your family that doesn't believe in Christ. Love them and show them the way to freedom. That, after all, is the Good News. Jesus death and resurrection is the eternal part of the story. But, before Jesus died, he described His Gospel as FREEDOM to those that were in captivity. He was the champion of the underdog.

To Pastors

If you are currently serving as a pastor in authority over a church, know that there is time to rethink your position and realign yourself with the Word of God. Isn't it time to synchronize with the teachings of Christ and relinquish your titles? Wouldn't you serve your brethren better by being on the same level and living as they do instead of having them support your "sanctified" lifestyle? Let's rethink what God has asked us to do, and reject man's version of the church!

Are you shepherding or presiding? Are you serving or dictating? Are you exercising loving compassion, or exerting authority that is not yours?