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There is always some wiggle room when it comes to Elders. Let me explain...
Some churches have more than 1 (one) Pastor. Generally... the senior Pastor is an Elder, and not the others. Some churches include all the Pastors... youth, worship, associate.... but it then makes it difficult to move from item to item on the agenda... when meeting to do God's work.
I'd like to add... Elders (excluding the Pastors) in my mind, should not be overt in their identity.... meaning "keep a low profile"... not hidden, but not walking around saying "look at me". St. Francis Asissi said "preach the Gospel always... and sometimes use words".
Elders are the bones... the part inside that supports everything else. Healthy bones are good, but should stay out of view... (skeletons are scary).
are we getting there yet?
So in your church, a pastor is more or less a preacher/elder combined?
It's not to me...lol. So your other 5 pastors are preachers?
The other pastors have different roles, and yes they preach but not to the general congregation ... worship pastor ... primarily music and small groups, outreach pastor... goes and preaches in the community, children's pastor, middle school pastor, high school pastor, Spanish pastor etc. Each performs a pastoral function within their calling and manages their related ministries... and are accountable to the senior pastor. Of course they can fill in for the senior pastor when he can not preach, to the general congregation.
The Disciples had different roles, and so to ... pastors have different callings... strengths and weaknesses. As churches increase in size it becomes evident that God's work can be better performed as "smaller" or more specific ministries.... to meet their spiritual needs. A 5 year old has different needs then a 50 yr old. All receive the good news but in a manner they can relate to.
so ..........is it biblical for a preacher to also be an elder? and could I have scripture ref for that??? we are having a big deal in our church right now??
so ..........is it biblical for a preacher to also be an elder? and could I have scripture ref for that??? we are having a big deal in our church right now??
The term 'Preacher' is not a phrase used in the NT.
So the directions that God has given to us is rather lacking in terms of who should be a 'preacher' or what they do.
I suppose that an 'elder' could be a 'preacher'.
The guidance that we are given is very specific and deals with how to select leaders [elders, bishops, deacons] and what their role is in the church. These terms seem to be used kind of inter-changibly. They are all leaders in the church [below Christ being the head].
so then biblically, it is right for the senior minister to be an elder??
Absolutely.
The Bible is very clear that an elder is selected by how he has raised his children. Any one who has not raised children, or who is not married, or who is not even senior would never qualify to be in a leadership position according to our Bibles teachings.
However when it comes to a special person with the title of 'minister' you see, they are a position that man has came up with. Not really anything from the Bible at all. Such a 'minister' could be anyone.
The great divide that has came into place between clergy and laity; is entirely a development from man. It is very hard to justify such a divide when reading the Bible.
All are sinners, all are called. Some hear and respond to God's calling, and become believers. From among those who do believe only the senior men who have good reputations, long-term marriages and have raised children, can be considered to be elders. That seems to be the only real distinction between believers in the Bible.
All believers are sons of God, brothers of Jesus; and all have a ministry. In the Bible's teachings we are all ministers. The Bible lists five ministries. We may each have a ministry: pastor, prophet, evangelist, apostle, or teacher.
The elders are chosen to over-see the collections and to distribute to the widows; while each of us carry about our ministry.
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