[Eph 4:11] 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
A person I met titled as “pastor” once said to me he is looking for a church to pastor. I asked him why he needs a specific “church,” and asked if he knew what a pastor is. He sort of looked at me blankly.
“Pastor” is the Latin for “shepherd.” It is not capitalized as an office or title, but of a function or role. Jesus assigns some in functions, expected to do the duty of. A “Shepherd” is not a lord (see 1Pet 5), nor a task master, and not a manager of an organization, but a nurturer of sheep to bring them up in maturity. I asked the person why they feel they need to serve an office and function under a “church” to do the function called. He said because without a building they have no place to do it in to be recognized in the office. I told the person, just find people needing nurturing in the faith, and bring them in and teach them; despite the place or official “brand.” He said, “That’s not the way we do it.” You see, we have been given the wrong mindset of the purpose.
The origin of the function was not to build a brand, or run an organization, or create a life-long dependency upon one man. Not meant as an office to dominate their lives and make them serve THEM or THEIR vision. That is a traditional expectation, not a biblical one. It is really the CHIEF SERVANT that comes alongside others to emphasize the person whom they are to nurture and help in THEIR purpose. Yes, many mask their role of dominance by using this modern term “Servant Leader”, but that is a ploy to get people under them. They expect to be the highlight (hence why they stand on “an ALTAR”) and be served along with their “business.”
That takes away the purpose of the meeting as the organic assembly of saints to edify one another (Hebrews 10:25). Many emphasize the facility (as the church) and spend WAY too much effort on the building than the people. And more on the vision of the one man rather than nurturing the function of those whom they are caring for. Probably why I have since left the traditional form, as not recognizing it as authentic in the true manner, and became disgusted seeing the same contaminated aspects continue across the board (even if eventually). It’s no excuse not to assemble, which I have held home groups and have hosted fellowships, however, finding those willing to recognize this breach is difficult in our culture, and many are accustomed to the facade. I prefer the intimacy of the small group who are naturally interactive rather than the larger pulpit talk-down-to format.
By the way, those functions mentioned I DO believe they exist today, just not in the traditional sense we see today of abuse, authority, and needing a formal office to operate. I don’t believe in those running around claiming title of “Prophet” to rely upon to bring us a word, nor in the “pastor” as a title to be revered as head of the organization, nor of the one who expects an International treatment as Evangelist so-and-so, nor in the teacher who emphasizes they are God’s messenger to bring you the one CORRECT interpretation who writes books for you to buy, nor in the apostle claiming authority in this new age of an appointed and anointed office God has raised up. The apostle does not self appoint himself to high office, but is one sent forth with a message, or perhaps to put together an assembly. A prophet may express IN ACCORDANCE TO GOD’s WORD and principles to convey a message from God to the others, with the rest judging. That became the foundation of the body (assembly). The evangelist specializes in the manner in which to reach others with the gospel, and the pastor (shepherd) being able to nurture those who receive and God converts, and teach them the Word. In simple manner this sounds plausible as the natural humble process. In our congested community of tradition it seems like competition of authority of office and presence.