Pastoral "Authority" or a Cool Drink of Kool-Aide?

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[calgal]

I found the below on a GCx website about "pastoral authority" ...  Does any of this bother any of you?  Frankly, I will never drink this kool-aide again, thank you Jim.

We believe that a God-ordained local church exists where God-ordained leadership exists (cf. Titus 1:5-9). Jesus Himself is the Chief Shepherd, while local pastors/elders provide leadership to His church. Because it is Jesus who assigns pastors/elders to shepherd His flock (cf. 1 Peter 5:1-4, Acts 20:17-18, 28; Hebrews 13:17), we believe that Christians are not fully under the authority of Christ unless they are also under the loving authority of pastor/elders. Christians have the right to choose whose pastoral shepherding they will respect, but they do not have the freedom to choose complete independence from pastoral authority.

The terms "pastor," "elder," and "bishop" are used interchangeably in the New Testament to refer to the same role of shepherd. They are not three distinct leadership roles in the church, but rather the same role and function (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-2). Our practice is to recognize the local church shepherds as "pastor/elders." These men may work full-time for the church and receive compensation, or may be bi-vocational (work full-time outside the church for compensation).

Pastors in the New Testament served together in plurality. We believe that this is the most biblical and effective way to shepherd the church. The pastors of New Life are accountable to one another and make decisions together. Major decisions are made through diligent prayer, congregational input, humble and honest discussion, and full consensus among the pastors. When God is leading, we can trust Him to lead the pastors together.

While every pastor has equal authority, they do not all have the same roles. Because of the spiritual gifts given to each Christian, the responsibilities of each pastor may vary according to their gifts and the needs of the church. The New Testament paints a picture of what defines a pastor. He is to be male (1 Timothy 2:12; 3:2; Titus 1:6); gifted by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28, Ephesians 4:11, Romans 12:6-8); able to teach and refute false teaching (1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:9); and have Christ-like character (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-8, 1 Peter 5:1-3). This last quality — character — is especially important in light of the authority that Jesus gives to pastors over the local church (cf. Hebrews 13:17). This authority is given to edify, protect, teach, and encourage believers (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:, not for "lording it over the flock" (1 Peter 5:3-4).

Pastors will give an account before God for how they exercised their authority, and all Christians will give a similar account for how they respected it (cf. Hebrews 13:17). Accordingly, the responsibilities of the pastors at this church consist primarily of being an example of Christ; diligently caring for the spiritual needs of the church; wisely and carefully considering church direction; faithfully praying for the church; and accurately and effectively teaching from Scripture. The members of the church have the responsibilities of being respectful and supportive; being open and honest about personal spiritual needs; praying for the spirituality welfare and wisdom of the pastors; and protecting the pastors from divisive slander and false accusations (cf. 1 Timothy 5:19-20).

Men are selected to become pastors  by the current pastors, with approval from the church members. Our desire is that pastors be recognized from within our own congregation (rather than being hired from other locations), after demonstrating spiritual development and faithful service. This ensures confidence in the knowledge of a man's character and love for the church.

[Linda]

Because it is Jesus who assigns pastors/elders to shepherd His flock (cf. 1 Peter 5:1-4, Acts 20:17-18, 28; Hebrews 13:17), we believe that Christians are not fully under the authority of Christ unless they are also under the loving authority of pastor/elders. Christians have the right to choose whose pastoral shepherding they will respect, but they do not have the freedom to choose complete independence from pastoral authority.

Whoa, Nellie!

Pastors will give an account before God for how they exercised their authority, and all Christians will give a similar account for how they respected it (cf. Hebrews 13:17).

Whoa, Nellie!

[calgal]

Exactly the portion that concerned me, Linda.

Reminds me of the logic in this excommunication transcript ...
http://gcxweb.org/Audio/ExcGaryHenke-02-11-1985.aspx

This was the time I was involved in the cult ... so glad I escaped from these crazies!

[Linda]

They don't comprehend that they have formed a priesthood. They criticize the Catholic church, but they have a system that is much more extreme and they don't even realize it. So very sad.

...for there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...

[calgal]

I agree.

It reminds me of when I was in the cult and as a new mother, I asked a few other young mothers to come for a play group. At the play group I shared with the other young mothers what I read in the scriptures that morning. The other mothers decided to do the same. The pastor's wife (did not have any children) found out and boy was I in trouble!

I was given very clear and strict directives: the bible could not be discussed unless what was shared was "pre-approved" by the pastor and only if the pastor's wife or the pastor was in attendance.

Wow.  That was the beginning to the end.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Dear Calgal,

I am so glad I am not a slave to that false religious authority anymore either.  Their abusive practices go on unchallenged even beyond what they say on paper.  Anything about caring for the flock by protecting them is the INVISIBLE wall surrounding their camp.  THEY DO NOT CARE FOR THE FLOCK, they subtly bully them with haughty domination.  The way they "care" about them is to intimidate them with "supremacy", with  stern and twisted "truths"  so that their flock will be apprehensive to EVER leave.  They must retain actual servants to carry the load of "building of their idol".  THEY CARE FIRST AND FOREMOST ABOUT THEIR SUCCESS AND REPUTATION AS A "CHURCH MOVEMENT" and will "take care of" any in their flock who try to say their practices are not biblically founded.    I'm sure you've read about some of these victims (brave enough to testify) here on this very site.

"Because you shove with flank and shoulder,
butting all the weak sheep with your horns
until you have driven them away."

I don't think this "driving them away" is driving from the false teaching, but from the One who really cares about them, their Real Help, their Saviour.  But our True Shepherd promises:

"I will save my flock,
and they will no longer be plundered."

_{Ezekiel 34:21}

Believing God for Removing GCx,

Janet


P.S.  You probably have read Ezekiel 34.  But if not, it will be most intriguing and very familiar to you.

[Neverbeengcm]

What?  Don't you believe that these guys are God? You mean to tell me that these pastors have actually lied to their flock?  

Well..I don't believe that any REAL Christian pastor would try to be so controlling. What kind of pastor training do they have.  I can only assume that their training is a lot like training for one of those infomercials where the loud salesman tries to make people believe that EVERYONE is buying the soft fuzzy sweaters for fish.

These guys (no I won't even call them pastors) seem to believe that God wants men to be superior in every way to women and that only men should make decsions of importance.  I dare them to tell Hillary Clinton or Michele Bachmann that.

[EverAStudent]

Link to blog on the need to rebuke pastors who eject people from the church:  http://craigwbooth.xanga.com/766723625/kicked-out-of-church/