The way that the definition of pastor has changed in my life.

Have you ever saw someone who held the office of Pastor and commented on how they were different because they were a real pastor, or have you ever thought that someone was a good preacher and or teacher and not a pastor?  Those types of thoughts show that there is a difference between someone holding the office of Pastor and being a pastor.  In other words these are 2 separate things.  Growing up I use to hear a cliche' that went;  "Preachers come a dime a dozen, but a pastor is hard to come by".  This too shows that the office of Pastor and the gifting to be a pastor is two different things.

So, what is the difference?  Can a person be both:  gifted as a pastor and hold the office of Pastor?  I believe that someone can be both, but the office can get in the way of using the gift of pastor.  I see the differences this way.  To hold the office of Pastor is to be the CEO of a corporation.  A Pastor overs sees the business of church.  He must be involved in the financial bottom line of the corporation (even with a finesse committee).  He oversees the programs of the corporation.  He is also the salesman of the corporation.

I believe that a person who has been gifted to be a pastor is really just a bell cow or in this case a bell sheep.  A bell sheep would be a sheep that knows the Shepherd and is experienced at following Him.  The Shepherd buts the bell on that sheep, so that as that sheep is moving as the Shepherd wants, the newer sheep will hear the bell and move with him.  In this way, they too will learn the ways of the Shepherd and someday will be bell sheep themselves.  To put this in human terms, a true pastor is someone who walks and loves like God.  Someone that you can go to for advice.  Someone you can go to in times of trouble.  Someone who you know will love you even when they do not agree with you.  They will be honest with you while loving you.  Someone who really does not need to tell you about God, because to be with that person is to be with and see God and to know the love of God.  A true pastor is intimately involved in other peoples lives and not hiding behind Secretaries in an office down the hall.

 Jesus once said to not call people Father, Teacher, or Rabbi because they were not God,  I believe that Jesus was telling us to not put people between us and God.  To elevate someone in this matter can really usurp the role of The Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is to be our guide, teacher, the one who convicts us, our comforter.  In short He is God in us.  

I have come to a funny point in my life.  I still enjoy listening to good expository preaching, but I no longer acknowledge the office of Pastor in regards to my life.  I have many friends and family to do see the need for a Pastor and I have friends to hold the office of pastor and I do not mean to condemn any of them or anyone else with my beliefs.  Even though our beliefs may be different on this I respect and honor you for your beliefs.  These are just that, my beliefs.  They are between me and God and  everyone else needs to approach God the Father about this for themselves.

It is my wish that everyone will know the Love of God for themselves and dwell in that Love to the point that when others see you, they are really seeing God's love through you.

Dennis