In the past couple of weeks, I have pulled from the book Apostolic Church Arising by Chuck Pierce and Robert Heidler. If you are interested in understanding this topic better, you may want to purchase a copy of the book.
Some pastors are apostles (church planters nationally, and internationally; visionaries; strong leaders empowered by Holy Spirit). Some are prophets, but not allowed to prophecy, because the “church” might be offended and not understand. Some pastors are teachers and some are evangelists (page 65).
Many pastors are trying to do something God never created them to do.
“Because Constantine wanted a church he could control, he modeled the “Church” after his pagan religion of Mithras (Mithra was the god of the sun). Every pagan temple was run by one man, a priest. They called him “father.” The high priest of Mithras wore a ring and a red hat called a “miter.” His symbols were the shepherd’s crook, and the key, and he ruled from his temple on Vatican Hill in Rome. Mithraism was actually the foundation of the medieval Church” (pages 67-68).
The pastoral church originated in the pagan religion of Mithraism which was a mystery religion. The priests were allowed to know sacred truth but the people were held in ignorance.
The Key to Change
The first step is to get rid of old wineskin mentality. When we walk into church, we ask “who is the pastor?” Our questions should be, “Who is the apostle here? Who is your prophet and who is your teacher?”
To change we must change our thinking (page 69).
“Teachers teach the Bible and evangelists bring people to Jesus. Pastors love, nurture, heal and comfort and strengthen the flock” (page 70). A church could have a primary gifted teacher, apostle and prophet and many pastors who attend to the congregation. In the apostolic model, pastors are not necessarily paid positions.
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