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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

1058.0. "Advantages of Professional Clergy" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Unquenchable fire) Mon Feb 27 1995 21:44

The advantages of having full-time professional clergy....

Shalom,
Richard

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1058.1POWDML::FLANAGANI feel therefore I amWed Mar 01 1995 10:168
    A professional is available for preaching, teaching, and pastoring.
    
    Member burnout can be avoided.
    
    It is easier for the members to be able to rely on professional clergy.
    
    A professional may be able to handle delicate issues with more tact and
    distance when necessary.
1058.2MKOTS3::JMARTINYou-Had-Forty-Years!!!Wed Mar 01 1995 12:3533
    ZZ    The advantage is that every member of the church is empowered to
    ZZ    contribute time and energy to creating the kind of spiritual
    ZZ    community
    ZZ    desired.  Lay persons preach, provide pastoral care, and build the
    ZZ    community.
        
    ZZ    The hierarchical differences between layperson and clergy is
    ZZ    eliminated.
    
    Which is exactly the benefit of having a pastor.  
    
    1. A pastor is accountable for the spiritual maturity needed in
       leadership.
    2. The pastor is accountable to the body of believers for upholding the
       tenents of the church doctrine
    3. A pastor is an undershepherd and is responsible to God for the
       flock.
       (In Revelation, the pastor is referred to as the candlestick of a
        church)
    4. A pastor is not an employee of the church but the church is his
       ministry.
    5. The pastor is the focal point for setting the spiritual tone of the
       church.
    6. The church hierarchy is a bible requirement as prescribed by the
       letters to Timothy and Titus.
    
    It is important to remember that Jesus said, "He who is greatest among
    men must be a servant to all.  This especially applies to the church
    hierarchy.  Jesus demonstrated this by washing the feet of the
    apostles.  Even when Peter said, you shall not wash my feet, Jesus
    said, "Unless you let me wash your feet, you will have no part of me."
    
    -Jack 
1058.3CSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireWed Mar 01 1995 15:407
With professional clergy, you have someone to blaim when contributions
fail to roll in, when attendance in worship and programming drops, and
when morale is low.

Shalom,
Richard

1058.4CSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireWed Mar 01 1995 15:528
    .2
    
    Having served in a pastoral capacity myself, I know that a pastor
    need not be professional clergy.
    
    Shalom,
    Richard
    
1058.5MKOTS3::JMARTINYou-Had-Forty-Years!!!Wed Mar 01 1995 16:247
    True...Pastor/Teacher is actually a gift of the Holy Spirit.
    
    However, I firmly believe a pastor must be mature in the faith and I
    believe a church needs to adhere to the precepts described in Timothy
    and Titus.
    
    -Jack
1058.6CSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireWed Mar 01 1995 20:376
    Some collectivities have no professional clergy.  This is not to say
    that they don't have overseers and helpers.
    
    Shalom,
    Richard
    
1058.7Eliminate all Hierarchy!POWDML::FLANAGANI feel therefore I amThu Mar 02 1995 10:4715
    The Reign of the divine on earth will occur when there is no need for
    some members who are higher or more equal than others.  When Christ or
    another Divine Principle resides in each person and each person resides
    in the divine.  When all persons are empowered to live together in
    mutuality and contribute to the building up of the entire community.
    
    Professional Clergy is needed because this remains an unachievable goal
    and A Professional is often more able to contribute the time and energy 
    needed to bring us closer to that vision.
    
    In my Faith Tradition, the Clergyperson is but one member of the
    community.  The Community is a prophethood of all believers.
    
    
                                    Patricia
1058.8EducationCSC32::J_CHRISTIEUnquenchable fireThu Mar 02 1995 12:567
As I see it, the real benefit of professional clergy is in their education,
although I readily admit those who become professionals aren't always
recipients of formal training.

Shalom,
Richard