Is a Pastor doing his job properly?

[JustABigKid]

I believe that the job of a pastor is to grow the members of the church spiritually through teaching and preaching.

So with that in mind if someone has to go to the pastor for decisions about everything is he really doing his job properly?

I could see a young person needing to get advice on spiritual matters and maybe some big decisions in life.

If I am to be a pastor one day should I not be able to get some answer on my own from God? How can a pastor say that a particular person would be good to work in another person's ministry if they have to go to him to make the simpliest decisions about what they should do?

Should there not be a point in a christians life if they are growing properly that God gives them the answer to their problems, questions and directs them without the help of a pastor?

Thoughts???

Thanks

 

[rsc2a]

I believe that the job of a pastor is to grow the members of the church spiritually through teaching and preaching....

And much, much more.

[quote author=JustABigKid]If I am to be a pastor one day should I not be able to get some answer on my own from God? How can a pastor say that a particular person would be good to work in another person's ministry if they have to go to him to make the simpliest decisions about what they should do?

Should there not be a point in a christians life if they are growing properly that God gives them the answer to their problems, questions and directs them without the help of a pastor?

Thoughts???

Thanks
[/quote]

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

 

[JustABigKid]

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.


[/quote]

I understand your point and believe that is true in big decisions in your life both spiritually and non-spiritual but for every decision in life?

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=JustABigKid]I understand your point and believe that is true in big decisions in your life both spiritually and non-spiritual but for every decision in life?[/quote]

I feel that anyone who feels the need to have every decision in their life validated somehow has other issues, and some unscrupulous people (including pastors) take this as an opportunity to control these individuals instead of offering help that could allow the individual to become more independent.  I also recognize that it could be different issues for different people (e.g. fear of failure, low self-esteem, co-dependency, etc) and may even be the result of more than one issue.

It is a primary job of a pastor to prepare others to do the works of ministry. If he isn't equipping people to be able to do this, the pastor is failing at his job. If he is creating an environment where people are wholly dependent on him for every decision, then he is, in fact, abusing his position.

 

[Ransom]

JustABigKid asked:

I believe that the job of a pastor is to grow the members of the church spiritually through teaching and preaching.

Amongst other things, sure.  Broadly speaking, he is responsible for the spiritual and moral oversight of the church, which involves more than just teaching and preaching.

So with that in mind if someone has to go to the pastor for decisions about everything is he really doing his job properly?

Again, more broadly speaking, is a Christian properly maturing in the faith if he feels he needs to know what "God's will" is for every decision (with or without the guidance of a pastor)?  I agree with your premise that the job of the pastor (or a job, at least) is to guide the congregation toward spiritual maturity.  But with greater maturity, of course, comes greater responsibility to do those things for oneself that a less mature person has done for him.  For example, as children, our parents told us when to go to bed, what to eat, what TV shows we could watch, and so forth.  As we grew older, they gave us more liberty to decide those things for ourselves.

I could see someone going to the pastor for guidance concerning decisions that are morally ambiguous or matters of conscience.  Those are the sorts of things I would hope he is trained to think through, and to guide my thinking when perhaps I can't reach a firm decision on a scriptural basis alone.  As Proverbs says, a lot of wise counselors are a blessing.

When it comes to other matters, though, such as whether to buy a house or car or some other big-ticket item, what school to go to, and so forth, I think it's quite possible that it lies outside the normal scope of his duties. Again, his wisdom might be valuable. But I don't think ordination necessarily provides him with a special insight into the local real-estate market or fuel economy.

 

[christundivided]

A good pastor will make it clear to his members that their decisions are their decisions. Good Pastors are well aware that what is good for one, might not be good for another. They don't need to know all the ins and outs of each members abilities or lack thereof. Only the Spirit of God knows such things. Good Pastors lead their congregations in following the daily leading of the Spirit of God.

 

[Just me]

As a good sheeple:  Ask your pastor which ground beef to buy... 80/20 or 85/15 before going to the store.  Don't draw the she bears out of the woods.

 

[Torrent v.3]

I think that if the Pastor is doing his job, leading by example and preaching and teaching the whole counsel of God, the person in the pew should be equipped to make wise decisions.  However, there are times when the person needs personal counsel.  As a matter of fact, I did this. I am in a mega-church.  I listen, pray, and try to apply the word of God as my Pastor preaches and teaches and leads.  But in this particular situation, I needed personal counsel.  He was willing to meet with me and hear my questions. He asked me a lot of questions to try and get to know me a little. He then gave me valuable, profitable counsel.  He did not, however, tell me what to do. He gave me some general direction and advised me to listen to the scriptures and God's voice leading me through the Spirit, the community of believers and my own conscience.  I thank God for my pastor.