I hear this a lot between Jesus and David, both being shepherd. But how is Jesus the ultimate shepherd over David? Can you guys help me? I tried asking my pastors and they just say: "because He is God."

NPR has been reporting on this topic in the past few days1 and from my understanding this won't necessarily affect local congregations. Southern Baptist Convention website states : >Jesus Christ is the head of the local church—we are not. Each church is responsible before God for the policies it sets and decisions it makes. or Article XIV >Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. **My question is**: Will this have any other side effects/impacts besides changing the constitution and having fewer congregations part of the convention? Will this affect SBC relationship with Woman’s Missionary Union ? The SBC FAQ also states >The Convention recognizes the biblical language concerning the office of pastor. The BF&M statement says, “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the **office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture**.” The passages that assign the office of pastor to men do not negate the essential equality of men and women before God, but rather focus on the assignment of roles. making the whole topic is slightly confusing, i.e. is this vote to make this policy more official as part of the constitution and will there be fewer side effects then predicted? Related: - What is the biblical justification for permitting female pastors? - In a congregationalist church, who is in charge and what does this imply for women in authoritative roles? 1 See [this article](https://www.npr.org/2024/06/11/nx-s1-4996537/southern-baptist-convention-will-decide-whether-to-expel-churches-with-women-pastors) (6/11/24), [this article](https://www.npr.org/2024/06/12/nx-s1-5002004/southern-baptist-convention-set-to-vote-on-whether-to-ban-female-pastors) (6/12/24), [this article](https://www.npr.org/2024/06/04/nx-s1-4992298/southern-baptists-are-meeting-in-indianapolis-and-they-have-a-full-agenda) (6/4/24)

There are many Christian pastors, scholars, and theologians who are positive they have the correct interpretation of the unpardonable sin. There isn’t a universal interpretation that everyone agrees on. I assume they all take into account verses such as John 7:37-38, 1 John 1:8–9, Hebrew 7:25, John 6:44, and Romans 10:9-10 when forming their interpretations. Questions 1. Can it be correctly said that all interpretations by pastors and theologians on the unpardonable sin, involve a rejection of Jesus within the interpretation, or involve non-repentance? I don’t believe any interpretation to be correct if it implies that after said interpretation occurs, one could be denied by our Lord if they repent and believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord and they call on His Name. Based on so many other verses, that interpretation is just unBiblical. 1. If some pastors or theologians think otherwise, do they ever attempt to explain their view of the unpardonable sin and how it would hermeneutically fit within the rest of scripture, without contradictions? Looking for common ground within interpretations of this sin by theologians and pastors. I know of folks who are terrified they may have accidentally committed this sin. (I asked these similar questions in a different community on this site but didn’t get a lot of answers due to it being the incorrect community, I think by the site’s guidelines, to ask in.) The unpardonable sin verse I have been referring to is Matthew 12:31-32: >**31** And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. **32** Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

It seems that that [1Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB)](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%202:12-14&version=NASB) says that women shouldn't be pastors. But there are many denominations that allow this. >[1 Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB)](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%202:12-14&version=NASB)
> **12** But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a > man, but to remain quiet. > **13** For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. > **14** And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being > deceived, fell into transgression. This idea also seems supported by the [command that women should remain *silent* in church (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2014:34-35&version=NASB) . What is the biblical basis for allowing women to preach or be a pastor? Specifically, what is the biblical basis of the doctrine of [ordination of women](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordination_of_women#Christianity) ? Also, how do the followers of this doctrine reconcile their beliefs with that of [1 Timothy](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%202:12-14&version=NASB) and [1 Corinthians 14:34-35](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2014:34-35&version=NASB) above?

We read in Acts 28 how St. Paul survived the bite of a deadly viper in the Island Melita. In fact, we seldom come across Christian missionaries, pastors, or clergymen getting killed by snakebite. One exception is the case of Jamie Coot, the Pentecost pastor of Kentucky who was bitten to death by the rattlesnake he was handling during a service in Feb, 2014. One is inclined to believe that Christian pastors and clergymen, including those working in forested areas, enjoy a sort of God-given privilege, as was the case of St Paul, against death due to snake-bite. However, this assumption needs to be checked for factual veracity. **Have there been reports of death of Christian pastors or clergymen on account of snakebite in the history of the Church?**

After the Splintering of the Protestant Revolt, there have been many men who are famous as Pastors and Preachers even up to the present day, the Billy Grahams the Joel Olstiens, John McArthurs, an Ellen G. White and so on. My questions is, are there any famous Biblical Pastors before the 15th century that were not Catholic or Catholic-Orthodox priests or bishops or members of the Catholic or Catholic Orthodox Churches? Someone who for example, did not celebrate the traditional sacrament of the Mass?

I have noticed that some Lutheran churches refer to their ministers as "priests" while others refer to their ministers as "pastors." When did some Lutheran churches cease using "priest" in favor of "pastor"? What is the foremost reason for this change in terminology? Conversely, why did some Lutheran churches continue using the word "priest"?

Why would a church choose to ‘commission’ female as pastors and ‘ordain’ male pastors? Is there a difference?

I have some objections to some of the things my pastor teachers. I understand my pastor is ordained by God, but does that mean we should never question them on things we see as bad doctrine? What are some prominent views of Protestant theologians on this topic?

I have recently, within the last year or so, begun to notice the sometimes reference to Catholic Pastors. I assume that this term is in reference to Priests. I grew up Catholic and attended Catholic school, in 18 years, never heard the term Pastor within that context. Is the term Pastor within the Catholic church synonymous with Priest and, if so, is it's usage recent, regional, or did I just not notice for 18 years? Answers to this question, https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/69115/are-roman-catholic-priests-ever-addressed-as-pastor , seem to indicate that this usage is limited to the US only. Does this mean that it's usage within Catholicism is less than 300 years old?

I don't know if was a book, article, or interview, but recently I read a document which contained 30-50 question and answer items related to women as pastors. I know it was by John Piper and potentially co-written by another author or pastor.

In most denominations, ordination refers to the process of being officially recognized and established by an ecclesiastical authority like an elder, a bishop, or a cardinal to be a minister. Given the independent nature of most baptist churches, it's unclear who is doing the ordination and what it means.

From Wikipedia article "Worship pastor" > A Worship Pastor usually refers to a person in some Christian > churches, largely in North America, who ministers within the church > via music performance, as well as counseling and pastoring members of > the church's music team. > > This is a distinct role within a church, that contains elements of, > and overlaps with some of the roles of a church music director and > pastor, while being neither. Usually a worship pastor will also be > considered a worship leader of the church with the added > responsibilities of caring for members of a team, including other > worship leaders. A prominent Worship Pastor that I know is Darlene Zschech , the former worship pastor of Hillsong Church, who composed one of the most well-known modern worship songs, *"Shout to the Lord"*. - When did the term "Worship Pastor" originate? - Is this use of the term very recent? - Which denominations have Worship Pastors?

As a Baptist, while I don't know of any specific requirements for a pastor, it is generally accepted that a head pastor would have some sort of seminary education, be it a Masters or even a Doctorate degree. That is certainly the way that it has been at all of the churches I have attended in America. I understand that the notion of a seminary, at least the sort of seminary that we have today, didn't exist when the Bible was written. But is there any biblical basis for requiring that a pastor or other leader have some level of training or education? I can appreciate the fact that people can serve in different ways regardless of their education or background, but in what ways does the Bible support the pastor or leader being educated?

Anecdotally, I know a lot of bi-vocational and second-career pastors who came from IT. At seminary, I saw a lot of them, and 2 of the 4 pastors at my current church have this background. I remember reading [William Willimon](http://www.amazon.com/Pastor-Theology-Practice-Ordained-Ministry/dp/0687045320) who essentially said there were really only three kinds of professionals who had to read texts closely: lawyers, IT folk, and pastors. That has stuck with me, and led me to see a natural flow from IT to the pastorate. My question is - [do I just notice this because of my own IT background](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias) , or is there any sort of statistical evidence that would bear this out? Where could I find a good data source to see first careers of second-career pastorates in the United States?

Consider these scriptures: > "And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but > be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and > spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, > giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of > our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of > Christ." Ephesians 5:18-21 > > "Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching > and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, > and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians > 3:16 > > "What then is the conclusion, brothers? Whenever you come together, > each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, another language, or > an interpretation. All things must be done for edification." 1 > Corinthians 14:26 > > "For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and > everyone may be encouraged." 1 Corinthians 14:31 Why is it that only one person teaches during the meeting of the saints (the church meeting)? Isn't this contrary to what scripture is teaching? If it is not contrary to scripture, is there any evidence in the New Testament for having a "single teacher" in the church meeting? I can't seem to find any evidence for this church practice in Scripture, so I'm wondering if this is a church tradition that is perhaps against the teachings of Scripture. What I understand from the above passages (even read in context), is that everyone in the church has a responsibility to exercise the gifts that have been imparted to them by the Holy Spirit. If we are not participating in the active leadership of this meeting (by teaching, prophesying, and singing, for example), then we aren't we being passive and not fulfilling the call of the church?

Why is it common for pastors to advocate leadership (including their own) when it is easy to conclude that it is anti-biblical according to what Jesus had said? "Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ." - Matthew 23:10 NASB Note: some translations use "instructors" or "teachers" instead of "leaders" Clarification: I would like someone to try their best to explain the original context of what Jesus said here. Preferably including Greek references.

I recently moved from home after college, starting my own life and all, and am currently looking for a church I can join and become part of. In my country, we have had many cases of 'fake' pastors and preachers - adulterers, fake miracles, others greedy for power, fame and money, etc. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus says that you shall recognize them by their fruits. > 15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. > 16: You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? > 17: Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. > 18: A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. > 19: Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. > 20: Why by their fruits you shall know them. Which are these fruits? How can I distinguish between a real and a fake pastor without waiting for them to appear on the news for having done some crazy scheme somewhere? Is there a way I can know them at first glance or something?