Some of the men I have respected most have been clergymen. I do not support the concept of a professional clergy system, but I do love and appreciate many who might be considered clergy. Not all clergymen are truly elders/pastors, called of God. Many clergymen have not really even believed in the real Jesus in terms of the real Gospel.
There are other brothers who have desired to minister within the churchianity but not of the churchianity. They’ve gone the route of ordination and maybe seminary, but they minister as true brothers, not as part of the elite priesthood ruling over the “laity”.
All should recognize, also, that there are many brothers who have never been “ordained”, who clearly are not clergymen, but who have been called by God and who currently serve as elder/pastor and/or teacher with at least as much validity as any clergyman.
I support the freedom of an assembly to provide financial support for one or more of their elders. It’s not required in scripture and it’s not prohibited. This freedom has nothing to do with a professional clergy system.
I’ve lost a number of friends and co-workers in Christ to the professional clergy system. It doesn’t have to be that way. Many brothers who have a zeal and dedication for the Gospel and for making disciples and for edifying the Bride of Christ think they must naturally go on to become a professional clergyman. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Mothers, don’t let your children grow up to be clergymen!
There is no greater calling than to simply be a brother in Christ who desires to serve God and serve people.
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” 1 Timothy 3:1
There is no greater calling than to simply be a brother willing to lead and set an example, whether as an elder who helps to shepherd the flock, or an evangelist willing to live from the Gospel in a foreign land; or a brother willing to serve as a deacon , or who simply works for a living, functions as a father and husband, and fellowships with the Body of Christ.
There are many brothers, some clergy, some not, who have had a major impact in my life, for whom I am grateful to our Lord for their example and ministry and service.
Who Should Lead in the Body of Christ? – Commentary – Elders in the Church – Pastors – Support for Evangelists – Honor for Elders – Good things for Teachers – Questions About Churchianity vs. The Church – Counterfeit Christs: Is your pastor a one-man show? – The Evangelical Subculture
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