A modernist false teaching which often accompanies the “house-church-only” heresy is that of pastorless churches. This teaching insists that churches should not have and/or do not need to have pastors. Pastors, according to this teaching, are an unnecessary hindrance to the church, both spiritually and financially.
Please note that I am not referring here to churches which have been unable to find a pastor but are seeking. This Bible study refers specifically to the teaching that pastors are not necessary to the church.
It is useful to begin by asking the question, “who invented pastors, anyway?” Did some people just get together one day and decide, “hey, let's put a pastor over our church”?
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” [Ephesians 4:11]
It is God Himself who ordained pastors – they are part of His plan, His model. If someone insists that there is no need for a pastor in the church, then that's fine for them … as long as they realize that they are rejecting God's model and implementing their own plan based on human wisdom.
It is God Who calls pastors. He invented them.
The book of Jeremiah has a couple interesting references to pastors. God told Jeremiah that good pastors would be a part of the favor he would show if the people of Judah repented, turned from pursuing their own way, and went God's way.
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” [Jeremiah 3:15]
At the same time, God tells Jeremiah the result that bad, compromising pastors have had on the kingdom,
“For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.” [Jeremiah 10:21]
Paul writes to Timothy to say,
“This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” [I Timothy 3:1]
The words “bishop” (overseer – referring to the office) and “elder” (presidents over assemblies – referring to the authority) are used synonymously with “pastor” (shepherd – referring to the calling or function) throughout the New Testament. Paul says that if somebody desires this office, he desires a good thing.
Where, then, does that put us if we reject the concept of pastors in our churches?
- We reject God's model for the church [Ephesians 4:11]
- We reject God's blessing for us and the church [Jeremiah 3:15]
- We reject a good thing [I Timothy 3:1]
Interestingly, there are examples of some churches in the New Testament where there were no pastors. They were in Crete. Paul left Titus there specifically because of this problem.
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.” [Titus1:5]
Paul then goes on in the next verse to begin reiterating the qualifications for a pastor that he had given in his letter to Timothy.
So, the Bible's judgment on pastorless churches is that something is lacking. The thing that is lacking is the pastor.
Some churches have no pastor, but are still looking for one. They are still within God's plan since they are still seeking to use the Biblical model for the church.
Other churches have no pastor because they simply don't want one, or feel that having a pastor is unnecessary. These churches are operating outside of the Biblical model that God has provided for us.
Ultimately, churches are local, autonomous assemblies in the Biblical sense, and as such they may choose to manage their affairs any way they like. However, when we choose to step outside of the Biblical model and to reject God's plan, then we also reject part of the blessing He had prepared for us. Something may appear to be prudent to us according to human logic and transitory circumstances, but if it does not follow God's expressed will, then it's not a good thing.
We can choose what we want, but it's always better God's way. Always.
