Within the Roman Catholic Church the title Pastor (Father, Priest, Reverend, etc) is a title that is earned by a select few. There are Protestants who simply claim the title of Pastor and start their own church. These days you can be ordained over the internet! Here is a actual quote from one of the many ordaining websites: "After you receive ordination from XXXX XXXXX Ministries you will have the authority to do what thousands of people we ordained are now doing, perform a wedding ceremony. This is a wonderful opportunity to earn extra money to support yourself and family and your ministry" another site says "you can officiate one wedding ceremony or you can make weddings, funerals, baptisms, house blessings, etc. your business. You can even start your own ministry. You can become a legally ordained minister, instantly, online" God is now a home based business! I meet people all the time who tell me they are a Pastor. Senior Pastor, Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor. Singles Pastor, Outreach Pastor. A Pastor is responsible for nothing less then souls and not just anyone should take on that responsibility. James tells us in the bible "Let Not Many Of You Become Teachers" (3:1-12) James does not say, "Let not many of you BE teachers" but rather, "Let not many of you BECOME teachers". This passage is not just a rebuke of those who try to BE teachers before they are ready, but a warning that many should not even BECOME teachers in the future! It is a mistake to believe that EVERYONE should become a teacher at some point in their service to Christ! Teachers shall receive "a stricter judgment" There is a grave responsibility involved in teaching others. We can lead people to TRUTH - but we just as easily lead them to ERROR! Many are doing just that. Those who teach will be held accountable if they mislead others but what about the poor souls who follow these teachers? There are a few things a Pastor should NOT be...
1. A Pastor should NOT be married much less have children. Christ says "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I" In marriage, a man and woman vow to place each other second only to God. If you are married, your wife and children should be first on your priority list. That puts your parishioners third on the list and is unacceptable. A true Pastor is married to the Church and has dedicated his entire life to such. He should have an undivided heart. 1 Cor.32-33: "An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affiars - how can he please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world- how he can please his wife and his interests are divided"
2. A Pastor should NOT be a woman. This is not a sexist comment. Read the Bible.
3. A Pastor should NOT start his own church. God has not called anyone to build a church on their own. Christ will build his church as he has done for thousands of years.
4. A Pastor should NOT be ordained by those without authority to do so. (That includes the internet.)A Bishop has the sole responsibility to ordain. He assigns priests, allows new parishes and churches to be developed. He must oversee all moral teaching and Scripture.
A Pastor should be called by God to serve only him. You can serve Christ and the church without become a Pastor. Too many people are following men who have not earned, and should not be given the title or responsibility of Pastor. This is one of the reasons for the mass confusion among Christians today. Being a nice guy and having good intentions does not qualify one to guide souls on a righteous path to Heaven. I would carefully examine who you choose to Shepard you in this life and know that few are truly Pastors no matter what them call themselves.
"Let us pray for heretics and schismatics: that Our Lord God would be pleased to rescue them from all their errors; and recall them to our Holy Mother the Catholic and Apostolic Church."
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