A lot of people have been asking how the church should approach the role of the pastor. It has been alarming how many church people have no Biblical understanding of this. Mel Menkle does a good job of summarizing this here at Author’s Den. Please take a look at it and share! My only concern is breaking that horrendous mindset that sees this as a position, not a calling. Even when Mel Menkle talks about a Bishop (overseer) most of us will think of a manager at the top of the pyramid, in a position we have created, educated according to the rules, pays his annual ordination fee, does a good enough job that he doesn’t get fired. Truth is, a bishop is an elder that God is using to minister to other’s. Not some position we have created and filled. Philippi had multiple people referred to as bishops or “overseers”. These men, “elders” certainly did not all have the same gifts or same abilities (and all certainly functioned mostly in their areas of giftedness), They were all called by the Holy Spirit to be spiritual leaders of God’s flock (Acts 20:28). This calling is recognizable by apostolic standards (2 Cor 8:16). Appointing was made by men with true apostolic calling. From a practical point of view you know them them by their spirit (1 John 4:1 – does not mean by the degree of comfort with your human spirit, but the homogeneity with the Holy Spirit).They bear spiritual fruit, have spiritual authority, move the flock towards the living God. Someone with this calling burning in their heart will certainly not be distracted by buildings, finances, waiting tables and rummage sales.
When God’s man is in a place and ministry that God has called him into, there is accountability. When it’s not a God thing, when we do it our own way none of this is necessarily true. The 12 tried this once and we have no idea how things went for Matthias (Act 1), apparently not much came of it. When God chose a man things happened!

p.s. Some of the most unlikely, ragtag people are shepherding God’s flock with true love and spiritual authority. At this very moment God is raising up a generation of leaders. It’s not about some “official” “church” position, it’s a function, a ministry – ordained by God and not by men. At best we recognize what God is doing and engage these called people in the body. Yes, leadership is needed, but it is God doing the calling.