Well done brother! You've laid it out in a comprehensive, clear way that anyone can see the truth. It makes me glad that as I reflect on this I see my church being shepherded in the proper way. This should be a must read for all aspiring church leaders.
Hug your pastor! That gives me hope because it is a rarity nowadays. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment; I appreciate it more than you know! Have a blessed weekend, brother! Shalom!
Not all who are reformed fit the molds you’re referring too. I know I don’t.
Paul uses deacon and elder interchangeably and they both aim towards serving humbly like Yeshua. We teach this. No bishops no priests no apostles none of those silly titles.
If we don’t have the whole story and I mean a very Jewish picture of the Bible then we missed the entire context. It would be absolute foolishness / ignorance to try and separate the two. My reformed theology requires we not separate the two.
I can agree with everything you have said in a way that was really resonating until it was pitted against reformed theology. I can’t understand why?
I guess reformers are no different than anyone else in a way. There are only two paths for any of us. One narrow and one wide. Most take the wrong path. Even happens to “reformers”.
I know I’m not as well educated as most here on so maybe I’m missing something.
It’s about the core substrate of that doctrine—it’s quite nuanced. There are 1-pointers, 3-pointers, 5-pointers, and then there’s John Piper. When I write side notes like that, they are blanket statements addressing the core . I appreciate you speaking up; it will help others see your perspective as well. Very thankful.
The early Church of Christ, prior to 200 AD, did not operate under the top-down hierarchy we see today, where a single pastor assumes control over all aspects of ministry. This approach, where one man attempts to fulfill the entire five-fold ministry, is a form of trespassing—akin to a business employee overstepping into another department to control functions beyond their authority.
In the divine structure, the Logos (as I see it) is the true Manager, and all workers are required to seek and follow His direction. My family embraces this reality, referring to our submission as following "our Manager." We witness His guidance in our daily lives, whether through small provisions or significant direction, always trusting in His wisdom.
A commonly misquoted scripture, James 1:22, urges believers: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says [poietai logou].” The key here is poietai—"doers"—which implies action, not just intellectual assent. However, the "word" Rhema in this passage is not merely scripture, but the voice of the Holy Spirit calling for obedient action throughout every part of the day.
The modern pastoral system often places emphasis on formal credentials, which can lead to pride and reliance on head knowledge rather than true spiritual wisdom. Many pastors, trained in seminaries, have inherited and perpetuated doctrines from men—sometimes even from demonic sources—rather than submitting to the Holy Spirit’s direct correction. Their credentials become a badge of authority, enabling them to override others who have not followed the same academic path.
This raises critical questions: Has the pastor truly learned to walk in the Spirit? How much of their "hearing" is filtered through human traditions rather than direct instruction from the Father? How many hours have they spent allowing the Spirit to correct bad theology? If they claim to be feeding the sheep, what exactly are they feeding them? Are they providing fresh nourishment, or merely regurgitating theological leftovers from ages past?
True leadership in Christ's body is not about control or hierarchy but about submission—to the Logos, to the Spirit, and to the order established by God. Those who lead must first be led. Those who teach must first be taught by the only true Teacher. Anything else is man’s system, not God’s.
You have been a light to me. You are the only person I have ever dealt with from that side of the theological aisle who has been kind and engaging. I am very thankful for that, too. I appreciate you.
This is the clearest explanation of the basic Truth, as I know it, that I've ever read. What a joy, brother. Thank you, Yeshua.
Well done brother! You've laid it out in a comprehensive, clear way that anyone can see the truth. It makes me glad that as I reflect on this I see my church being shepherded in the proper way. This should be a must read for all aspiring church leaders.
Hug your pastor! That gives me hope because it is a rarity nowadays. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment; I appreciate it more than you know! Have a blessed weekend, brother! Shalom!
Not all who are reformed fit the molds you’re referring too. I know I don’t.
Paul uses deacon and elder interchangeably and they both aim towards serving humbly like Yeshua. We teach this. No bishops no priests no apostles none of those silly titles.
If we don’t have the whole story and I mean a very Jewish picture of the Bible then we missed the entire context. It would be absolute foolishness / ignorance to try and separate the two. My reformed theology requires we not separate the two.
I can agree with everything you have said in a way that was really resonating until it was pitted against reformed theology. I can’t understand why?
I guess reformers are no different than anyone else in a way. There are only two paths for any of us. One narrow and one wide. Most take the wrong path. Even happens to “reformers”.
I know I’m not as well educated as most here on so maybe I’m missing something.
What is it?
It’s about the core substrate of that doctrine—it’s quite nuanced. There are 1-pointers, 3-pointers, 5-pointers, and then there’s John Piper. When I write side notes like that, they are blanket statements addressing the core . I appreciate you speaking up; it will help others see your perspective as well. Very thankful.
The early Church of Christ, prior to 200 AD, did not operate under the top-down hierarchy we see today, where a single pastor assumes control over all aspects of ministry. This approach, where one man attempts to fulfill the entire five-fold ministry, is a form of trespassing—akin to a business employee overstepping into another department to control functions beyond their authority.
In the divine structure, the Logos (as I see it) is the true Manager, and all workers are required to seek and follow His direction. My family embraces this reality, referring to our submission as following "our Manager." We witness His guidance in our daily lives, whether through small provisions or significant direction, always trusting in His wisdom.
A commonly misquoted scripture, James 1:22, urges believers: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says [poietai logou].” The key here is poietai—"doers"—which implies action, not just intellectual assent. However, the "word" Rhema in this passage is not merely scripture, but the voice of the Holy Spirit calling for obedient action throughout every part of the day.
The modern pastoral system often places emphasis on formal credentials, which can lead to pride and reliance on head knowledge rather than true spiritual wisdom. Many pastors, trained in seminaries, have inherited and perpetuated doctrines from men—sometimes even from demonic sources—rather than submitting to the Holy Spirit’s direct correction. Their credentials become a badge of authority, enabling them to override others who have not followed the same academic path.
This raises critical questions: Has the pastor truly learned to walk in the Spirit? How much of their "hearing" is filtered through human traditions rather than direct instruction from the Father? How many hours have they spent allowing the Spirit to correct bad theology? If they claim to be feeding the sheep, what exactly are they feeding them? Are they providing fresh nourishment, or merely regurgitating theological leftovers from ages past?
True leadership in Christ's body is not about control or hierarchy but about submission—to the Logos, to the Spirit, and to the order established by God. Those who lead must first be led. Those who teach must first be taught by the only true Teacher. Anything else is man’s system, not God’s.
I do enjoy your teaching. It has been mazon for me.
You have been a light to me. You are the only person I have ever dealt with from that side of the theological aisle who has been kind and engaging. I am very thankful for that, too. I appreciate you.
Totally agree. This is how to show the way.
Let’s continue to forge this bond.
💯👊