Should "pastors & preachers" be unreachable? What is the purpose of church in today's society?

Question

If you are a leader in a church should it get to the point that people cannot even talk to you like a human being anymore? That you have to go through a chain of command to get to them. Should we really try to class christians by their titles? Does that really make them more "spiritually sound" that the people "church" calls "lay member"? Where in the bible did Jesus not allow himself to be reached by people who were not associated with the church? Seemed to be the main problem He had was with the people that called themselves the church. What is the purpose for church in today's society?

Answer 1

You make a valid point Alivemiracle.

Pastors, preachers, priests, bishops and even the Pope himself are not any better off then the common layperson. If the call to pastorate is sincerely from God then we should rest assured that that individual is responsible to God to be a "humble servant".

Today, since most churches let politics into it's doors, there have been created that "chain of hierarchy" which you mentioned. Your right, all clergy should be available when needed. They are not holier then thou by no means.

"God rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble". (James 4:6)

Answer 2

It depends on the size of the congregation a pastor is responsible for. There are limits on the number of people that one person can spend quality time with. If congregants don't feel like they are getting sufficient pastoral attention, they should appoint a committee to evaluate how efficiently the pastor is spending his time and if he is lazy or overworked. If he is overwored, then you need to hire an assistant pastor, or some other staff person.

Of course, the true church is not the building or the hierarchy, but the community of saints. The congregation should be attending to each other, sharing each other's joys and burdens.

Don't feel bad. Your question is evidence of a common congregational problem in the US. People come from a variety fo neighborhoods and backgrounds, and may not set eyes on each other between services. This is not the vision I get from the Bible regarding a community of saints (church.)

I bet your congregation has committees or deacons or something. Ask about the problem candidly with someone who knows. I bet that they notice a problem as well as you.

God bless you.

Answer 3

The church of today isn't church anymore, it's more like God Inc. We now have Sunday morning comedy routines with back up singers, preachers who tell how much money God will give you, how healthy God will make you, all because you turned over your life savings to a thief and a liar. Churches for the most part aren't even teaching the message of the cross at all. It's became a social gathering rather than a fellowship of prayer and praise.

Answer 4

All fake faith is the top time holy whore, if a catholic church is raping young infants, stealing from damaging and widows, and so on then that could be a factor of the top time Babylon, and the same holds genuine with all church homes, one fake church ain't plenty better than yet another. although, shop 2 Thessalonians 2 in concepts, the financial disaster says that the LORD won't return for His 2d coming till a brilliant falling away occurs, and this we see in almost all church homes who turn from Christ, their previous flame to worldliness and appeasing the flesh.

Answer 5

The first answer from weemaryanne is witty and just about sums up a general feeling that I have a great deal of sympathy with. Religious leaders have this great ability to be puffed up and fall in love with the sound of their own voices, me included sadly. One wonders if it would not be better for everyone if we heard less from them.
It is not just the obligation of the religious to seek out understanding and learning, but the obligation of all able minded human beings. In religious environments it is the duty of all the faithful to be informed and so when there is no 'authority' or respected figure, to govern their own actions autonomously. Even when their is a rabbi in the community it is the purpose of the educated community to listen to the rabbi and criticise him/her in cases when they mis-use their authority.
The purpose of the synagogue/church in our cultures is to stop treating human beings as nothing more than targets for conversion but as human beings with rights and real needs that can be met without condition.

Answer 6

A church is descibed in the bible as a body of believers... the church is ment to praise God and Jesus Christ being the son of God... a Preacher/Pastor and all other christains should be willing to always talk about God.

Answer 7

The true Church is within each Christian person, that is especially true today. It has nothing to do with a building. We all have a direct communication to the Almighty. I choose to take the human element out of my spiritual journey. Just God, me, and His Word works for me. That is not to say that it isn't good or helpful to get together in fellowship with a groups of believers. Because it is right to do that. I'm just saying mostly for me it comes down to God and His Word. I take comfort in the Holy Spirit and the truths He has shown me.

Answer 8

Church is, always has been and will always be a business for financial and political gain.

You should be dealing with your spirituality and the things you find that your spirit feels are good.

Everything else is association in society.

Answer 9

all christians should be willing to talk to others christian or none christian and the pastor should be available to all obviusly if it is a huge church with 1000s of members that may be difficult but I do not think a church should ever be so big the pastor does not know all the members of his regular flock

Answer 10

I . myself, am scared to go to church anymore......I used to be very involved; sought different denominations looking for 'true religion', have finally decided to stay home and study and learn God the way I 'think' is the right way, and that is by studying His Word continuously! I am sorry to offend many church goers by my view, but read the verses below, there is so much of if going on!

2Ti 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2Ti 4:4
And they shall turn away * their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.